Summary
Highlights
This video introduces the second part of content and contextual analysis of selected primary sources in Philippine history, focusing on Antonio Pigafetta's 'The First Voyage Around the World by Magellan'. The book became a classic, referenced by prominent literary figures of the West, and provides an interpretation of the new world.
Antonio Pigafetta was born in the late 15th century in Vicenza, Italy. He studied astronomy, geography, and cartography, using his skills to document his journey. He accompanied Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastian Elcano on the famous expedition that began in August 1519 and ended in September 1522.
Pigafetta's travelogue is a crucial primary source for studying pre-colonial Philippines. It details events like Magellan's arrival, his encounters with local leaders, his death at the Battle of Mactan, and the fleet's departure. The document offers insights into the character of the Philippines and how Europeans perceived an unfamiliar environment, people, and culture from their 16th-century perspective.
Pigafetta's fleet first reached the 'Ladrones Islands,' now known as the Marianas Islands. He described the inhabitants as poor but ingenious thieves, leading to the name. The fleet then proceeded to Humunu Island, now Guiuan, where they found gold and named the area the 'Archipelago of Saint Lazarus'.
On a nearby island, they met two kings: Rahah Siago and the King of Zuluan and Kalagan. Magellan ordered a mass by the shore, which the two kings attended, kissing the cross and kneeling. After the mass, a cross was planted, marking what would be known as the first mass in the Philippines, and the cross became Magellan's Cross in Cebu City.
On April 26, a man from Mactan, Zula, sought Magellan's help against Chief Lapulapu. Magellan agreed, leading 49 men to Mactan against an estimated 1500 islanders. Outnumbered, Magellan died in the battle, with Pigafetta recounting his final moments where he ensured his men's retreat.
Pigafetta's chronicle is a highly cited and earliest detailed document on pre-colonial Philippines. It's important to remember that his descriptions are rooted in his 16th-century European perspective and era, providing a unique lens into early Philippine society.