CONTENT & CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF SELECTED o It focuses on the chronicles of Antonio Pigafetta

PRIMARY SOURCES IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY as he wrote firsthand observations & general

impressions, including their arrival in the Ph =
PRIMARY (Major & Essential) SOURCES:
their fleet starts the retelling of the
1. First Voyage Around the World by Magellan
past/discussion of the timeline of events of what
(Antonio Pigafetta)
happened during their arrival in the Ph
o Ferdinand Magellan – Portuguese mariner
o Their fleet reached what he called the Landores
whose expedition was the 1st to circumnavigate
Islands/ “Island of the Thieves” = the natives of
the globe in 1519-22 (1521 nadeds si Magellan,
that particular island actually stole small boats
pero 1522 natapos si expedition) in the service of
in their ship without permission/courtesy (the
Spain
group of Magellan thought that the natives are
‒ Born 4 Feb 1480 into a family of minor (not
just hospitable, so akala nila wala yong kapalit
rich, not poor) Portuguese nobility, Magellan
[mga assuming kaya])
became a skilled sailor & naval officer in
o Pigafetta’s travelogue highlights:
service of the Portuguese Crown in Asia
‒ MAGELLAN’S ARRIVAL IN THE PH
‒ For his allegiance to the Hispanic Monarchy,
• Ladrones Islands is presently known as the
(a form of gov’t in a specific area that is
Marianas Islands. These islands are
spearheaded by a king & queen, which is
located S-SE of Japan, W-SW of Hawaii, N
adapted in the Ph in 1500s) in 1518, Magellan
of New Guinea, & E of the Ph
was appointed admiral of the Spanish Fleet &
• 10 days after they reached the
given command of the expedition – the 5-ship
abovementioned island, Pigafetta
Armada of Molucca. He was appointed as
reported that they have reached the isle of
Commander of the Order of Santiago, one of
Zamal (Now Samar). Magellan decided to
the highest military position in the Spanish
land in another uninhabited island for
Empire
greater security where they could rest for a
‒ He was killed (misconception: Lapu-Lapu
few days (Why instead of Samar?: It was a
killed Magellan since there is no primary
decision so no one could see them to
source; safest answer: the indigenous group
avoid conflict of interest bcoz that time
headed by Lapu-Lapu) on the voyage in what
we are colonized by the Spanish Colonial
is today the Ph, & only 22 (survived in the
gov’t. When Spaniards new that foreign
Battle of Mactan) of the og 270 crew members
indiv/groups landed in the Ph archipelago,
made it back to Europe (Di rin Nakita ni
they might be arrested, detained, &
Pigafetta kung sino talaga pumatay kasi isa rin
executed)
siya sa mga nakikipaglaban noon sa gyera)
• Pigafetta recounted that after few days
o Antonio Pigaffeta (1491-1531) – a Venetian (from
(March 18), 9 men came to then & showed
Venice, Italy) scholar & explorer. He joined
joy & eagerness in seeing them
expeditions led by explorer Ferdinand Magellan
under the flag of the emperor Charles V & after • Magellan realized that the men were
Magellan’s death in the Philippine Islands, the reasonable & welcomed them w/ food,
subsequent voyage around the world drinks & gifts
‒ During the expedition, he served as • Moreover, the natives gave the fish, palm
Magellan’s (intimate – sunod nang sunod) wine (uraca), figs, & 2 cochos (fruits from
assistant & kept an accurate journal, w/c later palm trees)
assisted him in translating the Cebuano • The natives also gave them rice (umai),
language. It is the first recorded document cocos, & other food supplies
concerning the language. o Pigafetta detailed in fascination &
‒ He was one of the 18 men who made the amazement the palm tree w/c bore
complete trip, returning to Spain in 1522, fruits called cocho & wine. He also
under the command of Juan Sebastian described what seemed like a coconut
Elcano, out of the approx. 240 who set out 3 • MAGELLAN’S ENCOUNTER W/ THE PPL
years earlier. These men completed the 1st & LOCAL LEADERS
circumnavigation of the world. Other o Pigafetta characterized the ppl as “very
mutinied & returned in the 1st year familiar & friendly” & willingly showed
‒ His surviving journal is the source for much of them diff islands & the names of the
what is known about Magellan & Elcano’s islands
voyage o Highlight:
o Pigafetta’s book became a classic prominent ▪ Humunu Island (Homonhon) –
literary like the works of William Shakespeare “Watering Place of Good Signs”;
‒ Interpretation of the New World ( by Found 1st signs of Gold in the island
Giambattista Vico) = upon the (Archipelago of St. Lazarus = held by
expedition/arrival & departure in the God); Left the island on 25th of
archipelago, they had new learnings/ March
