Using primary sources in historical research entails two kinds of)
criticism. The first one is the external criticism, and the second one is the
internal criticism. External criticism examines the authenticity of
document or the evidence being used. This is important in ensuring that the
primary source is not fabricated. The second is the internal criticism. The
type of criticism examines the truthfulness of the content of the evidence
However, this criticism requires not just the act establishing truthfulnes
and/or accuracy but also the examination of the primary sources in term
of the context of its production. For example, a historian would have &
situate the document in the period of its production, or in the background
of its authors. In other words, it should be recognized that facts are neithe
existing in a vacuum nor produced from a blank slate. These are products a
the time and of the people.
In this chapter, we are going to look at a number of primary so
from different historical periods and evaluate these documents’ content a
terms of historical value, and examine the context of their production.
primary sources that we are going to examine are Antonio Pigafetta’s Fi
Voyage Around the World, Emilio Jacinto's Kartilya ng Katipunan, the 188
Declaration of Philippine Independence, Political Cartoon’s Alfred McCoy’
Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era (1900-1941
and Corazon Aquino’s Speech Before the US Congress. These primary source:
range from chronicles, official documents, speeches, and cartoons to vis
arts, Needless to say, different types of sources necessitate different kinds a
analysis and contain different levels of importance. We are going to explo
that in this chapter.
A Brief Summary of the First Voyage Around
the World by Magellan by Antonio Pigafetta
This book was taken from the chronicles of contemporary voyag
and navigators of the 16th century. One of them was Italian noblem
Antonio Pigafetta, who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan in his fa’
circumnavigation of the world. Pigafetta’s work instantly became a cla
that prominent literary men in the West like William Shakespe
Michel de Montaigne, and Giambattista Vico referred to the book in the
interpretation of the new world. Pigafetta’s travelogue is one ‘ef the mo
important primary source in the study of the pre-colonial Philippines. Hi
account was also a major referent to the events leading to Magellan’s arriv
in the Philippines, his encounter with local leaders, his death in the hands
Lapulapu's forces in the Battle of Mactan, and in the departure of what v
left of Magellan’s fleet from the islands.
12 Readings in Philippine HistoryExamining the document reveals several insights not Just in the
character of the Philippines during the pre-cclonial peried but also on
how the fresh eyes of the Europeans regard a deeply unfamiliar terrain,
environment, people, and culture-~Locating Pigafetta’s account in the
context of its writing warrants a familiarity on the dominant frame of
mind in the age of exploration which pervaded Europe in the 15th and 16th
century. Students of history need to realize that primary sources used in
the subsequent written histories depart from certain perspectives. Thus,
Pigafetta’s account is also written from the perspective of Pigafetta himself,
and was a product of the context of its production. The First Voyage Around
the World by Magellan was published after Pigafetta returned to Italy, For
this chapter, we will focus on the chronicles of Antonio Pigafetta as he wrote
his firsthand observation and general impression of the Far East, including
their experiences in Visayas.
In Pigafetta’s account, their fleet reached what he called the Ladrone
Island or the Island of the Thieves, He recounted:
“These people have no arms, but use sticks, which have a
fish bone at the end. They are poor, but ingenious, and great
thieves, and for the sake of that we called these three islands
the Ladrone Islands.”
The Ladrone Islands is presently known as the Marianas Islands. These
islands are located south-southeast of Japan, west-southwest of Hawaii,
north of New Guinea, and east of Philippines. Ten days after they reached
Ladrone Island, Pigafetta reported that they reached what Pigafetta called
the isle of Zamal, now Samar but Magellan decided to land in another
uninhabited island for greater security where they can rest for a few days.
Pigafetta recounted that after two days, March 18, nine men came to them
and showed joy and eagerness in seeing them. Magellan realized that the
men are reasonable and welcomed them with food, drinks, and gifts. In turn,
the natives gave them fish, palm wine (uraca), figs. and two cochos. The
natives also gave them rice (umai), cocos, and other food supplies. Pigafetta
detailed in amazement and fascination the palm tree which bore fruits
called cocho, and wine. He also described what seemed hke a coconut. His
description reads:
“This palm produces a fruit named cocho, which ts as large
as the head, or thereabouts: its first husk is green, and two
fingers in thickness, in it they find certain threads, with which
they make the cords for fastening their boats. Under this husk
there is another very hard, and thicker than that of a walnut.
