First Voyage Around the World by Antonio Pigafetta

Content and Contextual Analysis

The content of Antonio Pigafetta shares the detailed voyage of Ferdinand Magellan, a
Portuguese navigator who gained confidence and support from the monarchy of Spain in
rediscovering the Philippine Island in 1521. The period of discovery and expansionism began in
the 15th Century.

few important details about Antonio’s experience during Ferdinand Magellan's Voyage
to the Philippine Island. On March 15, 1521, Magellan and his crew arrived in an isle named
Zamal. On March 18, 1521, came natives who joyously welcome the crew of Magellan. As
described by Pigafetta “being joyous at our arrival”. This just shows one of our attitudes as
Filipinos and that is being hospitable and friendly.
Magellan gave them red caps, mirrors, comb, and other things seeing that the natives are
reasonable men. When the natives saw the politeness of the captain, they too presented some
fish, and a vessel of palm wine; Uraca, in their language and other resources. He wrote about and
witness our pre-colonized Filipinos' lives and cultural life and livelihood.
During his stay he also mentioned and describe the appearance of our ancestors “Caphre,
kind of people who wear holes in their ears so large that they can pass their arms through
theme; these people are tawny, fat, and painted; their hair very black and long, reaching to the
waist, and they carry small daggers and knives, ornamented with gold, and many other things,
such as darts, harpoons, and nets to fish”
Through the successful influence of Magellan, the faith of the people on the island which
he gave a primitive name of the “Archipelago of St. Lazarus” has conquered. Because on March
25th they had Passion week and feast of our Lady, after that they departed in the afternoon.
Magellan and his crew went to Zzubu on April 7, upon hearing positive reports from the
King. But they were not immediately warmly welcomed, for they were asked to pay tribute
however Magellan refused to do so. A negotiation then was done through a notary. The King of
Zubu asked for a drop of their blood as their sign of friendship, to which they both agreed.
During his stay, Magellan’s power to influence the faith of people also worked.

The contextual analysis was very detailed and information-rich. It contains vivid
descriptions of pre-colonized Filipinos' lives and culture, such as their food and drinks, our
wealth in terms of natural resources, appearances, livelihood, and religion, where Magellan
converted some of the natives to Christianity as previously mentioned. This merely demonstrates
that civilization and political systems existed before their arrival on the archipelago.
Thus, Pigefetta's account of events enriched Philippine historiography because it contains
important details about the Visayan Islands in the 16th century.