discoveries/innovations that they can impart o Pigaffeta recounted that they saw 2
upon their return in the European nations ballanghai (balangay = group of
 ppl/troops), a long boat full of ppl in bcoz once the Spaniards saw this
Mazzava, Mazaua (an island in Visayas) cross, then they would know that they
o The leader, who Pigafetta referred as have been in this land & would not
the King of the balanghai sent his men cause them troubles, & any person who
to the ship of Magellan. The Europeans might be held captives by them would
entertained these men & negotiated: be released
The King of the balanghai offered o The King concurred & allowed for the
Magellan a bar of Gold, Magellan cross to be planted. This Mass would go
declined down in history as the first Mass in the
o Magellan sent an interpreter to the King Philippines, & the cross implanted is
& asked for money for the needs of his the famed Magellan’s Cross still
ships & expressed that he came to the preserved at present day
island as a friend, not as an enemy o After seven days, Magellan & his men
o Negotiation ended; both exchanged decided to move & look for islands
available resources (King: supply & where they could acquire more
resources; Magellan: set of rose) supplies & provisions
o The 2 expressed their desires to o They learned the islands of Ceylon
become brothers. Magellan boasted of (Leyte), Bohol, Zzubu (Cebu) & intended
his men in armor who could not be to go there
struck w/ swords & daggers. The King o King Raia Calambu offered to pilot
was fascinated & remarked that men in them going to Cebu, the largest & the
such armor could be worth 100 of his richest among the islands
men o By 7th of April of the same year,
o Magellan further showed the King his Magellan & his men reached the port of
other weapons, helmets & artilleries. Cebu. The King of Cebu, thru Magellan’s
Magellan also shared with the King his interpreter demanded that they pay
charts & maps & shared how they found tribute as it was customary, but
these islands Magellan refused (reason: Magellan
o After a few days, Magellan was was a captain of a King himself & thus
introduced to the King’s brother who would not pay tribute to other Kings)
was also a King of another island. They o Magellan’s interpreter explained to the
went to these island & Pigafetta King of Cebu that Magellan’s King was
reported that they saw mines of gold the emperor of a great empire & this it
o Parts of the ships owned by the King would do them better to make friends
was abundant of gold including his w/ them that to forge enmity (to build
house (properties) alliance instead of fighting each other)
o Pigaffeta described this King as the o The King of Cebu consulted w/ his
most handsome of all men that he saw council. By the next day, Magellan’s
in the place. The King was also full of men & the King of Cebu, together w/
gold accessories, gold weaponries, then other principal men of Cebu, met
such as gold daggers w/c he carried w/ in an open space. There, the King
him in a wooden polished sheath offered a bit of his blood & demanded
o The King was named Raia Calambu, that Magellan to do the same (Blood
King of Zuluan & Calagan (Butuan & Compact) = mutual affection/
Caragua) objective/interest for the betterment of
o On the 31st of March (w/c happened to the inhabitants
be Easter Sunday), Magellan ordered o The ff day, Magellan spoke before the
the chaplain to preside a Mass by the ppl of Cebu about peace & God.
shore. The King (Raia Calambu) heard Pigafetta reported that the ppl of Cebu
about his plan & sent 2 dead pigs & took pleasure in Magel lan’s speech
attended the mass w/ the other King. o Magellan then asked the ppl who would
Pigafetta reported that both Kings succeed the King after his reign & the
participated in the mass ppl responded that the eldest child of
o After the Mass, Magellan ordered that the King, who happened to be a
the cross be brought w/ nails & crowns daughter, would be the next in line
in place. Magellan explained that the o Pigafetta also related how the ppl
cross (Catholic faith/Christianity), the talked about, how at old age, parents
nail (Crucifixion), & the crown were no longer taken into account &
(Sacrifice) were the signs of his follow the orders of their children as the
emperor (Charles V) & that he was new leaders of the society
ordered to plant it in the places that he o Magellan responded by saying that his
would reach faith entailed children to render honor &
o Magellan further explained that the obedience to their parents
cross would be beneficial for their ppl
 o Magellan preached about their faith o Magellan was pierced w/ a poisoned
further & the ppl were reportedly arrow in his right leg.
