Magellan's Voyage: Ships and Explorers

• This voyage proved the Earth was round and discovered vast size of the Pacific Ocean proving a westward route to Asia.
• This led to Spain and Portugal renegotiating boundaries that led to Spanish colonization in the Philippines.

Trinidad Ship

• Ferdinand Magellan and Gonzalo Gomez were on this ship.

• Ferdinand died in Cebu, Philippines, and was killed by Lapu-Lapu's army.

• Gonzalo Gomez was caught in storms and intercepted by the Portuguese in April 1522.

San Antonio Ship

• Juan Cartagena, Alvaro De Mezquita, and Esteban Gomez were on this ship.
• Juan Cartagena was arrested for mutiny and then left to die on ST. Julian.
• Alvaro De Mezquita was chained by the traitor Esteban, who went back to Spain and imprisoned him.

Santiago Ship

• Juan Serrano was on this ship.
• The ship was shipwrecked, but the crew survived.
• Juan Serrano was later assigned to Victoria.

Victoria Ship

• Luiz Mendoza, Juan Serrano, and Juan Sebastian Elcano were on this ship.
• Espinosa stabbed Luiz De Mendoza to death.
• Juan Serrano was part of the crew ambushed by Humabon.
• He was captured and held for ransom, but the fleet refused to pay.
• He was likely executed.
• The remaining fleet fled Cebu, abandoning Barbosa and Serrano.
• Victoria was the only ship that returned to Spain.

Preparation for the Expedition

• In March 1518, Charles V signed a contract (Capitulations of Valladolid).
• Magellan was granted the title of Captain-General of the Fleet.
• He was granted governorship over new lands discovered for Spain.
• He was granted 20% of the profits from trade in the Spice Islands.
• A five-ship fleet was created for the expedition.
• Magellan and his men faced sabotage attempts by the Portuguese.
• Portugal feared that Spain would challenge their monopoly over the spice trade.
• Final orders for departure were issued in Barcelona on April 19, 1519.

Other Important Characters

• Duarte Barbosa had a major role.
• Magellan's brother Francisco Albo was the pilot and log-keeper who documented the journey.
• Maximilian Transylvanus was a secretary of Emperor Charles V who later wrote about the expedition.

Important Dates and Locations

• The fleet departed from Spain on September 20, 1519.
• The fleet reached the coast of South America and spent the winter in Port St. Julian.
• The fleet discovered the Strait of Magellan in October 1520 and crossed into the Pacific.
• Seville, Spain (August 10, 1519): Magellan's fleet, the Armada de Molucca, was prepared for departure consisting of five ships: Trinidad, San Antonio, Concepción, Victoria, and Santiago.
• Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain (September 20, 1519) `MAJOR EVENT: Official departure of the expedition to find a westward route to the Spice Islands.
• Tenerife, Canary Islands (September 26, 1519) `MAJOR EVENT: Restocked supplies and repaired ships, and Magellan received a warning that Spanish officials were plotting against him.
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (December 13, 1519): They had friendly contact with native Tupí people, and the crew restocked fresh food and water.
• Rio de la Plata, Argentina (February 2, 1520): Magellan searched for a passage through South America but found none.
• Port St. Julian, Argentina (March 31, 1520) `MAJOR EVENT: The fleet spent the winter, mutiny occurred.
• Three captains revolted, but Magellan suppressed it, executing one captain and marooning another.
• The Santiago was shipwrecked during an exploration mission.
• River of Santa Cruz, Argentina (October 18, 1520): They resupplied food, mainly seals and penguins, as they prepared to continue searching for the passage.
• Cape of the Virgins, Argentina (October 21, 1520) `MAJOR EVENT: They discovered the entrance to what is now the Strait of Magellan.
• Strait of Magellan (October 21, 1520) `MAJOR EVENT: This was a long and difficult passage through narrow waters with strong currents.
• The San Antonio ship deserted and returned to Spain.
• The remaining ships entered the Pacific Ocean.
• Pacific Ocean Exit (November 28, 1520) `MAJOR EVENT: The first European fleet reached the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic.
• Magellan named it “Mar Pacífico” (Peaceful Sea) due to calm waters.
• The fleet suffered extreme starvation and disease, mainly scurvy.
• San Pablo Island (January 24, 1521): They discovered an uninhabited island but found no resources.
• Tiburones Island (February 4, 1521): Another uninhabited island where the starving crew tried to find food.
• Ladrones Islands / Guam (March 6, 1521) `MAJOR EVENT: The first contact with Pacific islanders occurred.
• Locals stole supplies from the ships, leading Magellan to burn their houses in retaliation and named the islands Islas de los Ladrones (Islands of Thieves).
• Samar, Philippines (March 16, 1521) `MAJOR EVENT: The first Europeans reached the Philippines, and the crew recovered from starvation after a long Pacific crossing.
• Mazaua (Limasawa), Philippines (March 28, 1521) `MAJOR EVENT: The First Catholic Mass in the Philippines occurred.
• They met Rajah Kolambu, who guided them to Cebu.
• Cebu, Philippines (April 7, 1521) `MAJOR EVENT: Magellan allied with Rajah Humabon and converted the locals to Christianity, and Humabon swore allegiance to Spain.
• Mactan, Philippines (April 27, 1521) `MAJOR EVENT: The Battle of Mactan was fought against Lapu-Lapu where Magellan was killed in battle, marking the biggest setback of the expedition.
• Tidore, Moluccas (November 8, 1521) `MAJOR EVENT: They reached the Spice Islands, completing their mission.
• They traded with the sultan for cloves and other valuable spices.
• The Trinidad ship became too damaged to sail; only the Victoria continued.
• Amsterdam Island, Indian Ocean (March 18, 1522): The Victoria, now commanded by Juan Sebastián Elcano, passed by uncharted islands.
• Cape of Good Hope, South Africa (May 18, 1522): Harsh storms slowed the journey, and several crew members died from exhaustion and starvation.
• Cape Verde Islands, Africa (July 9, 1522) `MAJOR EVENT: They stopped at a Portuguese-controlled island for food, and some crew members were captured by the Portuguese for being on a Spanish expedition.
• Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain (September 6, 1522) `MAJOR EVENT: Only one ship, Victoria, with 18 men, returned, completing the first circumnavigation of the Earth.
• Seville, Spain (September 8, 1522) `MAJOR EVENT: The surviving crew was welcomed as heroes, bringing back proof that the world could be circumnavigated, and their cargo of spices covered the costs of the entire expedition.

