University of Southeastern of the Philippines

Iñigo St, Obrero, Davao City, Davao del Sur

The First Voyage of Magellan: Pigafettas Account

GE 216 Philippine History Readings

Submitted by: Argie B. Lico

Submitted to: Francis Andrian S. Sanico

September 25, 2019

BODY:

Spices have been the center of attraction of the world’s economy in the late 15
century. It brings a strong charisma to the people who value food especially its flavor.
Highly valued for flavoring and preserving cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and especially
black pepper, were extremely valuable (History.com, 2009). All eyes of every country
who give importance to the taste and scent of the food are greatly looking for it. As its
property to be easily used in daily consumption, have a short time to preserve and
cannot be easily to be cultivated, its number is gradually decreasing. The top
commodity which is the spices might come to an end. This is the reason why
explorations began. Most of it is in the east but as realizations and assumptions growing,
a man gets determined to reach and go through it and his name is Magellan.

The first voyage around the world of Ferdinand Magellan has been a remarkable
part of the history that lead to great discoveries of islands and now countries. The
account of Antonio Pigafetta about Magellan’s voyage revealed some of the
interesting points to discover. Here are some of the fascinating parts of the account:

The start: Due to the need of feeding the curiosity of Magellan and his men of what
does the western sea route has, the voyage started to sail on Tuesday, September 20,
1519 (Paragraph 4, 1st sentence). The voyage is composed of five ships and 270 men
(History.com, 2009) to go to the islands they called “Maluco” and now named as
Moluccas.

But, why does Magellan go to west? What is he looking for?

The voyage sails to west because the Moluccas Islands are part of the
archipelago of Indonesia. It lies on the equator north of Australia and west of New
Guinea which composed of hundreds of islands (lib-dbserver.princeton.edu). While,
according to other translation of the account of Pigafetta, Magellan is looking for the
rich Spice Islands of Indonesia (which is located in west). In that time spices has been
the heart of the economy that time and it fuels the daily commodity of the people, the
food. The value they give to it is high because it is sold expensively and brings
extraordinary tastes to food. Also, the demand of it is high and increasing.
Meeting the captain:

The wanderers are stirred when nine men in a boat come towards them
(Paragraph 6, 1st sentence) thinking that they might get into trouble. Luckily, the
captain-general felt happy about their arrival without knowing that the captain might
help them. Also, to think about it the captain is really good to them which mostly weird
at first where he gave them goods (Paragraph 6, 3rd sentence). This set-up is usual to
people when meeting each other. They are just accommodating each other and
establishing first impressions even if the captain-general at first became authoritative
being self-assured. Also, the offerings show an invitation to them.

Joining the expedition:

The captain has realized to be part of the king’s journey. It was Good Friday that
time when the captain begs to the king through the mouth of the slave which was their
interpreter for money for the provisions of his ships (Paragraph 12, 1st sentence). The
kings words is overwhelming when he said “I did not come to your country as an enemy
but as a friend.” Making the captain go out of the boat and embraced the king which
also results to exchanging of offerings. The captain had offered a lot for the king that
makes some sense later on.

1. Why does the captain offered a lot to the king?

2. Does that for friendship or for some kind of request?

It is for both but much heavier to have the request. This is because the captain
wants to be part of the king’s expedition. He described it as “cassi cassi” or brothers. It is
an offering for granted which somehow making the king feel good to have the answer
he wants or deserved. Fortunately, the king replied that he wanted also the same
towards him. The king agreed and invited the captain for the expedition and this is a
success for the captain.
The last days and the Philippines:

It was March 6 1521 when the expedition landed on Guam (History.com).

According to distancefromto.net, the distance of Guam to Philippines is 2,496
kilometers, far away to reach Philippines immediately. So, 10 days later, the reached
the islands of Philippines by dropping to Cebu which is now 400 miles to Spice Islands.
Magellan later meet the Chief of Cebu, who after converting to Christianity persuaded
the Europeans to assist him in conquering a rival tribe on the neighboring island of
Mactan (History.com).

