Portuguese Explorer who organized the Spanish Expeditions to the East Indies from

1519-1522 to search for a western route to the Maluku Islands (also known as the
Spice Island) resulting in the first circumnavigation of the Earth.

Antonio Pigafetta traveled with Ferdinand Magellan and his crew by order of King
Charles 1 of Spain on their Voyage around the world.

The first voyage around the world by Magellan reveals several insights not just
into the character of the Philippines during the pre-colonial period, but also into
how the fresh eyes of the European regard a deeply unfamiliar terrain, environment,
people, and culture.

Antonio Pigafetta wrote his firsthand observation and general impression of the Far
East including their Experiences in the Visayas. In Pigafetta’s account, their
fleet reached what he called the Ladrones Islands or the “Islands of the Thieves.”
He said, "These people have no arms, but use sticks, which have a fishbone at the
end. They are poor, but ingenious, and great thieves, and for the sake of that we
called these three islands the Ladrones Islands”

Ladrones Islands
Presently known as Marianas Islands. It is located south-southeast of Japan, west-
southwest of Hawaii, north of New Guinea, and east of the Philippines.

Pigafetta said that they reach the isle of Zamal, now Samar, but Magellan decided
to land on another uninhabited island for greater security where they could rest
for a few days. After two days, on March 18, nine men came to them and show joy and
eagerness in seeing them and welcomed them with food, drinks, and gifts. The
natives gave them: Fish, Palm, wine (uraca), figs, 2 cochos, Rice (umai), and
cocos. Pigafetta described it as “very familiar and friendly” and they willingly
showed them different islands and the names of these islands. They went to Humunu
Island (Homonhon) (Watering Place of Good Signs) where they found the first signs
of gold on the island. They named the island with the nearby islands the
Archipelago of St. Lazarus where they saw two ballangai (balangay).

Balangai is a long boat full of people in Mazzava. The leader (king Raia Siagu)
sent his men to the ship of Magellan. The king offered to give Magellan a bar of
gold and a chest of ginger, but he declined. Instead, Magellan asked for money for
the needs of his ships. The king responded by giving them the needed provisions and
food in chinaware. In return, Magellan exchanged gifts of robes in Turkish
fashions, red caps, knives, and mirrors. And the two men expressed their desire to
become brothers. Magellan also boasted of his men in armor who could not be struck
with swords and daggers. The king was fascinated and remarked that men in such
armor could be worth a hundred of his men.

March 31, 1521

Magellan ordered the chaplain to preside a Mass by the shore. The king sent two
dead pigs and attended the Mass with the other king. After the Mass, Magellan
ordered that the cross be brought with nails and crowned in place. He explained
that the cross, the nail, and the crown were the signs of his emperor and that he
was ordered to plant it in the places that he would reach and the cross would be
beneficial for their people because once the Spaniards saw this cross, then they
would know that they had been in this land and would not cause them troubles, and
any person who might be held captives by them would be released.

April 27, 1521

Zula, a principal man from the island of Matan (Mactan) went to see Magellan and
ask him for a boat full of men so that he could fight the chief name Silalapulapu
(Lapulapu). According to Zula, Lapulapu refused to obey the king and was also
preventing him from doing so. Magellan offered three boats and went to Mactan
himself to fight Lapulapu. They arrived in Mactan in daylight with 49 in number
while the islanders of Mactan were estimated to number 1500. The captain shouted
not to fire, but he was not listened to. They drew nearer to Magellan, throwing
arrows, javelins, spears hardened in the fire, stones, and even mud, so that they
could hardly defend themselves. Some of them cast lances pointed with iron at the
captain-general. Magellan died in the battle.
The natives perceived that the bodies of the enemies were protected with armor, sp
they aimed for their legs instead. Magellan was pierced with a poisoned arrow in
his right leg.