At this time Father Quinones, [140] a son of the house at Mejico, died among the Tagals.  The Indians cannot forget his life, for his penances and mortifications were great, and he is commonly regarded as a saint.  He worked hard in his ministry, and gave the Indians excellent instruction.  He compiled a grammar and lexicon of the Tagal language, and he was the first one to give the rules of the Tagal mode of speech, so that the mysteries of our redemption could be declared better to the Indians by one talking their language perfectly.  He was learned, and graduated in both laws; but he did not preach because of an impediment in his speech, which was somewhat stammering....

[It is related that what was considered his body was found in 1634 [141] to be in perfect preservation.  Father Munoz died while still a young man.]

Chapter XXVIII

Of the election of our fathet Fray Juan de Valderrama

When the time for the election came, namely, May 22, 1590, all the capitulars, who were now coming from all parts, assembled.  They came from the Bisayas in their caracoas, and from llocos, some by land and some by sea, for the election.  Those among the Tagals and in Pampanga were living nearer, and accordingly, without being absent over Lent from their missions, they came at the critical moment and entered Manila at the time set by our rules.  Finally, all assembled, and considered and consulted in regard to the person most suitable, in their opinion, for the good and welfare of the province.  That, to my way of thinking, is what the religious always take by the horns, as men who place the common welfare before the spiritual (or rather, private) good.  Finally, they thought that father Fray Juan de Henao (or rather, Valderrama) was the man most suitable for that occasion.  Accordingly, they elected him, and his election was a most fortunate event, for he was very religious and very devoted to his institution.  Hence he governed with great prudence and devotion.

During his term some new priorates were established, which seemed advisable for the good government and administration of the Indians.  Among them was that of Arayat, located in the farthest corner of Pampanga.  It had a goodly population at the beginning, but now the population has dwindled to less than one hundred Indians; [142] for on one side the Zambales, and on the other the conscriptions, have been consuming them, as is seen at present in other districts.  He also established religious and visited the provinces very carefully, and provided in all things quite in accordance with the obligation of our calling.