New Christians in The Philippines

Introduction to the New Christian Presence in the Philippines

    There appear to have been New Christians in The Philippines, largely connected to the lucrative Manila-Acapulco trade route.

    Key Figures in Philippine Sephardic Jewish History

      Antonio Báez de Acevedo

      • Mayor of Pampanga, Philippines
      • Arrested for judaising in 1647; case active until 1661
      • Possible brother: Sebastian Báez de Acevedo
      • Beatriz Vaz de Acevedo: Wife of licenciado Sebastian Mendez, a lawyer in Mexico
      • Sebastian Vazquez de Acevedo: Possibly the same person as Sebastian Báez de Acevedo

      Other Notable Mentions

      • Beatriz de Acevedo: Widow of Alfonso Báez de Acevedo
      • Nuño Rodríguez de Acevedo: Brother of Beatriz, died in Nicaragua (possibly Portuguese-born)

      Manila Trade Connections

      • Simon Vaez Sevilla (Mexico)
      • Pedro de Campos (exporter of cacao from Caracas to Mexico)

      Historical Context: The Manila Galleon Trade

        • Annual trade route between Manila and Acapulco
        • Chinese merchants from Fujian brought valuable goods
        • Spanish silver was the primary exchange commodity
        • Additional trade route via Malacca between Manila and India

        Early Inquisition Cases in The Philippines

          • Jorge and Domingo Rodriguez: New Christian brothers from Mexico
          • Arrested in Manila, transported to Mexico
          • Convicted in an auto-da-fe in Mexico City in 1593
          • Possible family origins: Village of Acevedo near Pontevedra, Galicia
          • Potential Portuguese connections through Nuño Rodríguez de Acevedo

          Resources for Further Research on New Christians in The Philippines