First Voyage Around the World:

Philippine’s Historical Antecedence

O n the surface, the best thing about Pigafetta’s journal in the First Voyage Around the World is
its intent to marvel at what he encounters and wonder as he reveals odd to odder discoveries
in nature, people, and their culture-bound to great contributions to the world’s history that
neither he has seen not. Be as it may, one must consider that it paved light as the Philippines find
enlightenment of its antiquity embarked through words and imagery thereof.

Having been called by scholars “the literary epitome of its genre”, Antonio Pigafetta’s chronicle in his
1525 travelogue did not only provide features of the past but also ushered its readers of the majestic
three-year voyage that circumnavigated the globe for the first time in world history—Magellan
expedition. In fact, until the building of the Panama Canal in the twentieth century, this route was the
only way for ships to connect the East and the West across the sea for four centuries.

Records of maritime and geographic presentation of the east going straight to Moluccas is merely the
tip of the iceberg as the chronic marked traces of the Philippines’ language, culture, people, and
nationalism.

Started when the Spaniards, on March 16, 1521, came upon the island of Samar, the great encounter of
both lands met for the first time, however, it is not always the case. Nonetheless, serves as primary
bases to link our identity to our history.

Spirit of Hospitality: “We saw a boat coming toward us with nine men in it, giving signs of joy because
of our arrival “.

To create a destination after crossing battle with Marianas Island, the voyagers, looking for a sign of life
stumbled on an island in the eastern part of the country. Pigafetta used the word “joy” to contemplate
the emotion coming from the native people as they welcome the arrival of the Spaniards. That is, it has
become evident that early Filipinos had always been in the practice of hospitality that is embarked until
today.

Places written in the journal reflect the archipelago’s set of language in the past time.

“In an island named Zamal” or to say Samar Island had been narrated in the journal. There are more to
be seen such as Humunu or now Homonhon Island and Uraca, a jar of palm wine. It is also along the
passage of the word Mazaua, a place which had been believed to be conducting the first mass in
Philippine history, now called Limasawa. Much of being said is the significance of these words as key to
understanding the language in the past times.
Hail to Raias “Rajas”, a call for finest looking men! —what were the faces of the first Filipino people?

“His hair was exceedingly black and hung to his shoulders. He wore two large golden earrings fastened in
his ears. He wore a cotton cloth all embroidered with silk, and at his side a dagger. He was tawny and
painted (tattooed) all over.”

Great imagery has set in place when describing the faces and physical appearances of the first people as
Pigafetta provided much information for that. He also added that these people had seen three spots of
gold on every tooth and of great awe, he also said that the dishes of the king are made out of gold. With
this encounter, therein lies much of its appeal for these words powerfully described the physical
appearances of the beautiful people of the Philippines.

We can now attest that the chronicle is not about the battle of Magellan and Lapu-Lapu.

Having been familiar with the great Mactan Battle between a chief captain and a rajah with their people,
it is just an underlying façade that covers something worth more than the battle. Only a few could
understand that it is about a leader who refused to obey the king of Spain. This could be understood as
the first nationalism one has for his territory, for his country. Neither Lapu-Lapu and his people nor their
lances of bamboo and stakes hardened with fire chose to bow down to compromise their land, instead
of fighting and winning.

Whether or not the fact that this written account can be considered reliable as bases for the country’s
historical antecedents, it is only the sole evidence of our past and identity. Whereas, the author
undeniably had direct contact with the events recorded in his journal and that therefore a primary
source contributed much to our country.

Therefore, since what is written in this journal has been fact-checked by the historians and evidence to
preserve the nature of the account had been lifted, and as it narrated the culture, language, people, and
other related events situated in the Philippines, one must conclude that it could be and must be one of
the bases of our history.