Summary
Highlights
The video introduces Chapter 2 of 'Readings in Philippine History', focusing on content and contextual analysis of selected primary sources. Learning objectives include familiarizing with primary documents, learning history through them, interpreting them properly, and understanding their context. The main primary source to be discussed is Antonio Pigafetta's 'First Voyage Around the World'.
Historical sources are crucial tools for historians to understand and interpret the past, ascertain facts, and analyze events. The video reiterates the two kinds of criticism: external criticism, which examines the authenticity of documents, and internal criticism, which assesses the truthfulness of their content.
Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian nobleman and navigator, chronicled Magellan's circumnavigation. His work became a classic, highly valued by Western literary figures. Pigafetta's travelog is considered one of the most important primary sources for studying pre-colonial Philippine history, providing detailed observations of Magellan's arrival, encounters with local leaders, and his death.
Before reaching the Philippines, Magellan's fleet arrived at what Pigafetta called 'Ladrones Island' or the 'Island of Thieves', now known as the Marianas Islands. Pigafetta described the inhabitants as poor, ingenious, and great thieves, using sticks with fishbones as arms.
Ten days after leaving Ladrones, they reached Zamal (Samar). Magellan chose to land on an uninhabited island for security. On March 18, 1521, nine men from a nearby island approached them, showing joy and eagerness. Magellan offered them food, drinks, and gifts, in return for which the natives provided fish, palm wine, figs, and rice. Pigafetta was particularly fascinated by the coconut palm.
The people described by Pigafetta were friendly and led them to Homonhon Island, which Pigafetta called 'the watering place of good sign' due to its abundance of gold. Magellan named the nearby islands the 'Archipelago of St. Lazarus' due to their arrival near the Feast of St. Lazarus in March 1521.
On March 25, 1521, they saw two balanghai (long boats) and met the king of Mazaua. Magellan showcased his men in armor, boasting of their invulnerability. The king, fascinated, expressed their desire to become brothers. Magellan, through his interpreter Henry, requested financial assistance and emphasized his friendly intentions. The king provided provisions in return for gifts from Magellan.
Magellan was introduced to Raja Calambu, the king's brother and king of another island (presumably Butuan). Pigafetta reported seeing mines of gold on this island, with parts of the king's ship and house made of gold. Pigafetta described Raja Calambu as handsome, adorned with silk and gold accessories, including a golden dagger.
On Easter Sunday, March 31, 1521, Magellan ordered a mass to be held by the shore. The kings, Raj Calambu and Sia Sagu (the first king), attended and participated in the mass. Magellan ordered a cross with nails and a crown to be planted as a sign of his Emperor's presence and to signal his visit to other Spaniards, ensuring the release of any captives. This event is regarded as the first mass in the Philippines, and Magellan's Cross remains preserved today.
After seven days, Magellan and his men sought more supplies, learning of Leyte, Bohol, and Cebu. Raja Calambu piloted them to Cebu, which Pigafetta noted as the largest and richest island. Upon arriving in Cebu on April 7, 1521, the king of Cebu demanded tribute, which Magellan refused, stating he was the captain of a king and would not pay homage to other rulers.
The king of Cebu, after consulting his council, agreed to a blood compact with Magellan, a traditional Filipino ritual of friendship and treaties. Magellan's interpreter emphasized his emperor's power, encouraging friendship over enmity. Magellan also boasted of his armored soldiers' invulnerability. On April 9, Magellan spoke about God and peace, which pleased the people.
On April 14, Magellan encouraged the king of Cebu to embrace Christianity, burn idols, and worship the cross. The king and his people agreed and were baptized, with Magellan naming the king Don Charles (Carlos). Pigafetta recounted an incident where a sick man was healed after baptism, which he called a miracle, further solidifying the natives' faith.
On April 26, 1521, Zula, a principal man from Mactan, sought Magellan's help against Lapulapu. Magellan, eager to fight, offered three boats despite being outnumbered (49 men against 1,500 Islanders). The battle ensued, and Magellan, despite his armor, was targeted and pierced with a poisoned arrow in his right leg. His forces tried to intimidate the natives by burning their village, but Magellan was ultimately surrounded and killed by daggers and spears.
After Magellan's death, Duarte Barbosa was elected the new captain. The interpreter, Henry, allegedly betrayed the remaining crew by conspiring with the king of Cebu. The king invited 24 men to a gathering, where they were ambushed and killed. Pigafetta survived because he was nursing battle wounds. The fleet departed, abandoning Serrano, who was held for ransom. Pigafetta's chronicle, being a commissioned account, served to expand the Spanish Empire.