Ferdinand Magellan’s Voyage to the Philippines
Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition have led him into the discovery of the
Philippines where a series of events happened and lead Magellan into his
fate. This paper analyzes three events that played a significant role in the
history of Filipinos, namely: the location and date of the first Mass, the Mass
that was held in Cebu where a beautiful wooden child Jesus was introduced
by Pigafetta and Ferdinand Magellan’s fate at Mactan Island in April 1521.
Ferdinand Magellan is widely regarded as having been an outstanding
seaman and navigator. His seamanship in sailing from Spain to the
Philippines was remarkable. His voyage over vast distances through some of
the stormiest seas on earth and across the world’s largest ocean was an epic
feat of exploration.
The Location and Date of the first Mass
The first mass was held on Mazaua (Limasawa) in March 1521 though
there’s have been argument between the Limasawa versus Butuan camps
but it is irrefutably decided in favor of “Limasawa”. The mass was attended
by Magellan, Rajah Colambu, Rajah Siagu, Spanish voyagers, and the local
islanders. In my perspective, this event really had a very big impact on us
Filipinos because this event was the reason why we Filipinos became
Christians and this occurrence is the First Holy Mass that marked the birth of
Roman Catholicism in the Philippines.
The Mass that was held in Cebu where a beautiful wooden child
Jesus was introduced by Pigafetta
The mass that was held in Cebu is the second mass dated April 1521 in
participant of Rajah Humabon and his people. A total of 800 people were
baptized by that time. Moreover, Pigafetta showed the queen an image of
our Lady, a beautiful wooden child Jesus and a cross and the queen asked for
the little child to keep in place of her idols and this image of child Jesus is
now known as the St. Nińo found in Cebu.
Ferdinand Magellan’s fate at Mactan Island in April 1521
Magellan offended Cilapulapu because Rajah Humabon was entitled as
the “Christian King” after the christening and Cilapulapu have considered
himself as the local ruler and not Rajah Humabon. Because of that Cilapulapu
