[2] Bukaneg was a foundling, who shortly after his birth was already floating in a basket between Bantay and Vigan in the Banaoang River was found by an old woman.

[3] He took lessons in Latin and Spanish and also learned the local languages and Ilocano Isneg.

Ilocano epic Biag ni Lam-ang is attributed to Bukaneg by some authors and historians.

Bukaneg was also largely responsible for Arte de la Lengue Iloca, the first grammar book of the Ilocano of Brother Francisco Lopez, which was printed in 1627[5] by the University of Santo Tomas.

In his honor, a street in the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex in Pasay is named after him.