Every April 27, Filipinos commemorate the Battle of Mactan, the fateful day when Lapu-Lapu led his tribe to repel Spaniards from invading our shores. Lapu-Lapu’s ardent love for freedom led him to victory. Or at least that was what we were taught in grade school. Antonio Pigafetta, the chronicler of Magellan’s voyage, tells us a much colorful, albeit different story.
Magellan’s Landing in Homonhon Island
Contrary to old textbook depictions of Ferdinand Magellan arriving in the Philippines to invade the country, the actual purpose of Magellan’s voyage was to prove that Earth is not flat by circumnavigating the world by traveling westward to get to the East.
After crossing the Pacific Ocean, a name coined by Magellan for its tranquil waters, the expedition team sighted the highest peak on Samar Island on March 16, 1521. On Magellan’s orders, the crew waited until the following day until they landed on the beach of Homonhon, an uninhabited island.