The Customs of the Tagalogs

• Fray Juan De Plasencia's real name was Joan de Portocarrero.
• He authored the “Relación de las Costumbres de Los Tagalog” (1589-1590).
• He was a Franciscan friar from Extremadura during the Siglo de Oro (Golden Age) of Spain.
• Plasencia was among the first missionaries to the Philippines on July 2, 1578.
• He was assigned to different mission areas in Luzon, including Laguna, Quezon, Bulacan, and Rizal.
• Plasencia also wrote Doctrina Christiana en Lengua Espanola Y Tagal.
• The book "Customs of the Tagalogs" was written by Juan de Plasencia around 1589-1590, in the late 16th century.
• The King of Spain tasked him to document the social and cultural practices of people in central Luzon before the arrival of Spanish missionaries.

Barangays and Social Structure

• Tagalog societies were organized into barangays led by a datu.
• Some barangays consisted of around 30 - 100 houses made with Wood, Bamboo, and Nipa Palm.
• Barangays were a community of parents and children, relations, and slaves led by a datu.
• A datu was the highest leader in the barangay.
• Datus acted as rulers, judges, and military commanders and were assisted by the Council of Elders called “The Maginoos.”
• Datu leadership was usually hereditary, but capable individuals could rise to power.

Three Main Classes:

• Maharlika (Nobles): Free citizens who did not pay tribute, owned land, held privileges, and assisted the datu in governance or war.
• Maharlikas had to provide and prepare weapons at their own expense in times of war and answer the summons of the datu; received ganima (a share in the war spoils).
• Aliping Namamahay (Commoners): They served nobles, had their own homes and some rights, worked in agriculture and other labors, but were not enslaved.
• Aliping Saguiguilir / Saguiguilid (Slaves): They had no freedom and worked in households or fields.
• Alipings were often enslaved due to debts or war.
• They could sometimes earn their freedom, living and serving within their master's property without income and could be sold to other masters.

