JUNE 16

1581

In a letter, Governor Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa reports to King Philip II the state of affairs in the newly colonized Philippine islands, particularly the expedition sent, the improving Christianization of native Filipinos, and the financial matters of the new colonial government. He offers suggestions on ways to strengthen Spanish foothold in the island by making the necessary arrangement for the missionaries, dominating the Portuguese in Macau and in Moluccas, and amending a decree to liberate Indian slaves. He ends his letter by asking that the appointment of his stepson Antonio Jufre as treasurer be confirmed and that he be awarded a repatimiento. Governor Peñalosa, who ruled the Philippines from 1580-1583, recommends the establishment of a convent in every town and every city. He establishes the towns of Arevalo in Panay and Nueva Segovia in the Ilocos.


KING PHILIP II OF SPAIN
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REFERENCES:

Peñalosa, Gonzalo Ronquillo. "Letter from Peñalosa to Felipe II." In The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, translated from the originals, edited and annotated by Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson, with historical introduction and additional notes by Edward Gaylord Bourne. Cleveland, Ohio: A.H. Clark Company, 1903-9. Vol. 5, 1582-1583. Pp. 23-33.

Peñalosa, Gonzalo Ronquillo. "Letter from Peñalosa to Felipe II." In Filipiniana.net: Philippine Studies at Your Fingertips. Internet. Available URL: http://www.filipiniana.net/read_content.jsp?filename=200000000020&page=23&epage=23&fpage=23&keyword=sherlock9152584&searchKey=sherlock9152584

Totanes, Henry S. "A Timeline of Philippine History." In Kasaysayan: The Story of the Filipino People. (Vol. 10). Hong Kong: Asia Publishing Company Limited, 1998.