The First Voyage around the World: Reviewer

Conflict with Chief Zula

After Magellan's death, conflicts arose between Magellan's remaining crew and Chief Zula, the brother of Chief Humabon. The Spaniards accused Chief Zula of plotting against them, which led to tensions and confrontations.

Departure from the Philippines

After the death of Magellan and facing challenges and hostilities, the remaining crew members made arrangements to leave the Philippines. They repaired and refitted one of the surviving ships, the Victoria, and selected Juan Sebastian Elcano as their new leader. The Victoria, along with the Trinidad, which was abandoned due to its unseaworthiness, departed from the Philippines on May 1, 1521, continuing the voyage with the goal of returning to Spain.

Welcoming by Natives

After two days on Homonhon Island, on March 18, nine natives approached Magellan's crew with joy and eagerness. They welcomed the explorers by offering food, drinks, and gifts, including fish, palm wine (uraca), figs, rice (umai), and coconuts (cocos).

Archipelago of St. Lazarus

As they explored the area, Magellan's crew encountered two ballangai (balangay) on March 25. These were long boats filled with people. Magellan named the island and its neighboring islands the Archipelago of St. Lazarus.

Language Barriers

Communication was a significant challenge for Magellan's crew due to language barriers. They had to rely on interpreters and gestures to convey their intentions and understand the locals. This language barrier sometimes led to misunderstandings and further complications in their interactions.

Betrayal by Rajah Humabon

Despite initially establishing friendly relations with Chief Humabon of Cebu, Magellan's crew faced a betrayal by him. After Magellan's death, Chief Humabon aligned himself with the remaining crew members' enemies, particularly Chief Zula. This betrayal strained the relationship between the Spaniards and the local inhabitants.

Meeting Raja Siagu

In Mazzava/Mazaua, Magellan's crew encountered a leader, Raja Siagu, who sent his men to Magellan's ship. Raja Siagu offered Magellan a bar of gold and a chest of ginger, but Magellan declined. Instead, he requested money for the needs of his ships. The king provided them with provisions and food in chinaware.

Exchange of Gifts and Alliances

Magellan and Raja Siagu exchanged gifts, including robes in Turkish fashion, a red cap, knives, and mirrors. They expressed a desire to become brothers. Magellan showcased his men in armor, emphasizing their strength and invulnerability. Raja Siagu was fascinated and remarked that men in such armor could be worth one hundred of his men.

Discovery of Gold

Magellan's crew explored islands where they discovered mines of gold. Pigafetta described how the ship's parts and the house of another king (brother of Raja Siagu) were made of gold due to its abundance.

Navigation and Mapping

Navigating through unfamiliar waters and accurately mapping the islands of the Philippines was a significant challenge for Magellan's crew. They relied on their navigational skills, celestial observations, and the expertise of Antonio Pigafetta, who was knowledgeable in cartography and geography, to navigate the archipelago.

Samar and Homonhon Island

On March 16, 1521, Magellan's fleet reached an island called Zamal, now known as Samar. However, they decided to land on another uninhabited island, which Pigafetta referred to as Homonhon. They rested there for a few days before continuing their journey.

Easter Sunday Mass

On March 31, 1521, Magellan ordered a Mass to be held by the shore, presided over by the chaplain. The kings, including Raja Siagu and Raja Calambu, attended the Mass. They participated in the rituals, such as kissing the cross and adoring the body of Christ.

Battle of Mactan

One of the most notable and tragic encounters was the Battle of Mactan, which took place on April 27, 1521. Magellan and his crew arrived at the island of Mactan, where they encountered the fierce chief Lapulapu and his warriors. Despite being outnumbered and facing fierce resistance, Magellan and his men fought against Lapulapu's forces. However, Magellan was killed during the battle, which became a significant event in the early European exploration of the Philippines.

Raja Calambu

Pigafetta mentioned the king of Zuluan and Calagan, known as Raja Calambu. He was described as the most handsome man among all the people they encountered. Raja Calambu adorned himself with silk and golden accessories, including a golden dagger carried in a polished wooden sheath.

Encounter with Chief Humabon

Prior to the Battle of Mactan, Magellan and his crew had a significant encounter with Chief Humabon of Cebu. Chief Humabon was initially welcoming and allowed the Spaniards to establish friendly relations. Magellan baptized Chief Humabon, his wife, and several other natives, marking the first recorded Christian baptisms in the Philippines. This encounter resulted in the conversion of some of the indigenous people to Christianity.

Unfavorable Weather Conditions

The crew also had to contend with adverse weather conditions during their voyage in the Philippines. They encountered storms and rough seas, which posed risks to their ships and crew members' safety.

Lack of Provisions

The crew faced difficulties in obtaining provisions and supplies during their time in the Philippines. They relied on the goodwill of local leaders and inhabitants to provide them with food and other necessities. However, these resources were not always readily available, leading to hardships for the crew.

Theft and Hostilities

The crew members encountered theft and hostilities from some of the local inhabitants. Pigafetta noted instances of theft, where the natives took advantage of the Spaniards' trust and stole their belongings. These acts of hostility added to the challenges faced by the crew during their stay in the Philippines.