Captain Pedro de Brito, a retired aide to the Spanish army chief of staff, is the founder and patron of the House of San Pedro. De Brito made a modest fortune in the Manila galleon trade in the 16th century. He was also a regidor of Manila, whose post was adjudged to him at public auction for one thousand four hundred pesos of common gold, with the third part of what was promised from the increase. He took possession of his post on 24 June 1589.