Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary Sources in the Philippine History

Learning Objectives:

● To familiarize oneself with the primary documents in different historical period of the
Philippines
● To learn history through primary sources
● To properly interpret primary sources
● To understand the context behind each selected documents

Historical Sources ascertain historical facts

Historical Sources was used by historians as a primary tool to understand and interpret the past

Historical Research entails 2 kinds of criticism

1. External Criticism - examines the authenticity of the documents or the evidence being used.
2. Internal Criticism - examines the truthfulness of the content of the evidence

A Brief Summary of the First Voyage Around the World

The book was taken from the chronicles of the contemporary voyagers and navigators of the 16th
century. One of them Antonio Pigafetta, who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan in his faithful
circumnavigation of the world. Pigafetta’s travelogue is one of the most important primary sources
in the study of the precolonial Philippines. His account has events leading to Magellan’s arrival in
the Philippines, his encounter with local leaders, his death in the hands of Lapulapu’s forces in the
Battle of Mactan, and the departure of what was left of Magellan’s fleet from the island.

In Pigafetta’s account they reached what he called Landrones Island or the “Islands of the
Thieves”. Landrones Island presently known as the Marianas Island. Ten days after they reach
Landrones Island, Pigafetta reached what he called the isle of Zamal, now Samar but Magellan
decided to go to another uninhabited island for security. March 18, 9 men came to them and
showed joy and eagerness in seeing them. Magellan gave the food, drinks and gift while in return
they gave fish, palm wine (uraca), figs and two cochos.
THE FIRST VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD (PART2)

KEY POINTS:

1. Pigafettas’s first Impression to the Filipino people

2. Discovery and Naming of the Archipelago of St. Lazarus
3. Ballanghai’s king and Magellan’s first meeting
4. The kings’ appearance in the mass
5. Philippines’ first mass
6. Magellan makes friend with the king of Cebu
7. Magellan’s acts of spreading Christianity in Cebu
8. Magellan wants to battle Lapu Lapu

[1] Pigafetta characterized the people as "very familiar and friendly" and willingly showed
them different islands and the names of these islands. [2] The fleet went to Humunu island
(Homonhon) and there they found what 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 island. They
named the island with the nearby islands as the archipelago of St. 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
king of the Ballanghai (balangay), sent his men to the ship of Magellan.

[3] Magellan sent the interpreter to the king and asked for money for the needs of his ships
and expressed that he came into the islands as a friend and not as an enemy. After a few days,
Magellan was introduced to the king's brother who was also a king of another island. They went to
this island and Pigafetta reported that they saw mines of gold.

[4] Pigafetta reported that both kings attended the mass. He wrote “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.

[5] 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. The cross will be beneficial for
their people because once the Spaniards saw the 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 captive
by them will be released. The king concurred and allowed for the planting of the cross to be
planted. The mass will go down in history as the first mass in the Philippines.

After seven days, Magellan and his men decided to move and look for islands where they
could acquire more supplies and provisions. Raia Calambu offered to pilot them in going to Cebu,
the largest and the richest of the islands. The king of Cebu, through Magellan's interpreter,
demanded that they pay tribute as it was customary, but Magellan refused.

[6] 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. There, the king offered a bit of his blood and demanded that Magellan do the same.
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.

[7] The following day, Magellan spoke before the people of Cebu about peace and God.
Pigafetta reported that the people took pleasure in Magellan's speech.

Pigafetta wrote that their men were overjoyed seeing that the people wished 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 other principal men of the
islands, Magellan spoke to the king and encouraged him to be a good Christian by burning all the
idols and worshiping the cross instead.

The king of Cebu was then baptized as a Christian. After eight days, Pigafetta counted that
all the island's inhabitants were already baptized. When the queen came to mass one day,
Magellan gave her an image of the Infant Jesus made by Pigafetta himself.

[8] 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).

Magellan offered three boats instead and expressed his desire to go to Mactan himself to
fight the said chief.
THE FIRST VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD (PART 3)
KEY POINTS:
1. Magellan's death in battle: Magellan was killed in a battle with native inhabitants. The
natives, recognizing the armor protection of the enemy, aimed for their legs.
● Magellan's injuries: Magellan was struck by a poisoned arrow in his right leg and a lance
in the face. He retaliated but was severely wounded, unable to lift his sword.
● Targeting Magellan: The natives specifically targeted Magellan because they knew he was
the captain general.
● Magellan's last moments: As Magellan was overwhelmed by the natives, he repeatedly
looked back to ensure the safety of his men.
2. The king of Cebu's inaction: Despite being baptized, the king of Cebu did not send help
as Magellan had instructed him to stay out of the battle.
3. The offer for Magellan's body: The king of Cebu offered gifts for Magellan's body, but the
chief of the natives refused, wanting to keep it as a symbol of victory.
4. New captain elected: Magellan's men elected Duarte Barbosa as the new captain after his
death.
● DUARTE BARBOSA (1480 -1521) - a Portuguese explorer and writer, "The Book of Duarte
Barbosa: An Account of the Countries Bordering on the Indian Ocean and Their
Inhabitants."
5. Betrayal by Henry: Magellan's slave and interpreter named Henry betrayed them by
revealing their plans to the king of Cebu.
ENRIQUE de MACALLA
● a Malay slave who was captured by Magellan in Malacca and served as his interpreter
during his voyage around the world
● was supposed to be freed after Magellan death
● was the (believed to be) the first person to circumnavigate the world
6. Betrayal of Magellan's men: The king and Henry conspired to betray the remaining men
from Magellan's fleet.
● Slaughter of Magellan's men: The natives killed all the men except the interpreter and
Juan Serrano, who was wounded.
● Abandonment of Serrano: The fleet left without rescuing Serrano, who was abandoned on
the shore.
JUAN SERRANO (João Rodrigues Serrão)
● Portuguese explorer
● captain and the pilot of Santiago (small ship)
 7. Continuation of the journey: After these events, the fleet left Cebu and continued its
journey around the world.

ANALYSIS OF PIGAFETTA’S CHRONICLE

The chronicle of Pigafetta, an early written account of the precolonial Philippines, has been a
valuable source for historians. It was considered credible and provided insights into a previously
undocumented period. However, readers should approach Pigafetta's account with a nuanced
perspective. He was commissioned by the King of Spain to document a voyage aimed at
expanding the Spanish empire. Pigafetta's noble background and European perspective
influenced his narrative, selection of details, and characterization of the people and events.

Pigafetta's account emphasized European standards, viewing indigenous beliefs and practices as
inferior to Christianity and European culture. He often noted the natives' "nakedness" and their
amazement at European goods. His observations failed to consider the practicality of native attire
and construction materials in the tropical climate.

Pigafetta's perspective was shaped by the dominance of the Holy Roman Empire and the
mercantilist European economy. European powers sought precious metals like gold and spices,
making these features of the Philippines attractive to them.

To understand Pigafetta's account fully, it's important to consider the historical context, including
the European worldview and economic priorities of his era.