They burn this second rind, and make with it a powder which
is useful to them. Under this rind there is a white marrow of a
Chapter 2 | Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary Sources in Philippine History Bfinger's thickness, which they eat fresh with meat and fish, as
we do bread, and it has the taste of an almond, and if anyone
dried it he might make bread of it (p. 72).”
Pigafetta characterized the people as “very familiar and friendly” a
willingly showed them different islands and the names of these island
The fleet went to Humunu island (Homonhon) and there they found wh
Pigafetta referred to as the Watering Place of good signs. It is in this place
where Pigafetta wrote that they found the first signs of gold in the isle
They named the island with the nearby islands as the archipelago of S
Lazarus. They left the island, then on March 25th Pigafetta recounted that
they saw two Ballanghai (balangay), a long boat full of people in Mazzava
Mazaua. The leader, who Pigafetta referred to as the king of the Ballanghe :
(balangay), sent his men to the ship of Magellan. The Europeans entertained
these men and gave them gifts. When the king of the balangay offered to giv
Magellan a bar of gold and a chest of ginger, Magellan declined. Magell
gent the interpreter to the king and asked for money for the needs of his,
ships and expressed that he came into tle islands as a friend and not as a
enemy. The king responded by giving Magellan the needed provisions of foot
in chinaware, Magellan exchanged gifts of robes in Turkish fashion, red cap
and gave the people knives and mirrors. The two then expressed their desix
to become brothers, Magellan also boasted of his men in armor who cannot
atruck with swords and daggers. The king was fascinated and remarked
men in such armor can be worth one hundred of his men. Magellan fi
showed the king his other weapons, helmets, and artilleries. Magellan al
shared with the king his charts and maps and shared how they found
islands.
After a few days, Magellan was introduced to the king’s brother w
was also a king of another island. They went to this island and Pigafe
reported that they saw mines of gold. The gold was abundant that parts ¢
the ship and of the house of the second king were made of gold. Pigafetts
described this king as the most handsome of all the men that he saw i
this place. He was also adorned with silk and gold accessories like a golde
dagger, which he carries with him in a wooden polished sheath. This kings
named Raia Calambu, king of Zuluan and Calagan (Butuan and Carag
and the first king was Raia Siagu. On March 31st, which happened to &
Easter Sunday, Magellan ordered the chaplain to say a mass by the shore,
The king heard of this plan and sent two dead pigs and attended the ma
with the other king. Pigafetta reported that both kings participated in th
mass. He wrote:
4 ¢ Readings in Philippine History“...when the offertory of the mass came, the two kings, went
to kiss the cross like us, but they offered nothing, and at the
elevation of the body of our Lord they were kneeling like us,
and adored our Lord with joined hands.”
After the mass, Magellan ordered that the cross be brought, with nails
and crown in place. Magellan explained that the cross, the nail, and the
crown were the signs of his emperor and that he was ordered to plant it in
the places that he will reach. Magellan further explained that the cross will
be beneficial for their people because once other Spaniards saw this cross,
then they would know that they have been in this land and would not cause
them troubles, and any person who might be held captives by them will be
released. The king concurred and allowed for the cross to be planted. This
mass will go down in history as the first mass in the Philippines, and the
cross will be the famed Magellan's cross still preserved at present day,
After seven days, Magellan and his men decided to move and look for
islands where they can acquire more supplies and provisions. They learned
of the islands of Ceylon (Leyte), Bohol, and Zzubu (Cebu) and intended to
go there. Raia Calambu offered to pilot them in going to Cebu, the largest
and the richest of the islands. By April 7th of the same year, Magellan and
his men reached the port of Cebu, The king of Cebu, through Magellan's
interpreter, demanded that they pay tribute as it was customary, but
Magellan refused. Magellan said that he was a captain of a king himself and
thus would not pay tribute to other kings. Magellan's interpreter explained
to the king of Cebu that Magellan's king was the emperor of a great empire
and that it would do them better to make friends with them than to forge
enmity. The king of Cebu consulted his council, By the next day, Magellan's
men and the king of Cebu, together with other principal men of Cebu, met in
an open space. There, the king offered a bit of his blood and demanded that
Magellan do the same. Pigafetta recounts:
“Then the king said that he was content, and as a greater sign
of affection he sent him a little of his blood from his right arm,
and wished he should do the like. Our people answered that
he would doit. Besides that, he said that all the captains who
came to his country had been accustomed to make a present
to him, and he to them, and therefore they should ask their
captain if he would observe the custom. Our people answered
that he would; but as the king wished to keep up the custom,
let him begin and make a present, and then the captain would
do his duty.”
