This brief biography of the priors and rectors of the Convento de Santo Niño, (San Agustin Church) and then became Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu is from the Catálogo bio-bibliográfico de los religiosos agustinos de la provincia del Santísimo Nombre de Jesús de las Islas Filipinas by Pérez, Elviro J., O. S. A., and printed by Establecimiento Tipográfico del Colegio de Santo Tomás, Manila in 1901.

With the assistance of artificial intelligence, we have been able to produce a preliminary translation of the text, offering a glimpse into the lives of the Augustinian friars who devoted themselves to the service of the Church, particularly to the Santo Niño, the Child Jesus. Each friar’s name is linked to the original sources, drawn from the digital copy of the book made available by the University of Santo Tomas Miguel de Benavides Library and Archives.

While this is not a rigorous scholarly work, it represents an earnest effort to present information that may serve as a foundation for more in-depth and precise future studies. (compiled by GPL, OSA)

_________________________________

♦ Fray Alonso Jimenez, OSA – (1575)

A native of Málaga and a son of the convent of Mexico, where he professed his religious vows in 1558. Driven by his ardent zeal for the salvation of souls, he arrived in Cebu in 1569, participated in the first Provincial Chapter, and was appointed missionary for the entire southern region of Luzon in that memorable assembly.

As the first apostle of the islands of Masbate, Leyte, Samar, and Burias, he ventured into their dense forests, boldly planting the banner of the cross wherever he found a soul to convert. He had the immense satisfaction of baptizing the régulo (chieftain) of the island of Burias.

From there, he traveled to Ibalon, in the province of Camarines, where he resided for some time, baptized many principal natives, built a small church, and fearlessly journeyed through the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon, converting numerous settlements and establishing towns.

He was always a man of holy and blameless life, deeply devoted to prayer. In Cebu, where he served as Prior (1575), he was occasionally restrained from his harsh penances. He possessed the gift of tongues and is known as the first polyglot of the islands.

Filled with merit, he passed into eternal life at the Convent of Santo Niño in Cebu in August 1577. He also composed a Catechism of Christian Doctrine in the Bicol language, as recorded by Fr. Agustín María in his Osario. (Page 9)

_________________________________

♦ Fray Tarique Cristobal, OSA – (1582)

A religious man of exceptional virtue and knowledge, he served as Confessor and Preacher to the Spaniards in Manila (1578) and later took charge of pastoral duties in Pasig and Tondo in 1581 and 1582, respectively. In 1582, he was appointed Prior of the Convent of Santo Niño in Cebu, and in 1585, he became a Lecturer and Definitor.

After completing the terms of these roles, he continued to distinguish himself through his tireless activity and zeal. He was assigned to Otón in 1586, to Candaba in 1587, to Malolos in 1595, and to Lubao in 1591. He passed away around 1594, full of years and merit. (page 20)

_________________________________

♦ Fray Bartolome Alcantara, OSA – (1584)

An exemplary religious of the Province of Castile, he served as the first minister of Tanay in Negros in 1581, Tinabaga in 1583, and Panay and Otón until 1584, when he was appointed Prior of the Convent of Cebu.

After completing his three-year term, he took on pastoral duties in the town of Halaud (Iloilo) and later extended his ardent zeal to the Tagalog provinces. With the perseverance of an apostle, he administered the ministries of Batangas in 1588, Parañaque in 1589, Pasig in 1591, Bombón or Taal in 1596, Hagonoy in 1599, Bay in 1605, Tanauan in 1608, Taguig in 1617, Tambobong in 1620, Bigaa in 1621, Quingua in 1623, and finally Caruyan in 1624.