convinced. Pigafetta write that their o A few of their men charged at the
men were overjoyed seeing that the ppl natives & tried to intimidate them by
wished to become Christians thru their burning an entire village but this only
free will & not bcoz they were forced/ enraged the natives further
intimidated o Magellan was specifically targeted,
o On the 14th of April, the ppl gathered, bcoz the natives new that he was the
w/ the King & other principal men of the captain-general. Magellan retaliated &
islands. Magellan spoke to the King & pierced the same native w/ his lance in
encouraged him to be a good Christian the breast & tried to draw his sword but
by burning all of the symbolisms/idols & could not lift it bcoz of his wounded arm
worship the cross instead o Seeing that the captain has already
o The King of the Cebu was then baptized deteriorated, more natives came to
as a Christian (as head/spearhead of attack him. One native w/ a great sword
the state/a particular area, ur delivered a blow in Magellan’s left
inhabitants/citizens might follow ur leg, brought him face down & the native
baptizinationism) ceaselessly attacked Magellan w/
o After 8 days, Pigafetta counted that all lances, swords, & even w/ their bare
of the islands inhabitant were already hands (still tinitingnan niya pa ppl niya
baptized for safety [cutie sacrifice pero bobo
o The Mass was conducted by the shore moments talaga])
every day • DEPARTURE OF WHAT WAS LEFT OF
o When the Queen came to the mass one MAGELLAN’S FLEET IN THE ISLANDS
day, Magellan gave her an image of the (anong nangyari sa surviving men &
Infant Jesus made by Pigafetta himself. women)
The King swore that he would always be o Pigafetta also said that the King of Cebu
faithful to Magellan who was baptized could have sent help
o When Magellan reiterated that all the but Magellan instructed him not to join
newly baptized Christians need to burn the battle & stay in in the balangay so
their idols, the natives refused for some that he would see how they fought
reasons that they have norms that they o The King offered the ppl of Mactan gifts
need their idols to heal a sick man who of any value & amount in exchange of
was a relative of the King Magellan’s body as a memento of their
o Magellan insisted that they should victory
instead put their faith in Jesus Christ. o Pigafetta also stated that Magellan’s
They went to the sick man & baptized slave & interpreter named Henry
him. After the baptismal, Pigafetta betrayed them & told the King that they
recorded that the man was able to intended to leave as quickly as possible
speak again. He called this a miracle. o Pigafetta alleged that the slave told the
o On the 26th of April, Zula, a principal King that if he followed the slave’s
man from the island of Matan (Mactan) advice, then the King could acquire the
went to see Magellan & asked him for a ships & the goods of Magellan’s fleet
boat full of men so that he would be o The 2 conspired & betrayed what was
able to fight the chief named left of Magellan’s men. The King invited
Silapulapu (Lapulapu) = reason: his these men to a gathering where he said
indigenous group refused/declined to he would present the jewels that he
be baptized as Christians would send for the King of Spain
o Such chief, according to Zula, refused o Pigafetta wasn’t able to join the 24 men
to obey the King also preventing him who attended bcoz he was nursing his
from doing so battle wounds. It was a short of time
o Magellan offered 3 boats instead & when they heard cries & lamentations
expressed his desire to go to Mactan o The natives had slain all of the men
himself to fight the said chief except the interpreter Juan Serrano
o Magellan’s forces arrived in Mactan in who was already wounded (held
daylight. They numbered 49 in total & captive)
the islanders of Mactan were estimated o Juan Serrano was presented & shouted
to number 1.5k. Then the battle began at the men in the ship asking them to
• DEATH (BATTLE OF MACTAN) pay ransom so he would be spared.
o Magellan died in that battle. The However, they refused & would not
natives, perceiving that the bodies of allow anyone to go to the shore (if
the enemies were protected w/ armors, bumalik sila, lahat sila mamamatay =
aimed for their legs instead hindi matutuloy ang expedition)
 o The fleet departed & abandoned
Serrano. They left Cebu & continued
their journey around the world
o Hence, it is very evident that other
belief system different from that of
Christianity were perceived to be
blasphemous, barbaric, & even
demonic
2. Kartilya ng Katipunan (Emilio Jacinto)
3. The 1898 Proclamation of the Philippine
Independence
4. A Glance at Selected Philippine Political
Caricature in Alfred McCoy’s Philippine
Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era
(1900-1941)
o Alfred McCoy is an American who studied
Philippine History
5. Corazon Aquino’s Speech Before the United
States Congress