FIRST VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD BY ANTONIO PIGAFETTA (1519-1522)

Personal Background of the Author

 Antonio Pigafetta - unknown birthday - between 1480-1491
 Venetian
 From a noble family
 He studied astronomy, geography, and cartography.

Professional Background of the Author

 He was a venetian scholar.

 He was a venetian explorer.
 He joined Magellan's expedition. (The expedition happened on August 1519 until September
1522)
 Pigafetta served as Magellan's assistant.
 His composition is not purely text, it also has images and drawings.
 He was one of the 18 men who survived the expedition.
 He returned in Spain on September 1522
There were 200-257 people who joined the expedition (Magellan's fleet) but only 18 survived.

Primary goals of the expedition:

 To find the spice islands (Indonesia)
 To spread the teachings of Christianity

ABOUT THE READINGS

 Age of Exploration/Discovery - a period from approximately the 15th century to the 17th
century, during which seafarers from a number of European countries explored, colonized, and
conquered regions across the globe.
 Mercantilism-system of economic nationalism that sought to increase the prosperity and power
of a nation through restrictive trade practices.

"A time where the riches of a country are being measured by precious metals like gold."

 1519-the expedition started.

 1522-the expedition ended.
 1525-Pigafetta's 3 volumes of book were published.

Reasons for the Published Document

 Pigafetta was a participant

 He has a first hand information which is a very good source of data
 To form the information about what happened in the expedition
 To report the dates and other details

Condition of Society when document was produced - 16th century

 Colonialism/Imperialism - the expansion of territory
 Spain colonized different locations for power
  Evangelization-sending missionaries in the different parts of the world (the missionaries built
parishes to teach the colonized people about Christianity)

OTHERS:

 Barangay-balangay "boat" which consists of 100-200 families

 16th Century-the Philippines is in a state of Pre-Colonial
 First attempt of colonization - the Magellan's expedition
 Pigafetta describes the Filipinos as uncivilized and barbaric

CONTENT ANALYSIS of the First Voyage Around the World

 Westward - the route that was used during the expedition
 Treaty of the Tordesillas- It is an agreement between Spain and Portugal to settle conflicts over
lands newly discovered or explored by Christopher Columbus.
 King Manuel 1-king of Portugal
 King Charles - king of Spain
 Ships used:

 Trinidad: flagship of Magellan's fleet

 Victoria: the only ship that came back to Spain embarked by 18 survivors
 San Antonio
 Santiago
 Conception

 Juan Sebastian Elcano- the first person who circumnavigated

 Tattoo - it is a form of status
 Blood Compact - an ancient ritual in the Philippines intended to seal a friendship or
treaty, or to validate an agreement
 It was performed by Ferdinand Magellan and the King of Zubu
 Politism- belief in gods or goddesses
 Idolatry - worshiping of idols
 Animism-possessed by spirits

Political Aspect
 Social Hierarchy
 Datu
 Nobles
 Commoners
 Slaves

 Ferdinand Magellan befriended the leaders and thus, introduced Christianity

 Limasawa - the site of the first mass (March 31, 1521: the mass happened and they erected a
cross on top of mountain)

 Homonhon - the place where Magellan's fleet landed (March 16, 1521: arrival of Magellan's
fleet)
  Samal
 April 6, 1521-Magellan's fleet set eyes on Cebu
 April 7, 1521-the battle of Mactan occurred
Magellan was killed by the forces of Lapu-Lapu

Issues that Pigafetta saw when they arrived at the Philippines

 The very vast way of life of the native

 Demonstration of power of Magellan to establish authority
 Miguel Lopez: first governor general of the Philippines and he established spanish settlement in
Cebu
 Conversion and introduction of new religion

RELEVANCE of the document

 Depicted the Philippine society and views

 Unsuccessful attempt of colonization
 Death of general Ferdinand Magellan
 Introduced the concepts including the idea of globalization
 To prove the shape of Earth
 Catholicism the faith, practice, and church order of the Roman Catholic Church
 Discovery of the vast water form - Pacific Ocean
 Debunked the idea that there is a boiling water in the equator

Valuable to Reader
 Shapes the understanding of the history
 Emphasizing the Filipino traits and hospitality
 Deals the esteem of the Filipinos proving them as civilized due to common practices