Society Legal Proceedings and Punishment

• Investigations and sentencing by the datu were conducted in the presence of the barangay members.
• Crimes such as insulting the daughter or wife of a chief and practicing witchcraft were punishable by death.
• Individuals were not condemned to slavery unless they merited the death penalty.
• Witches were executed, and their children and accomplices became slaves of the chief, who compensated the injured party.
• Lesser offenses were punished with gold fines, but if the culprit could not pay immediately, they were required to serve the aggrieved party until the debt was settled.
• The master took half of the offender's cultivated land and produce while providing food and clothing.
• If the debt remained unpaid, the offender's children could also become servants.
• Some offenders worked as aliping namamahay (living independently but providing service).
• Others, in cases of permanent debt, became aliping sa guiguilir (household slaves).
• Marriages were generally monogamous; the wives were called “Asawa.”
• Courtship begins with Paninilbihan where the man serves the girl's parents for months or years.
• While serving, the man was not supposed to talk with the lady; only their eyes met to show love.
• If the man satisfied the parents, they would give their consent to the marriage.
• Before marriage, the men were required to give a dowry, and the man will give a piece of land, gold, dependents, or slaves.
• Panghihimuyat was a gift for the bride's parents.
• Bigay-suso was a payment for the bride's wet nurse.
• Himaraw was another sum of money.

Religious Beliefs and Rituals

• The Tagalog people followed animism and polytheism, believing in spirits called anitos, which influenced their daily lives.
• They worshiped Bathala as the supreme god and other deities like Idiyanale (goddess of labor) and Dumangan (god of harvest).
• Spirits were believed to inhabit nature, guiding and affecting human life.
• They worshiped Sidarapa/Sidapa (God of Death), Agni (God of Fire), Balangaw (God of Rainbow), Mandarangan (God of War), Lalahon (God of Harvest), Siginarugan (God of Hell), Dian Masalanta (Patron of Love), and Buaya (water-lizards) who they paid reverence/devotion.
• Babaylan (Spiritual Leaders) conducted rituals, healings, and communicated with spirits.
• Pag-aanito was a form of worship involving chants and offerings performed for blessings and protection.
• Pandot was a festival or religious gathering held at the large house of the datu.
• The event served as a time for worship and community bonding.
• Sibi was a temporary shed or structure built to provide shelter for people attending religious ceremonies.
• Sorohile were small lamps used to illuminate the sibi during the worship ceremonies.
• Nagaanitos (Naagnitos) was the act of worship where the entire barangay and families came together to honor their deities, spirits, or ancestors.

Economy, Writing and Mourning Customs

• Before the Spaniards, the Tagalogs used a system of writing called BAYBAYIN, which consisted of 3 vowels and 14 consonants.
• They used sap of trees as ink and pointed sticks as pencils.
• They wrote on large plant leaves, the bark of a tree, or bamboo tubes.
• The Tagalogs had a diverse and self-sufficient economy that relied on agriculture, hunting, fishing, craftsmanship, and trade.
• Farming was common in lowland areas, where people grew crops such as rice, corn, bananas, coconuts, sugarcane, and various fruits and vegetables.
• Hunting was practiced in mountainous regions, and fishing took place along riverbanks and coastal areas.
• Industries such as shipbuilding, weaving, poultry farming, mining, and lumbering were also developed.
• Trade between different barangays was conducted using boats.
• International trade was established with regions like Borneo, China, Japan, Cambodia, Java, and Thailand through a barter system.
• The deceased is placed in a wooden box (kabaong) and is buried next to their house.
• If the person was a Datu, they were laid to rest under a small structure or porch built specifically for this purpose.
• The Tagalogs believed in life after death.
• Morotal: Mourning for a deceased woman.
• Maglahi: Mourning for a deceased man.
• Laraw: Mourning for a deceased datu (chief).
• Pansiyam (Pasiam): The ninth-day death ritual, marking the end of mourning.
• The Tagalogs believed in numerous superstitions and omens that influenced their daily lives, including the Tigmamanuguin, a mystical bird whose song was interpreted as good or bad.

Priests of the Devil (The Twelve Devils)

