Expedition of Spain to the Philippines

Explain the reason/s for Magellan’s expedition to the East

Describe the reaction of the native peoples toward the arrival of Magellan in their place

Create a timeline of events in Magellan’s expedition and the colonization of the Philippines

Ferdinand Magellan (Fernando de Magallanes) was once a brave Portuguese soldier. Upon his return to Portugal from Morocco, he tried to convince King Emmanuel to support his planned expedition to Moluccas (Spice Islands). He believed that he would reach Moluccas—which was in the east—by passing through South America in the west. Unfortunately, the king of Portugal rejected his plan.

Magellan then went to King Charles II of Spain and laid down his plan. The king supported him by financing his expedition to Moluccas. He was also promised a salary and part of the earnings from the sale of the spices from Moluccas. He started his voyage from Sanlucar de Barrameda, Spain on September 20, 1519. He was given five ships and his crew included Antonio de Pigafetta who served as the chronicler of his voyage; Fr. Pedro de Valderrama, the chaplain; and Enrique, Magellan’s slave and interpreter.

Magellan and his men began to cross the Pacific Ocean on November 28, 1520 and reached Guam on March 6, 1521. Continuing their journey, they saw the mountains of Samar on March 16, 1521. The following day, they arrived in the small islet of Homonhon. They were welcomed and offered food by the native peoples. They were the first Filipinos whom the Spaniards encountered.

On March 28, 1521, Magellan’s group found the island of Masao in Butuan, Agusan del Norte which was ruled by Raja Kolambu. With the help of Enrique, Magellan and Raja Kolambu made a blood compact (sanduguan) to seal their friendship and brotherhood.

On Easter Sunday, March 31, 1521, the first Christian mass was celebrated on the shores of Limasawa. The mass was officiated by Fr. Pedro de Valderrama. In the afternoon of the same day, Magellan took possession of the island and planted a wooden cross atop a hill overlooking the sea. He named the island Archipelago of St. Lazarus.

Magellan and his men proceeded to Cebu with the help of Raja Kolambu on April 7, 1521. He made a blood compact with Raja Humabon, the chieftain of Cebu. While he was there, a mass was held wherein the native peoples were baptized. Raja Humabon was given the name Carlos after the king of Spain, and his wife was given the name Juana. An image of the Sto. Niño was given to Juana as a gift from Magellan. At present,  Sto. Niño is still the patron saint of Cebu. A wooden cross which was planted in the city still exists today.

Magellan thought that the native peoples in the islands that he went to would welcome and befriend him. He was able to convince the native peoples to embrace Christianity and pay tribute to Spain. But he did not expect that he would be resented by Lapulapu, the chieftain of Mactan. He believed that Magellan’s aim was to conquer them. He refused to embrace Christianity and pay tribute to Spain.

When Magellan learned about this, he and his men immediately sailed to Mactan. A fierce battle ensued between the men of Magellan and Lapulapu. Unfortunately, Magellan was wounded and killed in the battle. After the battle, the Spaniards decided to leave the Philippines. Only one ship, the Victoria, which was headed by Sebastian del Cano, was able to return to Spain on September 6, 1522.

What is the significance of Magellan’s expedition? 

The victory of Lapulapu in the Battle of Mactan proved that somehow, the tiny seed of nationalism was already planted on Philippine soil, proving that Lapulapu and his men were willing to give up their lives for their freedom. Magellan’s voyage also contributed some knowledge on Earth’s geography. Magellan’s expedition proved that the world is round and that there is a vast expanse of water called the Pacific Ocean. The Europeans then became eager to conquer places in the Pacific.

The Expedition of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi

More expeditions were then sent by Spain to the Philippines. These were the expeditions of Garcia Jofre de Loaisa in 1525, Sebastian Cabot in 1526, and Alvaro de Saavedra in 1527. However, all of these failed. Ruy Lopez de Villalobos reached Mindanao but he failed to colonize it. He gave the name “Felipinas” to the archipelago in honor of King Philip II of Spain.

In 1559, King Philip II of Spain sent an expedition to colonize the country. This expedition was led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. His expedition started in Mexico in 1564. Legazpi and his men reached Cebu on February 13, 1565 but they were not able to embark because of their fear of the native peoples. They sailed to Samar where he made a blood compact with its leader.

The expedition continued in Bohol where Legazpi befriended the leaders Katuna (Sikatuna) and Gala (Sigala).

The native peoples were converted to Christianity. From Bohol, Legazpi’s group reached Cebu on April 27, 1565. A battle ensued between Legazpi’s men and the native peoples who were headed by Raja Tupas. The Cebuanos lost the battle and Legazpi succeeded in establishing the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. He named it Ciudad del Santisimo Nombre de Jesus (City of the Most Holy Name of Jesus) with the image of the Sto. Niño kept in its church. Cebu, which was established in 1565, is considered the oldest Spanish city in the Philippines.

Raja Tupas was convinced to make peace with Legazpi. He and his fellowmen agreed to be baptized and embraced the Christian religion. From Cebu, Legazpi proceeded to Panay and established the second Spanish settlement in the country. The other places he conquered were Burias, Masbate, Ticao, and up to Albay. In 1570, he and his men were able to destroy the settlements of the non-Christians in Ilin and Lubang in Mindoro.

THE CONQUEST OF MANILA

While he was in Cebu, Legazpi ordered Martin de Goiti to conquer the rich and powerful kingdom of Manila. Manila was the center of trade and commerce in Luzon because of its strategic location. Raja Sulayman, the king of Manila at that time, and his men fought the Spaniards using the lantaka or cannons made by Panday Pira but they were still defeated by the Spaniards.

When de Goiti returned to Panay, he informed Legazpi about the rich kingdom of Manila. Legazpi set sail to Manila where Lakan Dula, the king of Tondo, welcomed him. Lakan Dula befriended Legazpi because he realized that fighting the Spaniards would only mean defeat for them. On May 19, 1571, Legazpi took possession of Manila and then on June 24, 1571, Manila was proclaimed the capital of the Philippines where he established the first municipal government. Manila was given the name Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad (Distinguished and Ever Loyal City).

Legazpi died of heart attack on August 20, 1572. His remains were buried under the altar of San Agustin Church. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi is considered the first governor-general of the Philippines.

The grandson of Legazpi, Juan de Salcedo, continued the work of his grandfather. He was able to colonize the other parts of Luzon such as Pampanga, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Rizal, Quezon, and the towns in Ilocos, Bicol, and Cagayan. As a form of recognition for his achievements, he was awarded the encomienda of Ilocos. Juan de Salcedo died in Vigan on March 11, 1576.

The Spaniards were able to colonize the Philippines because they had more advanced weapons compared to the bolos, spears, blowguns, and local cannons of the native peoples. The Spanish conquerors brought with them the Spanish missionaries to propagate Christianity; thus, many of the native peoples were easily convinced by these missionaries and were converted to the Christian faith. Furthermore, the Filipinos still had no sense of nationalism before the Spaniards came. They were divided into separate barangays with different leaders, beliefs, languages/dialects, and cultures. There was no leader to unite the country. But through the years, in their constant struggles under their colonizers, the people’s national consciousness gradually developed because of their desire to achieve their ultimate goal—to be free. However, as we learned from our history, it was a long, long wait.

Ferdinand Magellan - First Circumnavigation of the Earth (youtube.com) 

Values - Appreciation of the freedom that we have 

The learners are able to appreciate the freedom that we are enjoying now.