The first island conquered and colonized by the Spaniards was Sebu. [43] From there the conquest was started and continued in all the neighboring islands.  Those islands are inhabited by people, natives of the same islands, called Vicayas; or by another name, Pintados—­for the more prominent of the men, from their youth, tattoo their whole bodies, by pricking them wherever they are marked and then throwing certain black powders over the bleeding surface, the figures becoming indelible.  But, as the chief seat of the government, and the principal Spanish settlement, was moved to the island of Luzon—­the largest island, and that one nearest and opposite to Great China and Japon—­I shall treat of it first; for much that will be said of it is similar in the others, to each of whose particulars and distinctive details I shall pass in due time.

This island of Luzon extends lengthwise, from the point and head where one enters the Filipinas Islands (by the channel of Capul, which lies in thirteen and one-half degrees north latitude) to the other point in the province of Cagayan, called Cape Bojeador (and located opposite China, in twenty degrees), more than two hundred leguas.  In some parts its width is more constricted than in others, especially in the middle of the island, where it is so narrow that it is less than thirty leguas from sea to sea, or from one coast to the other.  The whole island is more than four hundred leguas in circumference.

The climates of this island are not harmonious; on the contrary, they present a great diversity in its different districts and provinces.  The head and beginning of the island, in the region of the channel, is more temperate in the interior, although the coasts are hot.  The site of the city of Manila is hot, for it is on the coast and is low; but in its vicinity, quite near the city, there are districts and settlements much cooler, where the heat is not oppressive.  The same is true of the other head of the island, opposite China, named Cagayan.  The seasons of the year—­winter and summer—­are contrary to those in Europe; for the rains generally last in all these islands from the month of June until the month of September, and are accompanied by heavy showers, whirlwinds, and storms on sea and land.  The summer lasts from October to the end of May, with clear skies and fair winds at sea.  However, the winter and rainy season begins earlier in some provinces than in others. [44] In Cagayan winter and summer almost coincide with those of Espana, and come at the same seasons.

The people inhabiting the province of Camarines and almost as far as the provinces of Manila, in this great island of Luzon, both along the coast and in the interior, are natives of this island.  They are of medium height, with a complexion like stewed quinces; and both men and women are well-featured.  They have very black hair, and thin beards; and are very clever at anything that they undertake, keen and passionate, and of great resolution.  All live from their labor and gains in the field, their fishing, and trade, going from island to island by sea, and from province to province by land.