reelected him so that they might enjoy him for the second time; for in truth he had been a father to them.  Hence he was elected unanimously, May 6, 1593.  His election was very favorably received in the islands, for he was always much loved by his own and by others; and he always showed great judgment, preserving the province during his two trienniums in that flower and rigor of devotion which it had at first, and also glorifying the province with the new inauguration of houses and convents.

He established a religious in Pototan, a village then ruined; [144] and that village, as it was so small, was united, above Suagui, with another called Baong. [145] Accordingly, a church was built there.  This convent of Baong had more than one thousand Indians, and was a well-known place for recreation; but now, although it endures, it has but six hundred Indians.  As it is remote from trade, and situated inland, residence there is regarded as exile.  It is one day’s journey from Dumangas, and its river empties into that of Alaguer.

This chapter also established religious in Sibucao, a matter of one legua from the Suagui River, up the river Alaguer.  The road also turned from Dumangas by ascending the river, although by land the journey is shorter.  This convent was very well located here, for, in short, it is within sight of so gloomy [146] a river, and very convenient for the religious.  Afterward the fathers thought that they were acting wisely in moving the convent one-half day’s journey inland to a village called Laglag, very inconvenient for the religious.  But indeed it is apparent how the fathers of former days sought rather the comfort of the natives than their own convenience; accordingly, wherever they found the most people, there they went.  This convent has more than one thousand Indians, and two religious live there ordinarily.  It is one of the good convents of the province of Bisayas, and has a wooden church. [147]

The bishop of Sugbu, Don Fray Pedro de Agurto, bestowed the district of Salog upon the province, as I have said before.  It is very near the port and fort of Ilong-ilong.  It is an excellent port, and has now been improved through becoming the property of his Majesty.  This convent has more than one thousand Indians in charge, and generally has two religious.  Its chief center is on the coast, or rather, near the coast, on a fine river, and its visitas are inland.

Religious were established also in the village of Octong, one of the chief villages of the Bisayas.  That convent has a vote, and is in charge of more than one thousand two hundred Indians. [148] It is one-eighth legua from the village of Arevalo.  This village was well inhabited, and the people spread along that coast.  The Dutch burned it once, as well as the convents of Salog and Tigbauan; but it was rebuilt, better than ever.  In regard to the people along the coast, they have diminished greatly, for the ravages [of pirates] on that coast are frightful.