Chapter 2 | Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary Souirées in Philippine History 15‘The following day, Magellan spoke before the people of Cebu about peace
and God. Pigafetta reported that the speople took pleasure in Magellan's
speech. Magellan then asked the people who would succeed the king after
his reign and the people responded that the eldest child of the king, who
happened to be a daughter, would be the next in line. Pigafetta also related
how the people talked about, how at old age, parents are no longer taken
into account and had to follow the orders of their children as the new leaders
of the land. Magellan responded to this by saying that his faith entails
children to render honor and obedience to their mother and father. Magellan
preached about their faith further and people were reportedly convinced.
Pigafetta wrote that their men were overjoyed seeing that the people wish
to become Christians through their free will and not because they were
forced or intimidated
On the 14th of April, the! people gathered with the king and oth
principal men of the islands, Magellan spoke to the king and encouraged
him to be a good Christian by burning all of the idols and worship the
instead. The king of Cebu was then baptized asa Christian. Pigafetta
“9 that the king and all his people answered that thy would
obey the commands of the captain and do all that he told them.
‘The captain took the king by the hand, and they walked about
on the scaffolding, and when he was baptized he said that
he would name him Don Charles (Carlos), as the emperor his
sovereign was named; and he named the prince Don Fernand
(Fernando), after the brother of the emperor, and the King of
Mazavva, Jehan: to the Moor he gave the name of Christopher,
and to the others each a name of his fancy.”
After eight days, Pigafetta counted that all of the island’s inhabit
were already baptized. He admitted that they burned a village down
obeying neither the king nor Magellan. The mass started to be condus
by the shore everyday- When the queen came to mass one day, Mage!
gave her an image of the Infant Jesus made by Pigafetta himself. The ki
of Cebuswore that he would always he faithful to Magellan. When Mage
reiterated that all of the newly baptized Christians need to burn their idol
but the natives gave excuses telling Magellan that they needed the idols
heal a sick man who was a relative to the king. Magellan insisted that tl
should instead put their faith in Jesus Christ. They went to the sick
and baptized him. After the baptismal, Pigafetta recorded that the man
able to speak again. He called this a miracle.
16 Readings in Philippine History‘On the 26th of April, Zula, a principal man from the island of Matan
(Mactan) went to see Magellan and asked him for a boat full of men so that
he would be able to fight the chief named Silapulapu (Lapulapu), Such chief,
according to Zula, refused to obey the king and was also preventing him from
doing so. Magellan offered three boats instead and expressed his desire to go
to Mactan himself to fight the said chief. Magellan's forces arrived in Mactan
in daylight. They numbered 49 in total and the islanders of Mactan were
estimated to number 1,500. The battle began. Pigafetta recounted:
“When we reached land we found the islanders fifteen hundred
in number, drawn up in three squadrons; they came down
upon us with terrible shouts, two squadrons attacking us on
the flanks, and the third in front, The captain then divided his
men in two bands. Our musketeers and crossbow-men fired
for half an hour from a distance, but did nothing, since the
bullets and arrows, though they passed through their shields
made of thin wood, and perhaps wounded their arms, yet did
not stop them. The captain shouted not to fire, but he was
not listened to. The islanders seeing that the shots of our
guns did them little or no harm would not retire, but shouted
more loudly, and springing from one side to the other to avoid
our shots, they at the same time drew nearer to us, throwing
arrows, javelins, spears hardened in fire, stones, and even
mad, so that we could hardly defend ourselves. Some of them
cast lances pointed with iron at the captain-general.”
