dence, and proved what
an excellent provincial he would have made. Yet he was not, on that
account, neglectful of his house of Manila, but governed it with
strictness, which even became greater. He enriched the choir with
beautiful stalls of inlaid work and wood, which, after many years,
are still in excellent condition. He built the largest room in Manila,
namely, the porter's room. Afterward, while provincial, he aided in the
further progress of the work. That house owes more to him than to any
other. Our father visitor chose as his associate father Fray Estacio
Ortiz, [20] who had also been his associate when he went to begin
the [work of the] order in Japon. As he knew his talents and prudence
through that long association, the father visitor thought that he could
make no better choice of one to whom to entrust an office of so great
secrecy than this man whom he considered so good. Therefore as soon as
he reached Manila, he appointed Father Ortiz as such, and therein he
did exceeding well. For, as has been proved, he is the most prudent
man who has come to the Filipinas, very silent, very long-suffering,
and above all, a most devout religious. The province, aware of this,
has never allowed him any rest, but has always entrusted to him the
offices of greatest weight and honor; and he has given most strict
account of them, to the very signal interest of the order. He has
twice been prior of Manila, which place is the rock of experience,
and where each one shows his talents. Both times he labored hard,
performed much, and ruled that convent in all strictness. He was
prior of Sugbu, as well as visitor and definitor of the province at
the same time, and prior of many convents. He ever bore the name of
provincial, to which office he was not elected--not for lack of merit,
but of fortune, which is not always equal; and the lots go by pairs.

Our father visitor-general began, then, his visit through the
Tagal province Pampanga, and Ilocos, and kept for the following
triennium what remained in the Pintados. He was not limited in time,
and therefore, went slowly. Everywhere he exhibited great prudence
and wisdom, as the religious recognized, and he knew how to carry
himself with them. He provided what he saw was most essential to
the perfection of the province, which he thought to establish with
the earnestness demanded by his care and devotion, and by disposing
their minds to observe what he was teaching them by word and pre