Alonso Fajardo de Entenza facts for kids

Alonso Fajardo de Entenza was an important Spanish leader. He served as the Governor-General and Captain-General of the Philippines. He held this powerful position from July 3, 1618, until he passed away in July 1624.

Who Was Governor Fajardo?

Alonso Fajardo de Entenza was born in Murcia, Spain. His father was Admiral Luis Fajardo. His mother was Luisa de Tenza. Alonso was also a Knight of the Order of Alcántara, a special Spanish military order.

He arrived in Cavite, Philippines, on July 2, 1618. The very next day, he officially became the Governor. Before him, a group called the Audiencia (a high court) in Manila had been in charge. They took over after the previous governor, Juan de Silva, died in 1616.

Defending Manila from the Dutch

One of Governor Fajardo's first big challenges was a blockade by the Dutch. This was the sixth time the Dutch had tried to block Manila. It lasted from October 12, 1618, to May 1619.

To get ready, Governor Fajardo sent a ship to Macau in September 1618. This ship bought ammunition and traded goods. He also sent a Dominican priest, Father Bartolomé Martínez, to warn the Chinese. He told them not to send their trading ships, called sampans, to Manila. This was because the Dutch fleet would surely capture them.

In May 1619, some Japanese ships arrived in Manila. The Dutch allowed them to enter the harbor. At the same time, Governor Fajardo was getting his own fleet ready. He managed to gather two large ships, two medium ships, two smaller ships called pataches, and four galleys (ships powered by oars).

When the Dutch saw that the Spanish were ready to fight, they left Manila. They then attacked a local town in Ilocos before leaving the archipelago (a group of islands). Some Dutch ships were reportedly sunk near Ilocos.

Exploring for Gold

In February 1620, Governor Fajardo sent an expedition. It was led by Captain García de Aldana y Cabrera, who was the Governor of Pangasinan. Their mission was to find and take control of gold mines. These mines were said to be owned by Indigenous people in Itogon.

The expedition reached a place called Bua. They found it had been burned down. However, they built a fort there and named it Santísima Trinidad. They inspected the mines. Some were very deep and had good drainage systems. But many were filled with water. Only one mine seemed to have a lot of gold ore. This mine was about twenty meters deep and wide. Around eight hundred Ygolotes (Indigenous people) had been working on it.

Other Important Events

In 1621, Governor Fajardo established the Convent of Santa Clara. This was a place for nuns.

In 1623, Governor Fajardo stopped a rebellion in the Visayas region.

His Passing

In July 1624, Governor Fajardo passed away. It was said he died from sadness, or "melancholy." After his death, the Audiencia (the high court) took over again. They governed until a new Viceroy, Fernándo de Silva, arrived from New Spain in June 1625.

Alonso Fajardo de Entenza's nephew, Diego Fajardo Chacón, also became Governor of the Philippines later, from 1644 to 1653.

See also

In Spanish: Alonso Fajardo de Tenza para niños