Magellan died in that battle. The natives, perceiving that the bodies
of the enemies were protected with armors, aimed for their legs instead.
Magellan was pierced with a poisoned arrow in his right leg. A few of their
men charged at the natives and tried to intimidate them by burning an entire
village but this only enraged the natives further. Magellan was specifically
targeted because the natives knew that he was the captain general. Magellan
was hit with a lance in the face. Magellan retaliated and pierced the same
native with his lance in the breast and tried to draw his sword but could
not lift it because of his wounded arm. Seeing that the captain has already
deteriorated, more natives came to attack him. One native with a great
sword delivered a blow in Magellan's left leg, brought him face down and the
natives ceaselessly attacked Magellan with lances, swords, and even with
their bare hands. Pigafetta recounted the last moments of Magellan:
“Whilst the Indians were thus overpowering him, several
times he turned round towards us to see if we were all in
safety, as though his obstinate fight had no other object than
to give an opportunity for the retreat of his men.”
Chapter 2 | Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary Sources in Philippine History 17Pigafetta also said that the king of Cebu who was baptized could ha
sent help but Magellan instructed him not to join-the battle and stay in the
balangay so that he would see how they fight. The king offered the people
Mactan gifts of any value and amount in exchange of Magellan's body bi
the chief refused. They wanted to keep Magellan's body as a memento 6
their victory.
Magellan's men elected Duarte Barbosa as the new captain. Pigafett
also told how Magellan’s slave and interpreter named Henry betrayed ther
and told the king of Cebu that they intend to leave as quickly as possible:
Pigafetta alleged that the slave told the king that if he followed the slave
advice, then the king could acquire the ships and the goods of Magellan
fleet, The two conspired and betrayed what was left of Magellan's men. Th
king invited these men to a gathering where he said he would present th
jewels that he would send for the King of Spain. Pigafetta was not able
join the twenty-four men who attended because he was nursing his bat#l
wounds. It was only a short time when they heard cries and lamentation
The natives had slain all of the men except the interpreter and Juan Serran
who was already wounded. Serrano was presented and shouted at the me
in the ship asking them to pay ransom so he would be spared. However, thes
refused and would not allow anyone to go to the shore. The fleet departe
and abandoned Serrano. They left Cebu and continued their journey aroun d
the world.
Analysis of Pigafetta’s Chronicle
The chronicle of Pigafetta was one of the most cited documents
historians who wished to study the pre-colonial Philippines. As one of th
earliest written accounts, Pigafetta was seen as a credible source for
period, which was prior unchronicled and undocumented. Moreover, bein
the earliest detailed documentation, it was believed that Pigafetta’s writin
account for the “purest” pre-colonial society. Indeed, Pigafetta’s work is
great importance in the study and writing of Philippine history. Nevertheles
there needs to have a more nuanced reading of the source within a context
backdrop. A student of history should recognize certain biases accompanyin
the author and his identity, loyalties, and the circumstances that he was
and how it affected the text that he produced. In the ease of Pigafetta,
reader needs to understand that he was a chronicler commissioned by
King of Spain to accompany and document a voyage intended to expand th
Spanish empire. He was also of noble descent who came from a rich family #
Italy. These attributes influenced his narrative, his selection of details to b
18 Readings in Philippine Historyincluded in the text, his characterization of the people and of the species that
he encountered, and his interpretation and retelling of the events. Being a
scholar of cartography and geography, Pigafetta was able to give details on
geography and climate of the places that their voyage has reached.
