Experts consider “Historia General de Filipinas”, an XVIII-century work of the Augustinian Recollect Juan de la Concepcion, as the best history of the Philippine archipelago. The best and most complete due to the 14 volumes that covered the history of the islands from 1521 to 1760. And more, the work includes also ample narrative of the history of neighboring countries like China, Japan or Taiwan.
Juan de la Concepcion was born in Madrid in 1724. He professed in the same city when he was only 16 years old. He volunteered to go to the Philippine in 1749, although the expedition reached the islands only four years after. He spent the rest of his life in the islands until his death in 1786. He was a missionary, a professor and even became a prior provincial.
Historia General de Filipinas, although not the only work of Juan de la Concepcion, is the only one published. It was done posthumously. The first volumes appeared in 1788, two years after his death. The last three volumes were published in 1792. Book lovers and researchers from all over the world treasure today the 14-volume “Historia General de Filipinas”, a prominent Filipino cultural patrimony.
Identity
The Filipino archipelago, formed by more than 7,000 islands is, by culture and history and as a Spanish colony for almost four centuries, a westernized country.
The Augustinian Recollects, one of the five Orders who came to the islands, did not only bring evangelization, but also helped in laying the foundations of the culture and the identity of the archipelago.
It is not surprising that in academic circles, especially in Spanish universities, the Philippines is object of research. There is this specialization called, “Filipiniana.” In this the Augustinian Recollect presence is constantly recognized, and much more in the areas of culture and history.