He was born in Mexico in 1549, arrived in the islands now called Philippines in 1565 already at 16 years of age.
He was assigned as Captain by his grandfather for his sucess in Panay Island with his brother Felipe.

In 1570, at the age of 21 with 300 pintados, who can be anyone of the people of Cebu, Bohol and Panay, Martin de Goiti leading, conquered Manila.

He died at the age of 27 after defeating Limahong, who was holed up in Pangasinan and later escaped.

There were several controversies on his accomplishments and death.
He conquered Southern Tagalog areas and Paracale, Bicol. He never completed the conquest that someone ended up reconquering the area, but he came back from the area with large cache of gold.

He died and his bones was sent to Manila a year later, but without his head.

He died by drinking "bad water" while in a mine in Ilocos, probably poisoned.

Legazpi's replacement arriving from New Spain didn't trust him nor the temporary gov-general Guido de Lavezariz. His accounts of the events as soon as he arrived were full of complaints to the crown.

Including the fact that Limahong was allowed to escape.

He died at home of a fever, and is buried at San Agustin Church in Intramuros.

There was several accounts on where he died, but two agreed that he died while visiting his mines. but almost all accounts agreed that he contracted a heavy fever after drinking water.

His body was taken to St. Aguston Church a year later with his head missing.