In reading Pigafetta's description of the people, one has to keep in
mind that he was coming from a 16th century European perspective. Hence,
the reader might notice how Pigafetta, whether implicitly or explicitly,
regarded the indigenous belief systems and way of life as inferior to that
of Christianity and of the Europeans. He would always remark on the
nakedness of the natives or how he was fascinated by their exotic culture,
Pigafetta also noticeably emphasized the natives’ amazement and illiteracy
to the European artillery, merchandise, and other goods, in the same way
that Pigafetta repeatedly mention the abundance of spices like ginger,
and of precious metals like gold. His observations and assessments of the
indigenous cultures employed the European standards. Hence, when they
saw the indigenous attires of the natives, Pigafetta saw them as being naked
because from the European standpoint, they were wearing fewer clothes
indeed. Pigafetta's perspective was too narrow to realize that such attire was
only appropriate to the tropical climate of the islands. The same was true
for materials that the natives used for their houses like palm and bamboo,
These materials would let more air come through the house and compensate
for the hot climate in the islands.
It should be understood that such observations rooted from the context
of Pigafetta and of his era. Europe, for example, was dominated by the
Holy Roman Empire, whose loyalty and purpose was the domination of the
Catholic Church all over the world. Hence, other belief systems different
from that of Christianity were perceived to be blasphemous and barbaric,
even demonic. Aside from this, the 16th century European economy was
mercantilist. Such system measures the wealth of kingdoms based on their
accumulation of bullions or precious metals like gold and silver. It was not
surprising therefore that Pigafetta would always mention the abundance
of gold in the islands as shown in his description of leaders wearing gold
rings and golden daggers, and of the rich gold mines. An empire like that of
the Spain would indeed search for new lands where they can acquire more
gold and wealth to be on top of all the European nations. The obsession
with spices might be odd for Filipinos because of its ordinariness in the
Philippines, but understanding the context would reveal that spices were
scarce in Europe and hence were seen as prestige goods. In that era, Spain
and Portugal covet the control of spice islands because it would have lead to
‘Chapter 2 | Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary Sources in Philippine History 19a certain increase in wealth, influence, and power. These contexts should be
used and understood in erder to have a more qualified reading of Pigafetta’s
account.
The KKK and the “Kartilya ng Katipunan”
The Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng
Bayan (KKK) or Katipunan is arguably the most important organization:
formed in Philippine history. While anti-colonial movements, efforts, a
organizations have already been done centuries prior to the foundation of the
Katipunan, it was only this organization that envisioned (1) a united Filipin
nation that will revolt against the Spaniards for (2) the total independence a
the country from Spain. Previous armed revolts had already occurred befor
the foundation of the Katipunan, but none of them envisioned a unifie
Filipino nation revolting against the colonizers. For example, Diego Sila
was known as an Ilocano who took up his arms and led one of the longe:
running revolts in the country. Silang, however, was mainly concerne
about his locality and referred to himself as Zl Rey de Ilocos (The King
Ilocos). The imagination of the nation was largely absent in the aspiratia
of the local revolts before Katipunan. On the other hand, the propagands
movements led by the ilustrados like Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lope
Jaena, and Jose Rizal did not envision a total separation of the Philippir ne
from Spain, but only demanded equal rights, representation, and prote
from the abuses of the friars.
In the conduct of their struggle, Katipunan created a complex structu:
and a defined value system that will guide the organization as a collecti
aspiring for a single goal. One of the most important Katipunan docume
was the Kartilya ng Katipunan. The original title of the document
Manga fsic] Aral Nang [sic] Katipunan ng mga A.N.B. or “Lessons of th
Organization of the Sons of Country.” The document was written by Emil
Jacinto in the year 1896, Jacinto was only 18 years old when he joined
movement. He was a law student in the University of Santo Tomas, Despa
his youth, Bonifacio recognized the value and intellect of Jacinto that up
seeing Jacinto's Kartilya was much better than the Decalogue he wrote,
willingly favored that the Kartilya be distributed to their fellow Katipune
Jacinto became the secretary of the organization and took charge of
short-lived printing press of the Katipunan. On 15 April 1897, Bonifa
appointed Jacinto as a commander of the Katipunan in Northern Luzes
Jacinto was 22 years old, Jacinto died of Malaria at young age of 24 in
town of Magdalena, Laguna.
20 Readings in Philippine History