RPH Pigafetta

Claudia P.
Alturas Readings in Philippine History

BSA 1-1 January 25, 2019
1. Who is Antonio Pigafetta? What is his role in the Magellan-Elcano expedition?
Antonio Pigafetta was a well-educated man who studied astronomy, geography,

cartography and worked in the ships owned by the Knights of Rhodes. Pigafetta was the assistant
of Magellan in his expedition towards finding a route to the Spice Island by sailing westward. He
was born around 1490 in the town of Vicenza, Venice, Italy. For his love for adventure and avid
curiosity of the world he applied and was fortunately admitted as one of the sobresalientes in
Magellan's voyage. Even after the catastrophe and challenges the expedition had suffered,
Pigafetta survived along with Juan Sebastian Elcano and 17 other people. They went back to
Spain boarding the ship Victoria. Antonio Pigafetta kept a detailed journal of what happened
during the voyage that became a main source of the first encounter of the Spaniards and Filipinos.
2. According to Pigafetta, how did the locals of the island welcome Magellan and his crew?
While staying at their camp along the shore on March 18, a boat boarding nine men came
towards them and welcomed them with hospitality by giving the crew food such as fish, palm
wine, rice and coconut. As time goes by, they have become familiar with each other. The locals
were very pleasant and conversable, thus they were able to go along well with the Spaniards.
Magellan’s crew returned their kindness and generosity by allowing them in to their ships to
showcase some of their goods and other things. Magellan and the King traded with each other
that eventually developed into having a brotherly-relationship. The Spaniards held a mass in the
island and with that introduced Christianity to the locals which they gladly accepted.
3. How are the islander's way of life, cultural practices, and religious beliefs described? What
does Pigafetta's account tell us about the conditions of the Visayan islands in the 16th century?
The islanders are very generous, hospitable and kind. These traits are shown on how the
way they treated the Spaniards upon coming to their island. The Visayan Islands were
prosperous in terms of natural resources. The locals have an abundant supply of food ranging
from fish, meat, rice, fruits and refreshments. The groups of islands also have a flourishing flora
and fauna. Many birds of different kinds, color and sizes as well as marine creatures, were
vividly described by Pigafetta in his journal. He also wrote a detailed description about the
famous palm tree where the people got almost all of their needs. The locals are very efficient and
resourceful. They can make oil, wine, milk, powder, food and refreshment out of the coconut
which is the fruit of the said tree. The people were also fortunate with all the gold that can be
easily found in their island which they utilize by using it as an accessory and as an
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embellishment into their valuables. Even before the Spaniards came, the Visayan islanders have
their own religious belief, even if it was stated by Pigafetta that “they worshipped nothing” they
still clasped their hands, look up the sky and called their god named “Abba”. The Spaniards also
imposed that before the King and his chiefs become Christians they should burn all their idols
first which means that these locals already have their own gods to worship before the Spaniards
introduced Christianity. Aside from that, the locals already have their own political system in
which they have their King and chiefs to govern them.
4. Based on Pigafetta's account, how did the battle of Mactan start?
On April 27, 1521, the chief of the island of Mactan named Zula sent his son to present
two goats, to pay tribute to Magellan but he wasn’t able to send it to him because of the other
chief of the island named Lapu-Lapu. Lapu-Lapu refused to surrender under the king of Spain
and accept the religious belief the Spaniards imposing on them. Due to Lapu-Lapu’s defiance,
Magellan set out for battle along with sixty armed men, the Christian king (Rajah Humabon), the
prince and some of the chief men and some balanghais. At first Magellan doesn’t want to fight
and sent out a message to negotiate with Lapu-Lapu but morning came and so as the start of the
war.
5. Why was Pigafetta's journal not published?
Pigafetta wasn't able to find a financier who would pay for the deposit required to print
his manuscript. Even if his associates urged him to write a formal account about the expedition
of Magellan and was able to present his draft to Pope Clement VII, Philippe de Villiers L’Isle-
Adam and Louis Savoy still he wasn’t able to publish it. Also during that time, people's interest
has turned to Maximilianus Transylvanus and Peter Martyr. None of the people paid attention
towards Magellan's voyage anymore. Pigafetta's original journal didn't survived time. However,
a condensed version of his manuscript was published by Jacques Fabre in Venice and copies of
the manuscript were able to be handed down for the next generation.
This study source was downloaded by 100000854900645 from CourseHero.com on 11-13-2022 10:43:56 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/45542464/RPH-Pigafettapdf/
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Claudia P.

Alturas Readings in Philippine History

1. Who is Antonio Pigafetta? What is his role in the Magellan-Elcano expedition?

Antonio Pigafetta was a well-educated man who studied astronomy, geography,

4. Based on Pigafetta's account, how did the battle of Mactan start?

5. Why was Pigafetta's journal not published?

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