He also served as Definitor in 1593. He passed away in the town of Caruyan in 1625, leaving behind an imperishable legacy due to his remarkable dedication and tireless activity. (Page 21)

_________________________________

♦ Fray Miguel de Siguenza, OSA – (1593)

A religious professed in the renowned convent of Burgos in 1579. He served as minister of the town of Antique in 1581, of Panay in 1582 and 1591, of Oton and Tigbauan in 1584, of Bantayan in 1587, of Batangas in 1589, of Bulacan in 1590, of Halaud in 1596, and of Potol in 1599. He was also Prior of the convent of Cebu in 1593, Secretary of the Province in 1602, and Visitator in Tagalos in the same year. Subsequently, he carried out pastoral duties in Hagonoy in 1605 and in Calumpit until his death in 1607. (page 67)

♦ Fray Gabriel Pernia, OSA – (1605)

A religious from the convent of Madrid and an tireless minister in the towns of Bantayan (1593), Potól (1596), Passi (1597), Sibucao (1600), and San Nicolás in 1607. He served as Definitor, Visitor, and Prior of the Convent of Santo Niño twice (1605 and 1618), as well as Prior of Manila from 1613 to 1619, after which he was assigned to the Tagalog region. He then ministered for many years in Hagonoy, Guiguinto, and Taguig. He passed away in 1646, after a long life of service and merit. (page 39)

_________________________________

♦ Fray Alonso Baraona, OSA – (1607)

A native of Quintanario, in the province of Burgos, he professed his vows at the convent of said city in 1596 and served as Prior of Santo Niño in 1607. He was an accomplished minister in Dumangas in 1608, Batan in 1609, Jaro in 1610, Aclán in 1613, and Passi in 1614. He also held the positions of Definitor, Prior Provincial in 1617, and minister of Bay in 1623. Always conducting himself as a religious man of great virtue and learning, he earned the respect and affection of both his peers and the community. He passed away in the Lord in 1626. (page 76)

_________________________________

♦ Fray Francisco de Bonifacio – (1607)

A native of Segovia, he was a son of the renowned convent of Salamanca, where he took his religious vows in 1586 and completed his studies with remarkable success. A distinguished master of the Cebuano language, he served as a parish priest in Bantayan in 1596 and in San Nicolás de Cebu from 1600 until 1607, when he was appointed Prior of Santo Niño. He was elected First Definitor in 1611 and President of the Provincial Chapter in 1614. Additionally, he served as minister of Pasig in 1617, Tondo in 1618, and Bulacan in 1620. In 1621, he traveled to Oton due to the necessity of his presence on that island. Serving again as Definitor in 1626, he assumed governance of the Province as Provincial Rector the following year, after the death of N. P. Becerra and the resignation of V. P. Méntrida. After his term, he was assigned to Taguig (1632), Malate (1635), and once again to Taguig. He passed away in Manila, leaving an imperishable reputation for his great holiness. (page 37).

_________________________________

♦ Fray Eustaquio Ortiz, OSA – (1614)

♦ Fray Andres Puertas, OSA – (1748, 1750, 1753, 1765, and 1769)

Aragonese, a son of the most observant convent of Zaragoza. He was born in Brea and donned the habit of Our Great Father Saint Augustine in 1727. He was a religious man of great intellect, a Lector in his Province, and in that of the Philippines, an exemplary minister in Capiz (1744), Jaro (1756), and Argao (1759 and 1762). He served as Definitor (1753), Visitor of Cebu, Synodal Examiner, Ecclesiastical Judge, Qualifier of the Holy Office, and Prior of the Convent of Santo Niño (1748, 1750, 1753, 1765, and 1769). A fervently devoted follower of the Patron of our Province and a lover of beautifying the celebrated sanctuary of Cebu, the cradle of our glories in the Philippines, the zealous Father Puertas spared no effort to achieve that most noble goal.

His death, which occurred on May 18, 1780, prompted the Cebuano people to express the affection they had always felt for the aged and venerable Prior of Santo Niño.

He wrote in the Panayano language:

1. Moral Sermons, 3 volumes, all in manuscript.
2. Cases of Conscience, 2 volumes, likewise in manuscript.

Both works were of immense interest to the Fathers serving as ministers in that era, not only for their teachings but also for the refined language in which they were written. (page 270)

♦ Fray Luis Torreblanca, OSA – (1762 and 1777)

He was born in Querétaro (Mexico) in 1723 and made his religious profession in the convent of Valladolid in Michoacán in 1745. Assigned to the Visayas, he served as minister in Mambúsao (1754), Capiz (1757), Panay (1759), Jaro (1765), and Tigbauan (1769 and 1774). He was an Ecclesiastical Judge and Prior of the Convent of Santo Niño (1762 and 1777).