Magellan’s last days end on April 27 the same year when he was hit by a
poisoned arrow and left to die by his retreating comrades (History.com) by the
subsequent fighting against Lapu-Lapu and his men.

The death of Magellan does not end the expedition because the survivors from
the fight sailed to the islands of Moluccas in two ships. Unfortunately, one ship has an
unsuccessful attempt to return across the Pacific. The other ship, the Victoria, continued
west under the command of Juan Sebastian de Elcano. The vessel sailed across the
Indian Ocean, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and arrived at the Spanish port
of Sanlúcar de Barrameda on September 6, 1522, becoming the first ship to
circumnavigate the globe. The Victoria then sailed up the Guadalquivir River, reaching
Seville a few days later (History.com).

The voyage of Magellan become the center of other expeditions after his. The
first ever circumnavigation around the globe., arise opportunities is a short and less time
distance. The scene also dictates that the world is round and connected making it
revealed to others.

The whole excerpt is properly shorten, that maintain the idea and thought, main
thought of the expedition. From the Spices to Islands to new discoveries and sailing
around the world. Magellan has done his life continuing the expedition making the
journey fulfilled by meeting this islands.
Bibliography

The First Voyage Round the World/Pigafetta's Account of Magellan's Voyage. (n.d.).
Retrieved from
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_First_Voyage_Round_the_World/Pigafetta's_A
ccount_of_Magellan's_Voyage

Magellan's expedition circumnavigates globe. (2010, July 21). Retrieved from

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/magellans-expedition-
circumnavigates-globe

Ferdinand Magellan (2009, October 29). Retrieved from

https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/ferdinand-magellan

Distance from Guam to Philippines. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.distancefromto.net/distance-from-guam-to-philippines
University of Southeastern of the Philippines

Iñigo St, Obrero, Davao City, Davao del Sur

Customs of The Tagalogs

GE 216 Philippine History Readings

Submitted by: Argie B. Lico

Submitted to: Francis Andrian S. Sanico

September 25, 2019

 Tagalogs is very diverse when we are talking about beliefs, religion, traditions and
a lot more. Of how different we are from each other it is how we are rich in culture.
These traits and characteristics establish a profound foundation of our history. From
different areas we discuss and discover, we will never get run out of things to learn from
each other’s origin and environment we grew up. Below are some major parts of our
life’s foundation as a Tagalog.

A. Political organization

The political aspect of our identity as a Tagalog exists even in the oldest times of
the Philippine history. The history of Philippine politics begins 50 years after Magellan
came and acclaimed the country for the Spanish Crown. A colonial government was
established in Manila in 1571. The Spain introduced changes in the political, social, and
cultural life of the people (chicagopcg.dfa.gov.ph, 2014). Below are some compelling
areas of Politics under the customs of the Tagalogs.

“Tagalogs always had chiefs, called by them datos, who governed them and were
captains in their wars, and whom they obeyed and reverenced. (Paragraph 1)”

Datos or Datus have been the highest authority which denotes the great ruler
of numerous indigenous peoples throughout the Philippine archipelago (Enciclopedia
Universal Ilustrada Europea-Americana, 1991). In fact it is still used today especially in
the rural areas of Central and Southern Luzon, Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan. The
respect given to them is as high as their title where all commands are fulfilled and
implemented.

“Tribal gatherings are called in Tagalog a barangay. (Paragraph 2)”

As per purpose and authority like being the war leaders and primary political
authorities, the Datu ruled people through barangay which come from the term
balangay, a boat. Barangay is mainly composed family of parents which is said to be
the basic unit and children, relations and slaves. As history remains, the term is still
used today and headed by Barangay Captain.
 B. Economic organization

The economy that time is favored and specific and people are categorized and
divided into different groups that are placed in different levels of capabilities and
properties. People who are at the top are mostly given the most favored decisions and
given the freedom they want and the people at lowest level of the hierarchy are given
less freedom and attention and most of the time punished and inflicted. Below are
some indisputable parts of the economic aspect of the early times.