• The Tagalogs believed in various priests and witches, each possessing unique abilities, often feared for their power to heal, harm, or manipulate others.
• Catolonan: Could be either a man or a woman; Served as a healer, shaman, seer, and community leader.
• Mangagauay: Considered witches who deceived people by pretending to heal the sick and had the power to cause death through their dark arts.
• Manyisalat: Similar to the Mangagauay and had the ability to cast spells that caused lovers to abandon and despise their spouses.
• Mangcocolam: Had the terrifying ability to emit fire from their body at night, typically once a month.
• The fire could not be extinguished, and those in the same house would perish.
• Hacloban: A more powerful kind of witch than the Mangagauay, could kill simply by raising a hand, but could also heal those they had afflicted using other charms.
• Silagan: Particularly feared in Catanduanes. If they saw anyone dressed in white, they would tear out and consume their liver, causing immediate death.
• Magtatangal: Appeared at night without their head or entrails, carrying their severed head in different places then By morning, their body would be restored, and they would return to normal.
• Osuang: Equivalent to a sorcerer and believed to fly and prey on humans, murdering and consuming their flesh.
• Mangagayoma: Crafted charms from herbs, stones, and wood to infuse people's hearts with love.
• Sonat: Functioned as a preacher and predicted whether a soul would be saved or condemned.
• This role was often reserved for people of high social standing.
• Pangatahojan: Served as soothsayers with the ability to predict the future.
• Bayoguin: Referred to as a "cotquean," defined as a man whose nature inclined toward that of a woman.

Mythological Figures

• Aswang: A creature with human and monstrous forms that preyed on humans, particularly at night, a myth that instilled fear and caution among communities, especially regarding night travel.
• Tiyanak: A malevolent spirit that takes the form of an abandoned infant that transforms into a monster when someone picks it up, attacking its victim.
• Hakluban: A powerful shape-shifting witch capable of both healing and causing harm.
• It is believed to control life and death, reflecting the dual nature of supernatural beings in Tagalog mythology.
• Kapre: A giant, cigar-smoking spirit said to live in large trees, believed that it plays tricks on people, making them lose their way or feel disoriented.
• Diwata: A benevolent spirit or minor deities that resides in nature, believed that they protect specific places and were often appeased with offerings to avoid misfortune.
• Tikbalang is described as a half-human, half-horse being with a horse's head, a human-like torso, and horse-like feet.

Historical Background (Before the Katipunan)

• The Philippines were under Spanish rule for over 300 years.
• Filipinos were oppressed; including forced labour, high taxes, and religious domination by the Catholic Church.
• The Filipinos requesting reforms were ignored/denied as it lead to growing discontent among the people.
• The Filipino elites and the lower classes began to seek for reforms, and in turn began the sowing of the seeds of rebellion.

The llustrados and Katipunan

• The Ilustrados were the educated Elites
• The Katipunan was a secret revolutionary society founded in 1892 by Andres Bonifacio and others, aiming for Philippine Independence from Spanish rule.
• The objectives of the katipunan were to achieve freedom, equality and social justice for the Filipinos.
• The Katipunan started with 300 members and grew to 30,000 as it spread to other provinces.
• The six founders of the katipunan were Andres Bonifacio, Teodoro Plata, Valentin, Ladislao Diwa, and Jose Dizon.

Women of KKK and Cedula

• The women of the KKK were Greogoria de Jesus and Trinidad.
• The cedula was a personal identification document imposed by Spain.
• Tearing it symbolized defiance.

Kartilya vs Dekalogo ng Katipunan and Emilio Jacinto

• Kartilya focused on the moral and ethical principles for living a righteous life.
• Dekalogo provided concrete rules for members to follow in their fight for independence.
• Emilio Jacinto was one of the key leaders of the Katipunan and is often referred to as the “Brains of the Revolution.”
• He was a brilliant writer and strategist, contributing significantly to the katipunan's ideology through his works.
• At The cry of Balintawak / Pugad Lawin (August 23, 1896), Bonifacio and his men tore their cedulas, symbolizing their defiance against Spanish Rule, which was considered the Official start of the Philippine Revolution.
• Andres Bonifacio, Ladislao Diwa, Teodoro Plata, and other patriots, founded the KKK after Jose Rizal was exiled to Dapitan on July 7, 1892.
• The Katipunan was more than just a secret society; it was the heart of the Philippine Revolution built on the dreams of freedom, equality, and national identity.
• Led by Andrés Bonifacio and guided by the intellect of Emilio Jacinto, the movement inspired Filipinos to break free from centuries of Spanish oppression.
• The Cry of Pugad Lawin wasn't just a symbolic act of tearing cedulas; it was the spark that turned frustration into a full-blown revolution.
• Though the fight was long and difficult, it reshaped the Philippines forever, proving that ordinary Filipinos had the power to stand up against tyranny.
• Jacinto's Kartilya ng Katipunan wasn't just a list of rules, it was the soul of the revolution.
• It taught that true freedom wasn't just about independence but about living with integrity, selflessness, and a deep love for the country.