Magellan's Journey in the 15th and 16th
centuries was a transformative period
following the Renaissance and Reformation,
shaping European society and culture while
opening up new frontiers for exploration.
Treaty of Tordesillas (1494):
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Background:
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15th and 16th centuries witnessed
significant changes post-Renaissance
and Reformation, fueling European
exploration due to the demand for
Oriental products.
Magellan's Contribution:
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Competition Between Spain and
Portugal:
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Portugal's Prince Henry the
Navigator established a navigational
school to find a sea route to India
around Africa.
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Bartholomew Diaz rounded the Cape
of Storm (Cape of Good Hope).
Vasco Da Gama found the riches of
the East.
Magellan studied the Spice Islands
(Moluccas) and offered his services
to King Charles I of Spain,
partnering with cosmographer Rui de
Faleiro.
The Fleet of Magellan:
Portuguese Exploration:
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Settled the conflict, drawing an
imaginary line 370 leagues west of
the Cape Verde Islands.
Lands east of the line belonged to
Portugal (Africa, Asia, South
America), while lands west belonged
to Spain (Western part of the
American continent).
Consisted of 5 ships: Trinidad
(flagship), Victoria (first to
circumnavigate, under Juan
Sebastian Elcano), Concepcion, San
Antonio, and Santiago.
Beginning of the Journey (September 20,
1519):
Spanish Exploration:
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Christopher Columbus discovered
the New World.
Juan Ponce De Leon explored
Florida.
Vasco Nunez de Balboa was the first
to see the Pacific Ocean.
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Antonio Pigafetta, a Venetian
scholar and chronicler, recorded the
world's first circumnavigation in his
journal.
Facing difficulties including a
mutiny in Port San Julian, desertion
of the ship San Antonio, and scarcity
of supplies in the vast Pacific Ocean.
Conflict Between Spain and Portugal:
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Columbus's expeditions caused a
conflict between Spain and Portugal.
Pope Alexander VI issued a Papal
Bull, establishing an imaginary
demarcation line in the Atlantic.
Arrival in the Philippines (March 16,
1521):
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Reached the Island of Sails (due to
beautiful sails).
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Encountered the Island of Thieves
(Islas de Landrones) after small
boats were stolen.
Spotted the silhouette of Samar on
March 17 and reached Homonhon on
March 18.
Account of Father Francisco Collins and
Father Francisco Combes
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Easter Sunday Mass (March 31, 1521):
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Fr. Pedro de Valderama officiated
the first mass on the shore of
Limasawa, where they planted a
cross and named the islands the
Archipelago of Saint Lazarus.
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Baptism and Battle of Mactan (April 7,
1521):
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Magellan and Rajah Kolambu
baptized Rajah Humabon, the King
of Cebu, and his wife, who were
given the names Carlos and Juana.
A conflict between Lapu-Lapu and
Magellan occurred on April 27,
1521. Magellan was killed, marking
the first successful resistance against
colonizers.
Spanish Viewpoint of the Mutiny
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Return to Spain (1522):
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After three years, only the ship
Victoria, with 18 survivors,
including Juan Sebastian Elcano and
Albo, returned to Spain.
The other four ships met various
fates: San Antonio fled back to
Spain, Trinidad was captured by the
Portuguese and wrecked in a storm,
Santiago was lost at sea, and
Concepcion was damaged and
burned by the crew.
Magellan's journey was a crucial chapter in
global exploration, connecting continents,
and contributing to European dominance in
the Age of Exploration.
Father Francisco Collins was
familiar and precise with the
accounts of Magellan's voyage and
narrated Magellan's landing in
Homonhon Island (Humunu as
written in Pigafetta's Chronicle).
Magellan's route: Collins mentioned
Magellan first went to Limasaua,
then to Butuan, and returned to
Limasaua before sailing to Cebu.
Father Francisco Combes supported
Pigafetta's record and was one of the
primary sources for Magellan's
voyage.
There was a law passed in Congress
under Republic Act 2733 declaring
Limasawa Island in the Province of
Leyte as the place where the first
mass in the Philippines was held.
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The event of 1872 was seen as a big
conspiracy among educated leaders,
mestizos, abogadillos (native
lawyers), residents of Manila and
Cavite, and the native clergy.
It was believed that conspirators
planned to liquidate high-ranking
Spanish officers followed by the
massacre of the friars.
On January 20, 1872, a contingent
attacked Spanish officers in Cavite,
mistaking fireworks as a signal for
the attack.
Governor General Rafael Izquierdo
ordered the reinforcement of Spanish
forces in Cavite to suppress the
revolt.
Leaders were killed, and
GOMBURZA (priests) were tried
and condemned to die by strangling
(Garote).
