MAGELLAN 2: Discovery and Tragedy

On September 20, 1519, his 260 sailors, chaplain, Asiatic guides/interpreters who used to be with the Portuguese fleet left Spain aboard 5 ships, flagship Trinidad, San Antonio, Concepcion, Victoria, and Santiago. Magellan expected some misunderstandings between him and the crew who were all Spaniards. He had quarrels with the San Antonio Captain. They spent months along South America looking for the tip of South America and the strait going to the east. On March, 1520, the fleet anchored for the winter season. Mutiny broke out because they did not like Magellan’s manners and plans. The ship Santiago ran aground totally wrecked. With 4 ships left to pass through the many channels, fjords, the 4 ships were divided into 2 groups so that they will not waste time looking for the right route. Concepcion reported it found the way to the eastern sea (Pacific) and that San Antonio deserted and had returned to Portugal to report the abuses and mistakes of Magellan. November 28, 1521, flagship Trinidad, Victoria and Concepcion entered the Pacific Ocean.

On February 1521, they reached the Marianas islands where they rested and refitted. They called it Ladrones Islands because the natives stole some of their goods. On March 16, 1521, they reached Samar and celebrated the first Philippine Mass in March 31, 1521 at Limasawa, Samar. They moved to Cebu where the Chaplain began evangelization with the baptism of the King, Queen and the subjects. Writers disagree on the reason for the Mactan battle. Some say two (2) Mactan datus quarreled. Spain sided with one against the other, Datu Lapu-Lapu. Others say Lapu-Lapu refused to give tribute to Spain. All agreed that Magellan with only 49 Spaniards attacked Lapu-lapu’s many warriors and was killed on April 27, 1521.

Sebastian del Cano became the fleet commander. With native guides, they crossed the Visayas and went to Sandakan, Borneo but found no spices. They then passed by Southern Mindanao. The force was reduced by death caused by scurvy, malnutrition from 260 to 115 sailors so Concepcion was burned. Trinidad and Victoria on November, 1521 reached the Spice Islands. Trinidad needed repairs so El Cano left for Spain on January, 1522 on Victoria. The crew were afraid of crossing the Pacific (the new route which brought them in Asia). El Cano took the Portuguese route (India, Middle East, Africa, and Spain). On September 6, 1522, Victoria entered the Port of San Lucar de Barranneda which it left on September 21, 1519.

El Cano received a hero’s welcome. From 1522, El Cano was credited with being the first western to go around the world. It was only in the 17th century, when historians woke up and honored Magellan as the man responsible for the first voyage around the world. Columbus was an Italian who was belittled by European nations and had to ask Spain’s King for help and discovered America. Similarly, Magellan was a Portuguese disregarded by Portugal so he asked and got support from Spain’s King. From the 14th to 16th century, European explorations were noted for 3 G’s God, Gold and Glory. All expeditions had chaplains who tended to the religious needs of the explorers and more important to evangelize.

All South American nations were Spanish colonies and the Church influence is very visible and strong. The first non-European pope, Pope Francis, though of Italian parentages, was born and became a priest, bishop in Argentina (a Spanish colony).

In Asia, except for the Philippines, the Church presence can be seen only in some places like India’s Goa, Malaysia’s Malacca, Singapore and Macao. Before it was destroyed by fire in the 1835, Macao’s St. Paul’s Cathedral was the biggest in Asia and Macao was then known as the Vatican of the East because of the very, very strong influence of the Portuguese Jesuits beginning with St. Francis Xavier and Fr. Ricci and the big church, schools, and buildings.

When we became an American colony in 1898, the most influential political leaders came for the Dominican University of UST like Pres. Quezon, Pres. Sergio Osmena, Senator Madrigal. Our nation is the only Asian nation visited by two (2) Popes, Pope St. John Paul II, and in 2017 by Pope Francis. The January Black Nazarene (Nazareno) procession in Quiapo is the world’s biggest procession with more than 1 million participants. The Sto. Niño January Festival is unique. This tradition is observed in regions, three (3) on the 3rd Sunday (Cebu’s Sinulog, the world’s biggest, Kalibo’s Ati-atihan, the most colorful where everybody can join) and Tondo and 4th Sunday (Ilo-ilo’s Dinagyan, the most elaborate). Every city, town, barangay, sitio, purok has its own patron saint. All these are part of our culture and tradition, thanks to the March 16, 1521, ‘discovery’. It is tragic that Magellan did not enjoy the accolades worthy of a man of the world. With the Lord’s kindness we will keep the faith alive for another 500 years.