Readings in Philippine History - Lesson 2

Content Analysis

Identification of the historical importance of the text.

Contextual Analysis

Examination of author’s main argument or point of view.

Primer Viaje en Torno del Globo

A book/diary written by Antonio Pigafetta in one of the five ships that first circumnavigated the world; it covers the time when Ferdinand Magellan’s fleet “Armada de Molucca” started the voyage in 1519 until it successfully went back to Spain.

4 (1 Italian, 3 French)

How many manuscripts survived when the original diary of Pigafetta was lost?

March 17, 1521 (originally March 16)

Arrived in Zamal (Samar) in Humunu (Homonhon). Magellan called it “Acquada da li buoni Segnialli” (Watering place of God Signs). The district was called “Las Islas de San Lazaro” (Islands of Saint Lazarus).

March 30, 1521 (originally March 29)

Rajah Siagu and Magellan exchanged gifts as they arrived in Mazaua, and Magellan toured Rajah Siagu around the vessel, where the explorer showed their weapons. Likewise, the men of Magellan came with Rajah Siagu, where they were fed with pork, drank beer, and showed them the Raja’s palace.

March 31, 1521 (originally March 30)

The men of Magellan returned to their vessel alongside a sibling of Mazaua’s rajah, being that of Rajah Colambu, the rajah of Butuan-Calagan.

April 1, 1521 (originally March 31)

The first mass of the Philippines was conducted in Mazaua, with attendance of Magellan, Rajah Colambu, Rajah Siagu, and local islanders.

April 8, 1521

Magellan went to Zubu (Cebu) and met Rajah Humabon, where the latter wanted the Portuguese explorer and his men to pay tribute to the local leader, but the former told his translator Enrique that they are working for the King of Spain. A war looms thereafter.

April 15, 1521 (originally April 14)

The Portuguese team held a mass on Rajah Humabon’s place, where it was attended by 800 local members. Magellan gave Hara Humamay an image of Sto. Nino, and Rajah Humabon became “Carlos” and Hara Humamay “Juana”.

April 27, 1521 (originally April 26)

Rajah Zula told Magellan that Matan (Mactan)’s chieftain, Cilapulapu (Rajah Lapu-lapu) refuses to obey the King of Spain; he requested Magellan to send him a group of men to clash with Rajah Lapu-lapu but he was ignored.

April 28, 1521 (originally April 27)

The Battle of Mactan occurs. 60 of Magellan’s men set our armed with corselets and helments and 20-30 balanhais (boats) loaded by Rajah Humabon’s men went to Mactan to attack Rajah Lapu-lapu. The islanders, on the other side, had lances of bamboo and stakes hardened with fire. Rajah Lapu-lapu and his men and the local islanders won the battle, with Magellan being killed and his men retreating to their vessels.

Magellan died in the Battle of Mactan when he was struck by a crossbow laced with poison in his right leg, and being already weak, was overpowered to death by the local men. 

How did Magellan die in the Battle of Mactan?

Lifestyle of early Filipinos in Visayas, the first vocabulary of Visayan words ever penned by an European, description of early Visayan music, evidence that the world is round, rediscovery of the Pacific Ocean

Other contents of Pigafetta’s manuscript, alongside Magellan and his men’s expedition over the Pacific.