onaries felt the need
of electing a provincial. Accordingly a general assembly was called,
and in the early part of May, 1572, Martin de Rada was elected
provincial--"a person of whom we have said so much and of whom we
shall say much, and of whom there is plenty to say; for he was a
subject worthy of all things, and his memory is as green today in
the islands as if he were alive; and his achievements are extolled by
Spaniards and Indians, who hold his sayings as prophecies.... In this
assembly the priests had a vote, for as there were no fixed convents,
and all were participating in the same labor, the responsibility of
voting was divided among them all. The first thing that they discussed
after the election was the despatching of a religious to Nueva Espana,
and thence to Espana, to give account of the condition of the province,
and of their ministry; and to request religious for the continuation
of the work, and permission for our most reverend father to divide
the province among them with full authority of proceeding in their
elections and government, as in the other provinces which are not
dependent." Diego de Herrera was chosen for this mission, and left
Manila in the beginning of August, 1572. The new provincial set
vigorously to work, "correcting, if there were aught to be corrected,
anything in those first laborers that gave the lie to the perfection
that they were professing (and in religious any puerility gives the lie
to perfection, just as in a beautiful face any mark shows out, however
small it be). The religious are the face of the community, the most
unblemished of it, and all men are looking at them. Consequently there
must be nothing that gives the lie to it; for, however slight it be, it
must be immediately seen." Convents, churches, and houses, "not costly,
but with the moderation of that time," were erected. Medina continues:]

... A convent was established in the town of Taal. There is a lake
there, generally known as the lake of Bongbong. Its water is salt, and
so deep that the bottom cannot be reached in some parts. It is about
forty leguas in circumference, counting in its gulfs and bays. [56]
Shad are caught there, or rather tunny-fish, which, although not
like those of Espana, still approximate to them. The lake empties
through a river into the sea. When the Spaniards went there, this lake
swarmed with people. It is twelve or thirteen leguas from Manila. Its
chief town was this Taal,