First Voyage Around the World
1. Author’s Background Known by the name of Antonio
Lombardo or Francisco Antonio
Pigafetta
Pigafetta was born in a wealthy
Vicenza family in 1491 and died in the
same city in 1534
In his youth he studied astronomy,
geography, and cartography.
He was also an Italian seafarer and
geographer
He joined the expedition to the Spice
Islands led by explorer Ferdinand
Magellan under the flag of King
Charles I of Spain and, after
Magellan's death in the Philippines,
the subsequent voyage around the
world.
2. Historical background of the On 10 August 1519, five ships departed
document from Seville for what was to become the
first circumnavigation of the globe. Linked
by fame to the name of its captain,
Magellan, much of the expedition is known
through the travelogue of one of the few
crew members who returned to Spain,
Antonio Pigafetta. A narrative and
cartographic record of the journey
(including 23 hand-drawn watercolour
charts) from Patagonia to Indonesia, from
the Philippines to the Cape of Good Hope,
Pigafetta's The First Voyage around the
World is a classic of discovery and
exploration literature.
3. Content Analysis: Understanding Socio-cultural Significance
the historical information
The descriptions of the natives reflect the
early lives of the Visayan ancestors.
A. Identify and describe the
customs and traditions
mentioned in the document that
Political Significance
have:
1. Socio-cultural significance The journal shows that even before the
2. Political significance pre-colonial Philippines had its own
3. Economic significance political system.
Economic Significance
They had the barter system wherein they
exchange their good for something that
they want or need.
B. Identify and describe the Dates
mentioned:
March 16, 1521 – arrival at the island
a. Dates
of Samar
b. Places
March 18 – encounter with the
c. Personalities
townsfolk
March 22 – receiving gifts from the
townsfolk
March 25 – approaching the four small
islands namely; Cenalo, Hiunanghan,
Ibusson, and Abrien
March 28 – anchored in the island of
Zamatra (Sumatra)
March 29 – conversation between the
captain general and the King of
Zamatra
March 31 – the first mass took place
April 7 – entered the port of Zubu
Places
Islands of Ladroni – Islands of thieves
Island of Zamal (Samar) – an
uninhabited island where they took
shelter
Island of Humunu (Homonhon) – a
place where they found two springs of
the clearest water
Butuan and Calagan – the first mass
site
Ceylon, Zubu Calaghann – best ports
to get food
Mazaua – where they remained for
seven days
Ceylon, Bohol, Canighan, Baybai and
Gatighan – the five islands they
passed through
Gatighan – bats were as large as
eagles
Polo, Ticobon, and Pozon – islands
where they awaited for the king of
Mazaua
Personalities
Captain-General – Ferdinand
Magellan
Raia Colambu & Raia Siaui – kings
that took part in the mass
4. Contextual Analysis: He wanted to explore and learn about the
world in which he heard about Magellan’s
What are the factors that could have
expedition where he asked and obtained
influenced Antonio Pigafetta in the
the permission to join the voyage. The
writing of the document? Explain.
document was his journal which became
basis for his travelogue.
5. What are the relevance / The document is one of the early proofs of
contribution of the document in life in the Visayas region. Pigafetta’s
Philippine history? description on how the natives were
dressed and about their appearances
shows the early lives of the Visayan
ancestors and how they lived in the islands
in peace.
6. What are the author’s main Magellan and his crew were the people
arguments? who converted some of the natives to
Christianity. They were also responsible
for the first mass in the Philippine Islands.
7. Your own overall observation His travelogue is one of the most important
and insights on the primary primary sources in the study of pre-
source colonial Philippines.