“There were three castes: nobles, commoners, and slaves. The nobles were the free-
born whom they call maharlica… The commoners are called aliping namamahay…
The slaves are called aliping sa guiguilir. (Paragraph 3)”

Maharlica stays to the top for the reason of having the free-born and rich
capabilities beyond the aspect of properties they have. For being at the top, they did
not pay tax or tribute to the dato, but must accompany him in war, at their own
expense (Paragraph 3, 3rd sentences). Being at the top is such an ease for the chief is
offered them beforehand a feast and treated with authority for they are valuable for
the economy.

Aliping namamahay has the next place after Datu for they serve their master
regardless if he is a Datu or not. Their loyalty and integrity are well served for their
master for where he is they should also be for they accompany him. They have their
own house and live with it (Paragraph 5). They are far beyond the slaves for they
have their own property and their sons and daughters can inherit it.

Aliping sa guiguilir is the poorest of the poor for they are like the maids and the
footman of their masters. Sad to realize that they are also sold to other masters. They
are the one who work inside and out fulfilling the masters want. Their state does not
improve for they lived with it forever unless they paid debts.

“Debt was owed transferred the debt to another.”

Tax per tax and debt per debts. If you have debts unpaid well it can be paid
by another. With this principle slaves can be an Aliping namamahay in exchange of
goldsmith. The condition is if you can give more taels (goldsmith) the more chances of
getting freedom and possibly have a property and house to live.
 C. Cultural practices and tradition

Practices and tradition are mainly inspired by the habit of the early people
resulting to certain actions developed and become the foundation of great traditions
today. Diverse traditions are result of different beliefs and views of people but in some
ways meet at the focus point of the Philippine History. Below are some of the amazing
cultural practices and tradition of the Tagalogs.

“Division of children when a maharlica and slave or namamahay are married

(Paragraph 10)”

This is mainly emphasized back then where divisions happened in an odd and
even count of numbers like the first, third and fifth are to the father regardless of
gender while the second, fourth and sixth will be to the mother. This is because to
balance the division especially in a marriage of maharlica and slave, if one of the
parents are free the siblings they have will also be and if a slave they will also be.
“They had laws by which they condemned to death a man of low birth who
insulted the daughter or wife of a chief; likewise witches, and others of the same class
(Paragraph 13)”

Like the life of the chief itself, his wife and daughter are in top position too that
must be treated with respect and authority so whoever insulted or harm them and
they are lower level from them then they will face the consequences, death.

“Dowries are given by men to the women’s parents before marriage. If the parents
are both alive, they both enjoy the use of it. (Paragraph 21)”

Giving dowries has been a habit when two people are getting married that it is
given to the family of the groom in exchange of the bride as a way of ensuring that
she is property taken care of and comfortable (thespruce.com).

“Offering of sacrifice or adoration (Paragraph 34)”

Offering has been part of the life of the Tagalog, for it is their way to show their
thanksgiving, ask for something etc. This has been the foundation of the existence of
the festivals and even for prayers and petitions for someone in seek.
Bibliography

Enciclopedia universal ilustrada europeo-americana : etimologías sánscrito, hebreo,

griego, latín, árabe, lenguas indígenas americanas, etc.; versiones de la mayoría
de las voces en francés, italiano, inglés, alemán, portugués, catalán, esperanto :
Espasa-Calpe : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming. (1970, January 1).
Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/enciclopediauniv60espa/page/120

Callaway, N. (2019, September 23). Is a Dowry Still Given for a Marriage? Retrieved from
https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-a-dowry-3489481

Sagadraca, T.(2015, August 1). Customs of the Tagalog. Retrieved from

https://www.slideshare.net/babaylan1111/customs-of-the-tagalog