Alonso Fajardo de Tenza

Don Alonso Fajardo de Tenza y de Guevara, Córdoba y Velasco, Knight of Alcantara, Lord of Espinardo (died July 1624, in the Philippines) was Spanish Governor-General and Captain-General of the Islands of the Philippines from 3 July 1618 until his death.

He took over from the Audiencia of Manila, which had been governing the colony since 1616 in the absence (and later death) of the previous Viceroy, Juan de Silva.

Anticipating the blockade, Governor Fajardo sent a ship to Macau in September 1618 to buy ammunition, to engage in trade and, through the embassy of Dominican Father Bartolomé Martínez, to warn the Chinese against sending sampans to Manila, as they would surely be intercepted by the Dutch fleet.

An inspection of the mines showed them to be comparatively deep and provided with an extensive drainage system, although some were filled with water.

According to legend, tamarind trees spontaneously grew on the spot, which is said to be the symbol of the couple's bitter-sweet love affair.