The Spanish Period

Prelude to Magellan’s Exploration

 Beginning in the 15th century, the national states of Western Europe were highly centralized and
financially capable of supporting exploration and expansion. Technological advances in the system
of navigation and ship design enabled navigators to undertake longer voyages.
 Also, many Europeans wanted to take possession of fabulous riches of lands outside Europe
particularly gold, pepper, ivory and even African slaves.
 European Kings and merchants were also eager to find alternative ocean routes to avoid import
taxes imposed by Ottoman Empire on goods coming overland from Asia by Caravan.
 The first to move was Portugal because of their long maritime tradition as well as advantageous
geographic position on the Atlantic. By 1498, they were able to set foot on Asia.

Magellan’s Rediscovery of the Philippines

 Ferdinand Magellan, a veteran Portuguese soldier, proposed to King Manuel, to find a westward
route from Portugal to the rich island of spices on the opposite side of the world. But, he was
declined.
 Disgruntled by the ingratitude of the King, Magellan volunteered his service to the King of Spain,
Charles V.
 That time, Spain was in need of funds for the treasury. And since there was a high demand for
Spice, as well as, it expensiveness, the said voyage was the best solution Spain could get.
 Charles V provided Magellan a fleet of five ships, namely:
1. Trinidad
2. Victoria
3. Concepcion
4. Santiago
5. San Antonio
 On August 10, 1519, the fleet sailed westward from Seville to find a passageway to Moluccas.
 It was manned by a crew of 270 men and 2 Chaplains namely Father Pedro de Valderama and a
French nationality who was abandoned by Magellan in the coast of Brazil.
 It took a whole year to reach the Spice Island of Moluccas. And there were only three (3) ships left.
The Santiago had sunken before they espied the strait while San Antonio secretly sailed back to
Spain.

Samar Sighted

 On March 6, 1521, after a long voyage the group reached Ladrones Island (Marianas). They veered
southwards in the direction of Moluccas.
 Surprisingly, March 16 of the same year, a body of land appeared before their eyes, the coast
island of Samar. They continued sailing southwards. And he named it Island of St. Lazarus for it
was the Saturday before the Passion Sunday.
 March 17, they reached Homonhon. They have rested and were given fresh provisions by the
natives.
 March 22, they were personally greeted and welcomed by the chieftain. Magellan and his crews
stayed there for 9 days to recover from exhaustion.
 Afterwards the fleet sailed again. And on the night of March 28, they saw a bonfire at a nearby
island and headed towards it. It was the Limasawa Island in the Southern tip of Leyte.
 Upon arrival, Magellan was greeted by nine men who represented their chieftain.

The First Mass

 Magellan offered food and drink to the natives. In return, the natives bought food placed on white
Chinese Porcelain Wares which convinced Magellan that he is, indeed, in the East.
 On March 29, 1521, Magellan made a blood compact with Rajah Colambu.
 Then on March 31, 1521, the first mass was held celebrated by Father Pedro de Valderama. After
the mass, the natives expressed their desire to be Christians. Hence, Magellan planted a big cross
on top of the hill. And it was the first cross planted in the Philippines.

First Christian Filipinos in Cebu

 On April 7, 1521, he entered the narrow sea between Mactan and Cebu. He had scared the
Cebuanos by doing the European custom of saluting the people and honoring the king of friendly
ports by firing all his guns.
 Upon arrival, Enrique (Magellan’s slave and interpreter) told the natives that they only came to
discover Moluccas and buy food with their merchandise.
 The King, Seripalda Humabon, demanded that they pay first the tribute imposed on incoming
ships. But, Magellan refused to pay stating that he is representing a great king who pays no
tributes.
 Then, a Moro trader warned the king that the newcomers were subjects of a powerful king who
already had conquered Calicut, Malacca, and the whole India.
 The next morning, there was a formal meeting between Cebuanos and the European visitors. The
king asked Magellan the token of friendship.
 “Kasi-Kasi” or the blood compact which sealed their friendship. Both put a drop of blood from
their right arm into a cup, mixed it with wine and drank from it.
 During his stay, Magellan took the opportunity to introduce Christian law of love and respect for
elders and parents.
 Since he could not leave them with teachers to instruct them, he offered to baptize them next
time by bringing a priest and explain to them further the Catholic Religion.
 April 14, 1521 Father de Valderama erected and blessed the Holy Cross in the middle of their
settlement.
 In that plaza, the king and queen together with 800 of their subjects were baptized.
 The King was given the name “Don Carlos” in honor of King Charles V of Spain and the queen was
named Doña Juana” in honor of King Charles’ wife.
 After baptism, Magellan gave the queen the statue of the Infant Jesus as a gift which then later on
was called the Sto. Niño of Cebu.

The Battle Of Mactan

 Raha Humabon told Magellan about the disobedience of some chieftains. Then, Magellan
convoked all the chiefs to obey Don Carlos as their King or else he would have them killed and give
all their possessions to the King.
 Rahah Zula, then give 2 goats as a present to Magellan, apologizing that it is all he can give
because LapuLapu, the other chief, refused to obey the King of Spain. However, Zula assured
Magellan that he would be able to subdue his rival.
 But, instead of sending reinforcements, Magellan without knowing the terrain volunteered to fight
Lapu-Lapu.
 On April 27, at 3am, Magellan with 60 men arrived on Mactan shore. He did not immediately
strike; he waited for the sunrise and even allowed the enemy to summon their allies.
 With Magellan’s order to burn their houses, the natives were provoked to be more aggressive.
 As a counter attack, the natives shot poisoned arrows which were found to be more effective than
European guns.
 They were encircled in a shallow sea. Hence, Magellan ordered for their retreat. He was attacked
with a bamboo spear, but Magellan killed the attacker with his lance. Magellan tried to grab his
sword but he was wounded on his arm.
 Finally, Magellan fell down. Lapu Lapu and his men immediately rushed on him with their iron and
bamboo spears and their cutlasses.
 By defeating Magellan, Lapulapu was hailed as the first Filipino freedom fighter. He was the first to
repulse a foreign invader.

