In a 1588 memo that King Felipe II of Spain sent to Nuevo España (Mexico), he arranged that, "doze yeguas, y dos cavallos, veinte y quatro vacas y dos toros" (12 mares, 2 horses, 24 cows, and 2 bulls) be shipped to the Philippines at a cost of 4, 000 pesos to the royal treasury. This was to supplement the fledgling colony's supply of cattle.
An earlier report made by the Royal Audencia in 1585, announced the arrival of imported cattle from China. These Chinese and Mexican breeds of cattle formed the DNA of present-day Philippine bovine.
The various religious orders propagated estancias de ganado or cattle ranches to help sustain their missions. Ranches were founded in Batangas, Iloilo, Laguna, Tayabas, Pangasinan, Masbate, Nueva Ecija, Bicol, and Cebu. Cattle were raised free-ranged throughout these rancherias.
Cattle ranches in Cebu were established by the Augustinians in their Talisay Estate while the Jesuits (before their 1867 expulsion) formed the Estancia de Mandaue. After the ranches, settlements followed since people flocked where food and work are readily available.
With the arrival of the Spanish, beef became part of the Philippine diet.
Reference:
Bullfighting in the Philippines 1602-2022 by Gaspar A. Vibal, Vibal Foundation, Inc. 2022
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