First Voyage Around the World by Antonio Pigafetta

Antonio Pigafetta, born in the late 15th century in Vicenza, Italy, was an explorer and scholar. He studied astronomy, geography, and cartography, and served aboard the ships of the Knights of Rhodes. In 1519, he accompanied Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastian Elcano on the famous expedition to the Moluccas, which began in August 1519 and concluded in September 1522.

Pigafetta's 'First Voyage Around the World' was written during the first circumnavigation of the world, led by Ferdinand Magellan and later Juan Sebastian Elcano. The expedition, starting in 1519, involved five ships provided by King Charles V, known as the 'Armada de Molucca'. Only one ship, the Victoria, with Pigafetta on board, returned to Spain in 1522. Pigafetta's original diary is lost, but four manuscript versions survive (one in Italian, three in French).

Magellan's crew crossed the international dateline, adding one day to Pigafetta's original dates. An interpreter named Enrique, from Sumatra, accompanied the expedition. Key events include the arrival in Homonhon (referred to as Acquada da li buoni Segnialli or the Archipelago of San Lazaro) on March 17, 1521, the first mass in the Philippines on April 1, 1521, in Mazawa/Limassawa, and Magellan's arrival in Zubu (Cebu) on April 8, 1521, where he encountered tribute demands from the local king. On April 15, 1521, a mass was held in Cebu, leading to the baptism of 800 souls and the presentation of the Santo Niño image to the queen. On April 27, 1521, in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu refused to obey the King of Spain and pay tribute, leading to a confrontation where Magellan was killed.

Pigafetta's journal provides insights into the lifestyle, customs, and communication of the local islanders, including the earliest known account of Lapu-Lapu's life. It is considered a primary source for understanding Filipino customs in the early 16th century, containing the first vocabulary of Visayan words penned by a European.

Pigafetta's book serves as evidence that the world is round and aids researchers in understanding the Magellan expedition's context. The expedition, from 1519 to 1522, led to the discovery of the Pacific Ocean and proved a westward route to the East, thereby contributing to globalization, trade, and cultural exchange with European countries. For the Philippines, it offers a firsthand account of early Filipino life, pre-colonial religions, and the initial resistance against Spanish occupation. Pigafetta's journal is a vital piece of both Philippine and world history, vividly narrating the events of the first circumnavigation.