The Villalobos Expedition

Study Notes

Ruy Lopez de Villalobos embarked on an expedition to the Philippines on November 1, 1542, from Barra de Navidad, New Spain (modern-day Mexico).
Appointed by Antonio de Mendoza, the viceroy of New Spain, Villalobos aimed to colonize the Philippines but ultimately failed.

Following earlier failed expeditions, King Charles I halted colonization efforts in the Philippines.
In 1556, King Philip II ordered a new expedition led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, accompanied by priest Andres de Urdaneta.
Legazpi's expedition reached Cebu on February 13, 1565, engaging in a brief conflict with local natives before moving to Leyte, Camiguin, and Bohol.
A blood compact with Datu Sikatuna in Bohol marked a pivotal friendship, allowing Legazpi to acquire spices and gold.
On April 27, 1565, Legazpi returned to Cebu, destroyed Rajah Tupas' town, and established a settlement.
Under orders from Philip II, 2,100 men arrived to strengthen Spanish presence; they constructed the port Fuerza de San Pedro as a trade outpost.
On May 8, 1565, Martin de Goiti landed in Manila, forging an alliance with Rajah Suliman, but conflict erupted as locals resisted.
The superior weaponry of the Spaniards led to the conquest of Manila; Legazpi later built key alliances with local rulers.
In 1571, Legazpi initiated the construction of Intramuros, establishing it as the colonial capital.
Upon his death in 1572, Legazpi was interred at San Agustin Church in Intramuros.
Manila was granted the title "Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad de España" by Philip II in 1574.

A Spanish Franciscan priest, Juan de Plasencia arrived in the Philippines in 1578 and contributed significantly to missionary work.
He co-founded several towns and authored books to promote understanding between Spanish and local languages.
Plasencia is credited with the creation of the Doctrina Cristiana, the first book printed in the Philippines, available in Spanish, Tagalog, Latin script, and Baybayin.

Emilio Jacinto y Dizon, a key Philippine Revolution figure, joined the Katipunan at age 19, serving as advisor on fiscal matters to Andres Bonifacio.
Jacinto was born on December 15, 1875, in Tondo, Manila, and married Catalina de Jesus.

Ferdinand Magellan's expedition, consisting of five ships, set sail in 1519 during the reign of Charles I, aimed at discovering new trade routes.
Magellan's voyage marked the beginning of Spain's significant involvement in the Philippines, influenced by the Treaty of Tordesillas.
On March 16, 1521, Magellan reached the Archipelago of San Lazaro, which is known today as the Philippines.
The first landing took place on Homonhon island in Samar, facilitated by Magellan's Malay interpreter, Enrique.
The first Christian mass in the archipelago was held on March 31, 1521, at Limasawa, led by Father Pedro de Valderrama.

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