Our historians describe him as deeply committed to the practice of all virtues, especially abstinence, frequent prayer, harsh disciplines, and strict silence. He passed away in 1804, while serving as parish priest of Jaro, in a reputation of sanctity, leaving behind, as a testament to his diligence and zeal, a manuscript of Moral Sermons in folio. (page 291)

_________________________________

♦ Fray Juan Albarran, OSA – (1735, 1737)

Albarrán, Juan. A native of San Pablo de los Montes, in the province of Toledo, he was born in 1696 and professed his vows in the renowned convent of said town in 1714. He first administered the Tagalog towns of Tambobong (1723), Angat (1728), Hagonoy (1731), Bauan (1734), Taal (1740), Bulacan (1744), Batangas (1748), Parañaque (1750), and for a second time, Bauan (1753). He later held the positions of Definitor, Qualifier of the Holy Office, Visitor, and Prior of the convents of Santo Niño (1735, 1737), Guadalupe (1742), and Manila (1745).

He built the current church of Santo Niño and a large part of the convent, passing away in Manila in 1761. He is the author of a manuscript titled Arte de construir edificios en Filipinas y Modo de fabricar ladrillos, tejas, cal, etc. (The Art of Constructing Buildings in the Philippines and the Method of Making Bricks, Roof Tiles, Lime, etc.), which is preserved in the archives of Cebu. (Page 237–238)

_________________________________

♦ Fray Juan Alonso, OSA – (1857)

A religious man of exceedingly affable character and utmost simplicity, born in Suárez, in the province of Oviedo, in 1812. He professed his vows at the Valladolid college on July 25, 1832. In Cebu, where he was assigned to learn the local language, he diligently administered the parishes of Dalaguete (1839) and Sibonga (1868–1881). He also served as Prior of Santo Niño (1857), Vocal Prior (1861 and 1865), Visitor, and Provincial Vicar for several years. He passed away with unmistakable signs of divine predestination at the convent of Santo Niño in Cebu on March 23, 1893. He constructed the convent of Dalaguete. (page 446)

_________________________________

♦ Fray Mauricio Alvarez, OSA – (1885)

ÁLVAREZ (Fr. Mauricio). Father Mauricio was born in 1840 in the town of Carrión de los Condes (Palencia). At the age of nineteen, he embraced the religious life, professing his vows at the Valladolid college in 1860. After some time, and before completing his studies but already ordained as a priest, he set sail for these islands in 1864 under the express orders of his legitimate superiors. In Cebu, he quickly mastered the local language, taking charge of the parish of Oslob in 1866, which he administered with great skill and admirable zeal for fifteen years.

Elected Rector of La Vid in 1881, he returned to Spain, where he remained for only two years, fulfilling his duties satisfactorily before resigning from the position in 1883. Upon his return to the Philippines, he resumed the parish of Oslob to the joy of his former parishioners and for their great spiritual benefit until 1885, when he was appointed Prior of the convent of Santo Niño. Later, he served as Definitor of the Province (1889), President of the Chapter (1893), and Provincial and Foreign Vicar (1894). He also served as parish priest in Argao from 1893 to 1896. On January 7, 1896, he passed away saintly at the convent of Cebu, a victim of a serious attack.

His parish ministry in Oslob and Argao is fondly remembered by his former parishioners. As for his burning charity, it needs no mention, as it is well known that he generously helped the poor and needy. His industriousness and eminent virtues are evident from the enthusiasm with which the entire population of Argao annually participated in spiritual exercises and the splendor and majesty with which divine offices were celebrated in both towns.

This tireless parish priest is also credited with the construction of the municipal hall and stone-built schools in Oslob. He was the one who brought attention to the famous sulfuric waters of Mainit, where he built a modest stone church and a small convent to house the sick who came to the baths seeking to cure their ailments. (pages 528–529).

_________________________________

♦ Fray