The Spaniard José Alvarez joined the Order of Preachers in the 19th century. in and arrived in 1927. to Peru, where he began his missionary work in the Amazon jungle. To evangelize, he learned many indigenous languages ​​and began describing the unknown cultures of the local tribes. One of them, Amarakaeris, gave him the nickname "Apaktone", which means "old father". This would become his name among all the tribes he tirelessly visited by canoe. Through his numerous contacts and efforts to free people from exploitation, he gained widespread respect and was able to mediate when conflicts arose.

Towards the end of his life, his health deteriorated and he returned to Lima, where he devoted himself to describing the languages ​​he had learned and the expeditions he had organized.

Apaktone represents the missionary zeal that lived in the 20th century. In the 19th century, many Dominican friars in Europe and North America, which led to the creation of countless Christian communities in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania.