ANTONIO PIGAFETTA: FIRST VOYAGE AROUND THE

WORLD
I. Background of the Author
Antonio Pigafetta was born in 1491, in the province of Vicenza in Italy. He is also known as Antonio
Lombardo or Francisco Antonio Pigafetta. Antonio Pigafetta also died in Vicenza, Italy in 1534. He was a
scholar and explorer from the Republic of Venice. He was a seafarer and geographer.
One of the facts about Antonio Pigafetta is that he was part of the first world circumnavigation that was
started by the Portuguese explorer named Ferdinand Magellan.
He traveled with Ferdinand Magellan and his crew by order of the King Charles I of Spain on their
voyage to the Indies. During the expedition, he served as Magellan’s assistant and kept an accurate journal
which later assisted him in translating one of the Philippine languages, Cebuano. It is the first recorded
document concerning this language.
This first world voyage was one of the greatest achievements in the history of navy exploration. This
voyage began to sail in 1519 with five ships. However, its leader was killed in 1521, and the next year, only
one ship returned to Spain with a few men. Antonio Pigafetta was one of the few survivors.
Many years later, Antonio Pigafetta’s chronicles about his detailed journey about the first trip
around the world was rescued in 1797, and it is currently considered as one of the most important
documentary evidences about various discoveries in terms of world geography within the sixteenth
century. It is known as “First Voyage Around the World” in English. This is one of the most valuable
contributions of Antonio Pigafetta.

II. Historical Background of the Document

First Voyage Around the World by Antonio Pigafetta
I. Objectives of Spanish and Portuguese (European) Exploration
- Economy, Religion, Politics / God, Gold, Glory
II. Why were the Portuguese and Spanish first explored?
• Spain and Portugal were among the first European nations to explore because. hey were bordered by
the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
III. Why did Magellan came to Spain?
Ferdinand Magellan (a Portuguese sea captain sailing for Spain) had an important goal when he left
the town of Seville on the 10th of August, 1519: Find a westward route to the Spice (Maluku) Islands.
The expedition's goal was to find a western route to the Moluccas (Spice Islands). Magellan left Spain
on 20 September 1519, sailed across the Atlantic, and discovered the strait that now bears his name,
allowing him to pass through South America into the Pacific Ocean (which he named).
IV. Situation of Expedition of Ferdinand Magellan
In search of fame and fortune, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan (c. 1480-1521) set out
from Spain in September 20, 1519 with a fleet of five ships to discover a western sea route to the rich
Spice Islands of Indonesia. In command of five ships and 270 men, Magellan sailed to West Africa and
then to Brazil, where he searched the South American coast for a strait that would take him to the Pacific.
With that, he discovered what is now known as the Strait of Magellan and became the first European to
cross the Pacific Ocean.
V. Antonio Pigafetta’s HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE DOCUMENT
Antonio Pigafetta was a key player of one of the most amazing world exploration trips. He was born
in Vicenza in 1492, and he was an Italian seafarer and geographer.
The relevance of his own venture, fundamentally lies in the fact that he took part to the first globe
circumnavigation, between 1519 and 1522, and he was able to accomplish it after the murder of Ferdinand
Magellan, leaving a detailed description of the journey in the Report of the first trip around the world, a
lost manuscript that was rescued later, in 1797, and today is considered one of the most important
documentary evidence relating the geographical discoveries of the Sixteenth Century.
Antonio Pigafetta, fascinating and fleeing personality, for scholars he still represents a partial
mystery. About him too little is known to define a satisfactory profile on the biographical side. Documents
and the testimony of contemporaneous are scarces, and his own character primarily appears from what he
wrote in his own report.
His own narration about the first world circumnavigation was one of the greatest achievements in
the history of navy exploration and discovery.
In this narration can be found descriptions of peoples, countries, goods and even the languages that
were spoken, of which the seafarer was trying to assemble some brief glossaries.
Pigafetta tells how, being in Barcelona in 1519, he heard about Magellan’s expedition, and being
wishful to learn about the world, he asked for and obtained the permission to join in the voyage.
Magellan’s fleet weighed anchor from Seville on August 10th of the same year with five smaller
vessels, heading towards Canary Islands and down along the African coast, and across the Equator. From
there they sailed towards Brazil coast, where they stayed for some time, making supplies and weaving
friendly contacts with the cannibalistic natives who dwelled there.
Moving on, then they arrived in Patagonia, where they spent winter months in a desolate solitude.
They met local people, who looked like giants in their eyes full of wonder, because of their robust body
types.
They survived the mutiny of one of the captains and some disgruntled sailors, and continued the
exploration of the coast. One of the vessels was drowned, but the whole crew managed to be saved.
They proceeded until the discovery of the strait, named after, Magellan himself, on October 21st
1520, and went through, although one of the ships deserted, sailing back to Spain.
Finally, they arrived in the Philippines, where they became acquainted with the natives who proved
hospitable and welcomed them as guests in the king’s palace. The indigenous people, affected by the
celebration of Mass and the crucifix planted in the island, promised to convert to Christianity.
Quickly they developed commerce and trade, and the king, the queen and other notables of Cebu
were converted, until the entire population rapidly followed them in the new religion.
Shortly after, happened the disastrous episode that changed the course of the expedition. Magellan
took part in a conflict between some local tribes and was killed. The rest of the expedition managed to
escape and retired, preparing to leave, but a trap set by Magellan’s interpreter and the king of Cebu, led to
another massacre of the Europeans.
 The surviving ships continued toward Borneo and to the city of Brunei, where they managed to
stock up, then from there, traveling southbound, they came to the Moluccas, 27 months after the departure
from Spain, finding a warm welcome by an astrologer king who had predicted their arrival.
But at this point, despite the perspective of good business and the rich exchanges that would lie
ahead, their desire to return to Spain urged them and pushed them to a quick return.
VI. QUESTIONS ABOUT HISTORICAL DOCUMENT

• What are some facts about the author that makes him dependable in writing the document?
He is a primary source and he was present during the expedition wherein our conclusion, that makes him
very much dependable in writing his documents.

• In the Philippine History, what did the document tackled?

It talks about the discovery of the Philippines

• What are some facts that the document tells about Filipinos and life in the Philippines at the time it was
written?
It was said in the book that the Spaniards observed that Filipinos were very hospitable. Even in that time,
Filipinos already have a form of government even before the civilization. They also noticed that Philippines was rich
in gold, spice, coconut and silk.

• What world/regional/domestic events affected the Philippines in general during this period?
Magellan’s voyage vast leads the geographical knowledge of mankind and proved once and for all that the Earth is
round. Since his discovery of the Philippines, it broad the archipelago into the awareness that Europeans paved the
way to Spanish colonization and civilization. The socio-economic status improved pigafetta’s own narration about
the Philippines: it tells us about culture and languages that we all had in our past.

III. CONTENT PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE IMPORTANT HISTORICAL

INFORMATION
FIRST CIRCUMNAVIGATION AROUND THE WORLD FERDINAND MAGELLAN – JUAN SEBASTIÁN EL
CANO
The crew of about 237 included men from several nations.
Spanish authorities were wary of Magellan
-included about 40 Portuguese
-among them Magellan's brother-in-law Duarte Barbosa, Juan Serrano, a relative of Francisco Serrão,
Estêvão Gomes and also Magellan's indentured servant Enrique of Malacca.
In September 1519 Magellan’s fleet sailed from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain, and crossed the Atlantic
Ocean. The fleet reached South America a little more than one month later. There the ships sailed
southward, hugging the coast in search of the fabled strait that would allow passage through South
America.
On October 21, 1520 Magellan finally entered the strait that he had been seeking and that came to bear
his name. The voyage through the strait was dangerous and cold, and many sailors continued to mistrust
their leader and grumble about the dangers of the journey ahead.
After more than a month spent traveling the strait, Magellan’s remaining fleet emerged in November
1520 to behold a vast ocean before them. They were the first known Europeans to see the great ocean,
which Magellan named Mar Pacifico, the Pacific Ocean.
Little was known about the geography beyond South America at that time, and Magellan optimistically
estimated that the trip across the Pacific would be rapid. In fact it took three months for the fleet to make
its way slowly across the vast Mar Pacifico.
– In Pigafetta’s account, their fleet reached what he called the LADRONES ISLANDS or the “Islands of the
Thieves.” He recounted: “These people have no arms, but use sticks, which have a fish bone at the end. They
are poor, but ingenious, and great thieves, and for the sake of that we call these three islands the Ladrones
Islands.”
The Ladrones Islands
– The Ladrones Islands is presently known as the Marianas Islands. Ten days after they have reached
Ladrones Islands, Pigafetta reported that they have what he called the Isle of Zamal, now Samar but
Magellan decided to land in another uninhabited island for greater security where they could rest for a few
days. – On MARCH 18, nine men came to them and showed joy and eagerness in seeing them. Magellan
realized that the men were reasonable and welcomed them with food, drinks and gifts.
– Pigafetta detailed in amazement and fascination the palm tree which bore fruits called cochos and wine.
– He characterized the people as “very familiar and friendly” and willingly showed them different islands
and the names of these islands. The fleet went to Humunu Island (Homonhon) and there they found what
he referred to as the “Watering Place of Good Signs.” for it is in this place that they found the first signs of
gold in the island. They named the island together with a nearby island as the archipelago of St. Lazarus.
– On March 25th, Pigafetta recounted that they saw two balanghai (balangay), a long boat full of people in
Mazzava/Mazaus. The leader whom he referred to the king became closely bonded with Magellan as they
both exchanged gifts to one another.
– After a few days, Magellan was introduced to the king’s brother who was also a king of another island
where Pigafetta reported that they saw mines of gold. The gold was abundant that parts of the ship and of
the house of the king were made of gold. This king was named Raia Calambu, king of Zuluan and Calagan
(Butuan and Caragua), and the first king was Raia Siagu.
– On March 31st (Easter Sunday), Magellan ordered the chaplain to preside a Mass by the shore. The king
heard about this plan and sent two dead pigs and attended the Mass with the other king. Pigafetta then
wrote: “…when the offertory of the mass came, the two kings, went to kiss the cross like us, but they offered
nothing, and at the elevation of the body of our Lord they were kneeling like us, and adored our Lord with
joined hands.” This was the first Mass in the Philippines, and the cross would be famed Magellan’s Cross
which is still preserved at present day. This was the same cross which Magellan explained to the kings as a
sign of his emperor who ordered him to plan it in the places where he would reach and further explained
that once other Spaniards saw this cross, then they would know that they had been in this island and would
not cause them troubles.
– By April 7th, Magellan and his men reached the port of Zzubu (Cebu) with the help of Raja Humabon who
offered to pilot them in going to the island. The kind of Cebu demanded that they pay tribute as it was
customary but Magellan refused. By the next day, Magellan’s men and the king of Cebu, together with other
principal men of Cebu, met in an open space. There the king offered a bit of his blood and demanded that
Magellan do the same.
– On April 14, Magellan spoke to the kind and encouraged him to be a good Christian by burning all of the
idols and worship the cross instead. The king of Cebu was then baptized as a Christian. After 8 days, all of
the island’s inhabitant were already baptized.
– When the queen came to the Mass one day, Magellan gave her an image of the Infant Jesus made by
Pigafetta himself.
– On 26th of April, Zula, a principal man from the island of Matan (Mactan) went to see Magellan and asked
him for a boat full of men so that he would be able to fight the chief name Silapulapu (Lapulapu). Magellan
offered 3 boats instead and went to Mactan to fight the said chief.
– They numbered 49 in total and the islanders of Mactan were estimated to number 1,500. Magellan died
in battle. He was pierced with a poison arrow in his right leg. The king of Cebu who was baptized offered
help but Magellan refused so that he could see how they fought.
– The kind also offered the people of Mactan gifts of any value and amount in exchange of Magellan’s body
but the chief refused and wanted to keep Magellan’s body as a memento of their victory.
– Magellan’s men then elected Duarte Barbosa as the new captain.
– Pigafetta also accounted how Magellan’s slave and interpreter named Henry betrayed them and told the
king of Cebu that they intended to leave as soon as possible. Henry and the king of Cebu conspired and
betrayed what was left of Magellan’s men. The king invited these men to a gathering where he said he
would present the jewels that he would send for the King of Spain.
– After Magellan’s death, a series of men took command of the expedition, but none of them stayed in charge
for longer than a few months. As one of the few remaining men, Juan Sebastian el Cano took charge of one
of the two surviving ships, the Victoria, later that year. He safely brought the expedition home to Spain in
September 1522, despite scurvy and starvation.
– On September 8, 1522, the crew of the Victoria cast anchor in the waters off of Seville, Spain, having just
completed the first circumnavigation of the world.

IV. Contribution and relevance of the document in understanding the Grand

Narrative of Philippine History
1. How relevant the documents in reconstructing the past of the Philippines and its people?
• The relevance of the document lies in the fact that Antonio Pigafetta took part to the first globe
circumnavigation, between 1519 and 1522, and he was able to finish it after the murder of Ferdinand
Magellan, leaving a detailed description of the journey reporting the first trip around the world.
• A lost Manuscript was rescued in 1797 and considered one of the most important documentary
evidences relating the geographical discoveries of the sixteenth century.
• Antonio Pigafetta kept a detailed journal, the original of which is lost. However, an account of the
voyage, written by Pigafetta between 1522 and 1525, survives in four manuscript versions: one in
Italian and three in French. This version, in French, is from the library of Yale University, and is the
most complete and handsomely produced of the four surviving manuscripts. It includes 23 beautifully
drawn and illuminated maps.
• The document gave enough information about what was in the past about the Philippine history. We
were able to gain knowledge about our ancestors, past tradition and culture.
2. Significance of the document in the following:
❖ Scholars and historians
➢ Gives important details about the condition of the Visayan Island in 1970 including the
activities, cultural practices and social economic status that tells what were the Philippines
had before.
❖ Economy
➢ The ways and means of trading system, mostly the things that carried out of the country.
➢ Discovery of the different kinds of products in the Philippines such as fabrics, herbs, perfume,
porcelain, carpets and other products.
❖ Geography
➢ Proving that the world is not flat but an oblate spheroid.
❖ Religion
➢ The document narrated how Catholic religion started in the Philippines and how Catholic
Faith and beliefs was embraced by Filipino people.
❖ Youth
➢ The information in the document gave inspiration to the youth that indeed we have our
sovereignty and identity as a Filipino.
❖ Socio culture
➢ The good traits and physical appearance of Filipinos were identified and recognized.
❖ Politics
➢ Introduces the personalities, crucial bravery and guaranteed defense of the Philippines.