The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 35, 1640-1649

In the tumultuous 1640s the Philippine archipelago stood at the intersection of faith, conflict, and natural calamity. Spanish galleons tied Manila to the New World while Dutch fleets pressed from the east, provoking a series of naval skirmishes. At the same time, the Dominican, Franciscan and Recollect orders grappled with maintaining their missions among a restless populace.

The Dutch capture of Formosa devastated the Dominicans, while Recollect priests faced fierce Moro raids in Mindanao and the Visayas. Local uprisings—most notably the 1639 Cagayán revolt—combined with a devastating 1645 earthquake and costly galleon losses to strain the colony. Yet a missionary called “Father Captain” earned fame for his bravery and devotion.

The volume is richly illustrated with period maps, sketches of Manila, and vivid depictions of native life, giving listeners a visual sense of the era. Drawing on contemporary chronicles, it offers a nuanced portrait of a society caught between external threats and internal change.