The Return to Spain

 After Magellan’s defeat, the Cebuanos lost heart and repudiated their alliance, killing the
remaining 20 Europeans and burning their ship, the Concepcion.

Significant Results of Magellan’s Voyage

 For the first time, man was able to circumnavigate the globe, thus proving the idea that the world
is really round.
 Europeans knew that the greatest oceans in the world are lying between Asia and the New World.
 Geographical knowledge was enhanced which motivated Europeans to conquer and explore the
Pacific Region.
 Magellan’s Rediscovery of the Philippines marked the commencement of Spain’s colonial rule in
the archipelago.
 Marked the entry of Philippines into the History period through the accounts of Antonio Pigafetta,
Magellan’s Chronicler.
Spanish Expeditions after Magellan’s voyage

 Charles V ordered Antonio de Mendoza, viceroy of Mexico, to prepare an armada for the east to
colonize “Islas del Poniente” (Isles of the West).
 Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, commander of the expedition, departed Mexico on November 1, 1542
and arrived at Baganga Bay in Davao Oriental on February 2, 1543 and named the area
“Philippines” in honor to Philip, the Prince of Asturias, son and successor of Charles V to the
throne of Spain.
 However, due to hostilities of the islanders of Leyte. They decided to go to Tidore and surrendered
to the Portuguese.
 Villalobos died of melancholia.

Conquest of the Philippines

 Philip II ascended the Spanish throne in 1553. It was during this time when the Council of Indies
wanted to abandon the idea of colonizing the Philippines. But, he decided otherwise.
 In 1559, he ordered Don Luis de Velasco to equip an armada for the spiritual and material
conquest of the Philippines.
 Fr. Andres de Urdaneta told them that it is easy to sail west to reach the East and return via the
same route. Because of his experience and confidence he was asked to join the expedition as the
chief pilot.
 At his suggestion, a royal official with unblemished record in Mexico was chosen to command the
fleet, Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

Legazpi’s Expedition

 There four ships in the fleet, namely: San Pedro (flagship), San Pablo, San Juan de Letran snf San
Lucas.
 Joining the expedition, there were five priests who became the first missionaries of this
expedition: Andres de Urdaneta, Diego de Herrera, Martin de Rada, Andres de Aguirre and Pedro
de Gamboa.
 Proceeding to Bohol, Legazpi befriended two native kings – Sikatuna and Sigala.
 On March 16, 1565, he made the famous blood compact with Chieftain Rajah Sikatuna.
 Contrary to what they have expected, the neighboring people were unfriendly. The More pilot
explained to them that the native’s hostility was because of the Portuguese who had poisoned
their minds.
 Because of lack of food, they had sailed to Cebu.

The Conquest of Cebu

 On April 25, 1565, the fleet entered Cebu. However, King Tupas and his people refused to receive
them peacefully, so Legazpi used their cannons and bombarded the town.
 When they have successfully landed unopposed, they immediately proceeded to the
establishment of the first Spanish settlement. It is a triangular town which Legazpi named as City
 of the Most Holy Name of Jesus in 1525. This is the oldest Spanish city in the country which is now
Cebu City.
 After the establishment of Spanish settlement, he tried to win King Tupas and his people. With the
assistance of Muslim Malay, Legazpi was able to win the friendship of King Tupas and his people.

The Conversion of King Tupas

 The Rajah Tupas made a peace treaty with Legazpi and promised to be faithful vassals of the King
of Spain.
 King Tupas sent one of his nieces to be baptized together with her 3 year old son and two slaves.
 Fr. De Rada who knew Bisayan dialect explained the importance of the ceremony. Fr. De Herrera
performed the rites while Legazpi acted as the godfather to the neophyte and named her Isabel in
memory of his wife.
 The most sensational conversion was that of King Tupas and his son because they refused to
abandon the religion of their ancestors for a long time. Legazpi became their godfather. King
Tupas was named Felipe in honor of Philip II, king of Spain, while his son is named Carlos like the
King of Spain’s son.

Conquest and Occupation of Manila

 Martin de Goyti and Juan de Salcedo, grandson of Legazpi, went ahead to Manila. They
established friendly relations to Rajah Matanda and Rajah Soliman, lords of Manila.
 Solimas, who loved his independence, plotted a surprise attack on the Spanish squadron. De
Goyti, however, sensed it and successfully assaulted the entrenchment capturing Soliman’s entire
artillery.
 Legazpi went to Manila to talk and negotiate with 2 friendly Rajahs- Matanda and Lakandula. They
agreed to live peacefully with the Spaniards. Hesitantly, Soliman offered his vassalage to the King
of Spain.
 The other parts of the country were not conquered by force but by the zeal of the missionaries. It
can be said that conquest and continuance of the Philippines were the works of the missionaries
rather than those of the “conquistadores”.

The motives of the Spanish colonization can be summed up by the phrase Gold, Gospel and Glory.

Gold- foremost goal was to take control of the economic wealth of the archipelago.

Gospel- desire of Spain to spread Christianity

Glory- Spain, likewise, desired political grandeur.

Hispanization of the Natives