Filipino Viewpoint of the Mutiny
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Dr. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera viewed
the event as an ordinary mutiny by
native Filipino soldiers and laborers
in Cavite who were frustrated with
the end of their privileges.
Tavera believed that Governor
Izquierdo was responsible for
policies that contributed to
discontent.
The mutiny in Cavite involved
dissatisfaction among workers
affected by the abolition of
privileges.
The rebellion was suppressed when
expected support from Manila did
not arrive.
Tavera argued that the Spanish friars
and Gov. Izquierdo used the mutiny
to maintain power in the Philippines.
Accounts of the Cavite Mutiny
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The event was characterized by the
Spanish as a conspiracy among
educated leaders, mestizos, lawyers,
and residents of Manila and Cavite,
aiming to overthrow Spanish rule.
The mutiny began with the mistaken
belief that fireworks during a
celebration in Sampaloc, Manila,
were a signal for the attack.
Governor General Izquierdo ordered
the reinforcement of Spanish forces
in Cavite to quell the revolt.
Leaders of the plot were killed, and
GOMBURZA (priests) were
executed.
The event ignited a sense of
nationhood among Filipinos and
contributed to the Philippine
Revolution.
Changes During Gov. Gen. Izquierdo's
Rule
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Governor General Izquierdo
prohibited the founding of a school
of arts and trades, believing it was a
cover for a political club.
Privileges of workers in the Cavite
arsenal were abolished, leading to
dissatisfaction.
The mutiny in Cavite erupted on
January 20, 1872, led by Sergeant La
Madrid.
The event was used by the Spanish
government and friars to maintain
control.
It ultimately led to the martyrdom of
the three priests, GOMBURZA.
Retraction of Jose Rizal
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Dr. Ricardo Pascual questioned the
authenticity of Jose Rizal's retraction
document, citing handwriting
differences and punctuation.
Fr. Vicente Balaguer was the only
eyewitness to Rizal's confession,
Mass, Communion, and prayers.
The retraction document was a
subject of controversy and debate.
Taxation During the Spanish Period
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Tribute collection began
immediately after the conquest of
Legazpi and continued for over three
centuries.
Collectors of tribute included Cabeza
de Barangay, Alcalde Mayor for the
province, Mayor or Carreaidores
(petty governors), and Alcalde or
Gobernadorcillos (captains) for
municipalities.
These officials were responsible for
collecting and remitting tribute to the
treasury in Manila.
Different Kinds of Taxes (During Spanish
Colonial Period):
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Tributo (General Tax): Paid by
Filipinos to Spain, amounted to 8
Reales. Required from males aged 18
to 50, as well as specific professions
and town workers.
Sanctorum Tax: Amounted to 3
Reales and was used for
Christianization costs, church
construction, and religious
celebrations.
Donativo Tax: Half Reales, required
for the government's military
campaigns.
Caja de Comunidad Tax: 1 Real,
collected for town expenses like road
construction, bridge repair, and
public building improvements.
Servicio Personal (Polo y Servicios):
Forced labor for able-bodied males
aged 16-60 in construction work,
including bridges, churches, and
galleon ships. Lasted for 40 days.
Gobernadorcillo, Cabeza de
Barangay, and Principalia: Certain
individuals were exempted from
forced labor and fines.
Taxes Imposed by the Spanish
Government in the Philippines (1884):
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Royal Decree of March 6, 1884:
Abolished the tribute and replaced it
with the cedula tax. Also reduced the
annual forced labor (polo) from 40 to
15 days.
Different Versions of the Revolution:
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Pio Valenzuela's "Cry of Pugad
Lawin": Claimed to have witnessed
the event on August 26, 1896,
although later accounts mentioned
August 23, 1896.
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Santiago Alvarez's "Cry of Bahay
Toro": Not an eyewitness, but
associated with a different version.
Gregoria de Jesus's First "Cry":
She participated in the event near
Caloocan on August 25, 1896.
Katipunan General Guillermo
Masangkay's "Cry of
Balintawak": Witnessed the event
on August 26, 1896, and was
stationed on the path where the
Spaniards were to pass.
Soledad Borromeo Buehler:
Associated with the Cry of
Balintawak, based on Masangkay's
account.
First President of the Philippines:
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Emilio Aguinaldo: Recognized as
the first Philippine president due to
his election during the Tejeros
Convention on March 22, 1897.
Andres Bonifacio: Some argue that
Bonifacio should be considered the
first president because he served as
the Supremo of the Katipunan
revolutionary government from 1896
to 1897 and declared an armed
revolution against Spain on August
24, 1896. This view suggests that the
Katipunan government predated the
Tejeros Convention