Doctrina Christiana The first book printed in the Philippines, Manila, 1593.

A scholarly journey opens with a meticulous introduction that places the 1593 Manila volume at the heart of Philippine printing history. The author thanks the many librarians and researchers whose cooperation made this facsimile possible, setting a collaborative tone for the investigation that follows.

The text then unfolds like a literary detective story, guiding listeners through four main inquiries: the physical makeup of the rare book, the evidence confirming its status as the first printed work in the archipelago, the mystery of its unknown author, and the technical details of its early press. Along the way, vivid descriptions of the fragile paper, the relentless tropical insects, and historic fires that erased countless copies bring the challenges of preservation to life.

Interwoven with careful analysis of archival clues and past scholarship, the work paints a picture of how a single surviving copy survived centuries of decay and upheaval. Listeners will come away with a deeper appreciation for the perseverance of early scholars and the remarkable resilience of this cultural treasure.