Surname, Given Name, Middle Initial Mr. Jonel N.

Caneso

Section Unit 2 The First Voyage Around the World & Customs of the

Tagalogs

1. Using a world and Philippine map, trace the route of the Magellan expedition.

Figure 1: Tracing the routes of Magellan’s Expedition

2. Discuss what makes Pigafetta’s account on Magellan’s expedition essential in

understanding pre-16th century Filipinos.

The account written by Antonio Pigafetta from 1519 to 1522 about the First Voyage

around the World, are based on his personal experiences during the expedition and most of the
records were grounded on his own thoughts, learnings, and realizations. The account narrated

Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines, his initial exploits, the friendships he established with the

natives and his eventual death. The account also includes the subsequent trials that the surviving

crew endured before they were able to return to Spain. To scholars, Pigafetta’s account serves as

an important eye-witness account on the first circumnavigation of the globe.

Pigafetta’s account is very essential in understanding the Filipinos that lived in the 16th

century. His account was a primary source which is also the main basis for most of the

knowledge we have about Magellan and Elcano’s voyage. As a primary source, he gave readers

with firsthand information vital for the discovery of world history, especially of the Philippines.

The narrated account provides knowledge of the life of the early Filipinos as shown in the

writings of Pigafetta, describing early dialects and practices. Through his account, we gained

knowledge about the first international relations of the country that rose from simple trade and

commerce. It also paved the way for understanding the conversion of the Filipino natives from

paganism to Catholicism in which that it becomes a valid basis of the spread of Christianity in

the country. The document is also one of the early proofs of life in the Visayas region.

Pigafetta’s depiction on how the natives were dressed and about their appearances shows the

early lives of the Visayan ancestors and how they lived in the islands in peace. Therefore,

Pigafetta's account, the source for much of what is known about the earliest voyages paved the

way of deeper understanding about our early Filipino ancestors.

3.Analyze the content of Fray de Plasencia’s account. Focusing on the relation on the

worship and beliefs of the Tagalogs, does the language or description used in the account

suggest bias of any sort? (Do you think that this account is bias?)

-iba’t ibang gods and goddesses like in Greece

-catolonan; religious leader

-heathens

-infidels

-pagan practices as devil worship

- “May the honor and glory be God our Lord's, that among all the Tagalos [sic] not a trace of this is left;

and that those who are now marrying do not even know what it is, thanks to the preaching of the holy

gospel, which has banished it.”

- About the author and summary. (rephrase from internet)

Some offensive words were used by the author like infidel. Sinabi niya din na pagsamba sa devil

ang ginagawa ng mga catalonan when in fact it’s a pagan practice. He also rank them. He also has a

remark at the end,

Customs of the tagalogs depicts the traditions, beliefs, and culture of the filipinos during pre-

spanish period. It is a collection of observations and judgment written by friar-missionaries. Although

Fray de Plasencia is the one being tasked by the King of Spain, he said that he cant witness all of it so he

collected information from natives which he trusts most and from there makes a conclusion to further

understand the customs of the tagalogs.

Customs of the tagalogs by Plasencia mainly discusses the caste system, marriage, divorce,

inheritance, punishments and worships and beliefs of the tagalog. In the modern time, it helps as to

know that we filipinos has our own beliefs and culture but this accounts may suggest bias about our

worship and beliefs because it is written by a friar missionaries who are Christians.
 On the Worship Practices of the Tagalogs, The tagalogs have no temple although they use the

term “simabahan” which means a place of adoration but “pandot” or worship were not celebrated

there. Nagaanitoss.

Filipinos also has gods and goddesses like in other countries like Greece, rome, japan and china.

Filipinos also believes in superstitious events during pre-spanish period up until now.

They also offer sacrifices for many reasons like The recovery of sick person, The prosperous

voyage, Propitious result in war, Good harvest, Successful deliver of childbirth and Happy outcome in

married life

There were also distinctions made among the priests of the devil.

On the belief on death and other associated rituals, placensia stated that “ These infidels said

that they knew that there was another life of rest…” He labeled them as infidels instead of just

saying Negrillos or Aetas.

He also has a remark at the end “May the honor and glory be God our Lord's, that among all

the Tagalos [sic] not a trace of this is left; and that those who are now marrying do not even know what

it is, thanks to the preaching of the holy gospel, which has banished it.” Implying that Catholicism was

able to expel primitive and evil belief systems of the Tagalogs regarding gods, burials and superstitions