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<img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-25/domingo-de-salazar.avif" alt="Domingo de Salazar" />
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(Domingo de Salazar in 1581, first bishop of Manila)
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Born in 1512 in Labragan de Rio, Spain, Salazar joined the Dominican Order as a young man, dedicating his life to religious service. His journey to the Philippines began in 1581 when, at the age of 69, he was appointed the inaugural Bishop of Manila by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_XIII" class="news-link-ext">Pope Gregory XIII</a>. Arriving in the islands in 1581, he stepped into a fledgling colony still grappling with the challenges of Spanish conquest and evangelization.
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Salazar quickly distinguished himself as more than just a spiritual leader. At a time when colonial authorities often exploited indigenous populations, he became a vocal defender of the natives' rights. He condemned the abuses inflicted by Spanish encomenderos - landholders granted control over native labor - and urged reforms to alleviate their suffering. His bold stance often put him at odds with colonial officials, but it earned him respect as a protector of the marginalized.
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Today in Filipino History, December 4, 1594, Msgr. Domingo de Salazar died‏