Note 22 — Chapter XLIII

Fray Francisco de Bonifacio, a native of Sevilla, took his vows in the Salamanca convent in 1586. He was fluent in the language of Cebú, and labored in various missions among the Bisayas (1596–1611). The latter year he was chosen definitor, and in 1614 presided over the chapter. He was minister at Pásig in 1617, at Tondo in 1618, and at Bulacán in 1620. In 1621 he went to Otón, as his presence there was necessary. In 1626, while definitor, he acted as provincial because of the death of Father Becerra, after which period he had care of missions in Luzón, until his death in Manila in 1645. Two manuscripts written by him were conserved in the convent at Cebú.

Fray Vicente Sepúlveda was a native of Castilla, and professed in that province. In the Philippines he became chief sacristan of the Manila convent, and learned thoroughly the Pampanga dialect, ministering in that province for five years. He was definitor in 1611, and provincial in 1614. His term was one of discord because of his rigorous enforcement of the laws passed by the father visitor. In 1617, he was chosen to fill out the term of provincial, that office becoming vacant by the death of Jerónimo de Salas. He was killed August 21, 1617, as the result of a conspiracy of brother Augustinians who were opposed to him.

Fray Diego Gutiérrez was a native of Sigüenza in the province of Guadalajara, and professed in the convent of Agreda in 1574. He went to the Philippines in 1578, where he had charge of various missions in Luzón. He served as definitor during the chapters of 1578 and 1590. His death occurred at Lubao in 1613.

Fray Antonio de Porras was born in Sevilla and professed in the convent of that city. He arrived at Manila in 1598, where he exercised the duty of master of novitiates in the convent. He went to Bisayas instead of Japan which was his chosen field, working there from 1600 to 1639 (the year of his death). He held several important ecclesiastical offices in the Bisayas.

See Pérez’s Catálogo.