STRAIT OF MAGELLAN
The Strait of Magellan (also called the Straits of Magellan or the Magellanic Strait) comprises a navigable sea
route immediately south of mainland South America and north of Tierra del Fuego. The waterway is the most
important natural passage between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans, but it is considered a difficult route to navigate
because of the unpredictable winds (williwaws) and currents and the narrowness of the passage.
Magellan Strait
After they exit the strait of Magellan, they reached an ocean that seemed so calm so he named it; Mara
Pacifico, the peaceful sea, Pacific Ocean.
While they are in Pacific Ocean, the supplies have run out. They were forced to eat rat and drink putrid water.
19 died of scurvy.
After 99 days, the lookout spotted an island, they found Guam in the Mariana Islands.
The islanders stole one of their boats, fighting broke out and Magellan had to leave without fresh provisions.
A week later, Magellan and his men became the First Europeans to reach the Philippines where they were able
to feast on bananas and coconuts.
March 16, 1521
Ferdinand Magellan discovered Humunhon, Samar.
March 17, 1521
Magellan desired to land to get water and rest.
March 18, 1521
Magellan had an encounter with the Zuluans.
March 22, 1521
Zuluan people returned as they had promised in 2 boats with resources.
March 29, 1521
Magellan wanted to be “casi-casi” or brother with the king.
March 31, 1521
The first Catholic Mass in the country, the cross was also set on the highest mountain.
April 1, 1521
Magellan and his men stayed for 7 more days.
April 7, 1521
Magellan and his men entered Zubu (Cebu) port. Magellan’s crew fired their canon that surprised the locals.
Magellan then ordered Enrique to tell the Cebuanos that it is their tradition from Spain that means it is a sign
that the Captain wants to be friendly or ally.
The Cebuanos became friends with them, they gave rice, wild boar, chicken and ship to Magellan and
Magellan trade cloth, Salamingora or Cap to them.
April 8, 1521
Magellan and the Chiefs and Kings of Zubu gathered on the Open Square and agreed to have a blood pact.
April 14, 1521
800 more souls were Baptized including the king that was named “King Carlos” and afternoon, her wife was
also baptized and named “Reyna Juana”.
Magellan ordered the baptized citizens to destroy their anitos and change it into a cross.
Magellan gave Reyna Juana a statue, the statue of Sto. Niño.
Magellan promised Rajah Humabon to fight all their rivals that was led by Lapu-Lapu.
April 27, 1521
Magellan sent a message to Lapu-Lapu that if they acknowledge the King of Spain and King Carlos (Rajah
Humabon) and give them tribute, they will become their allies, but if not they will declare a war. Lapu-Lapu
rejected.
Magellan decided that they will attack at sunrise. Rajah Humabon tried to help but Magellan declined.
April 28, 1521
From their gallion, 49 Spaniard Soldiers walked from the water because the ship cannot go to the seaside.
Lapu-Lapu’s force consist of 3 groups of men estimated to be around 1500 soldiers that surround them that
was shaped in a triangular manner. Screaming as they attack Magellan’s forces.
The Spain soldiers were overwhelmed by the massive number of stones, muds, and spears that was thrown to
them.
Magellan was hit by a poisoned arrow. He told his crew to retreat, 6-8 men stayed beside Magellan to fight.
Magellan was speared in the face but he retaliated. But, unfortunately hit in the arm by a sword and kampilan
to his left leg.
Using the interpreted of Magellan, Enrique, Rajah Humabon invited the Spain soldiers into a feast while being
accompanied by ladies. The Cebuanos then poisoned them during this feast, because they raped some women
before the battle of Mactan.
The survivors left with only men left to crew two ships. They burned the Concepcion and continue their
search for spice islands using the remaining ships—the Trinidad and the Victoria.
They travelled to the Muslim Court of Brunie in Borneo and were amazed by its splendor.
With the help of local guides, more than two years away from Spain, they reached their destination: the Spice
or Maluku Islands.
They traded everything they had for all the cloves their two ships could carry. But as they prepared to go back
to Spain, the Trinidad did spring a leak and had to stay behind for repairs. Its crew later tried to return to Spain
across the Pacific, but most of the men became sick or died.
The survivors had to return to the Maluku Islands where the Victoria and the Concepcion were captured by the
Portuguese.
The Victoria, the last and smallest ship of Magellan’s fleet sailed west for home, captained by Juan Sebastian
Elcano. Crossing their Indian Ocean, it took 9 weeks of battling headwinds before they could round the Cape
of Good Hope.
The men began to starve once more. 21 died before they found fresh provisions at Cape Verde.
On the 8th of September 1523, almost exactly 3 years after their departure, the famished and exhausted crew of
the Victoria cast anchor at Seville, Spain.
