Unit Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary

Sources
Page |1
Module First Voyage Around the World by Ferdinand Magellan
GE2-RPH Readings in Philippine History Units: 3.0

INFORMATION SHEET PR-4.1.1

Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary Sources in the Philippine History
“First Voyage Around the World by Ferdinand Magellan – by Antonio Pigafetta”

In this lesson, the student on his own and in the long run will be able to:

1. Familiarize oneself with the primary documents in different historical periods of the
Philippines;
2. Learn history through primary sources;
3. Properly interpret primary sources through examining the content and context of the
document; and
4. Understand the context behind each selected document.

First Voyage Around the World by Ferdinand Magellan – by Antonio Pigafetta

The historian’s primary tool of understanding

and interpreting the past is the historical sources.
Historical sources ascertain historical facts. Such facts are
then analyzed and interpreted by the historian to weave
historical narrative. Using primary sources in historical
research entails two kinds of criticism. The first one is
EXTERNAL CRITICISM and the second is INTERNAL
CRITICISM. EXTERNAL CRITICISM examines the
authenticity of the document or the evidence being used
while INTERNAL CRITICISM examines the truthfulness of
the content of the evidence.

Who is Antonio Pigafetta?

Famous Italian traveler born in Vicenza around

1490 and died in the same city in 1534, who is also
known by the name of Antonio Lombardo or Francisco
Antonio Pigafetta. Initially linked to the order of Rhodes,
which was Knight, went to Spain in 1519, accompanied by
Monsignor Francisco Chiericato, and was made available
from Carlos V to promote the company initiated by the
Catholic Monarchs in the Atlantic. Soon he became a
great friendship with Magallanes, who accompanied,
together with Juan Sebastián Elcano, in the famous
expedition to the Moluccas begun in August of 1519 and
finished in September 1522.
PREPARED BY: APPROVED FOR IMPLEMENTATION:
MODULE 1st & 2nd
PRELIM
4 Meeting MR. DICKSHYL M. KALLOS MR. WILBERT A. MAÑUSCA
Instructor School Administrator
 Unit Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary
Sources
Page |2
Module First Voyage Around the World by Ferdinand Magellan
GE2-RPH Readings in Philippine History Units: 3.0

He was wounded at the battle of the island of Cebu (Philippines) in which Magellan found death.
The output of Seville made it aboard of the Trinity; the return, along with a handful of survivors (17 of
the 239 who left this adventure), in victory, ship that entered in Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cádiz) on
September 6, the designated year. In the last years of his life, he traveled by land from France to finally
return to Italy in 1523. He wrote the relation of that trip, which was the first around the world, Italian
and with the title of Relazioni in lathe to the primo viaggio di circumnavigation. Notizia del Mondo
Nuovo with figure you dei paesi scoperti, which was published posthumously, in 1536.

The account of Pigafetta is the single most important source about the voyage of
circumnavigation, despite its tendency to include fabulous details. He took notes daily, as he mentioned
when he realizes his surprise at Spain and see that he had lost a day (due to its driving direction).
Includes descriptions of numerous animals, including sharks, the Storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus),
the pink spoonbill (Ajaja ajaja) and the Phyllium orthoptera, an insect similar to a sheet. Pigafetta
captured a copy of the latter near Borneo and kept it in a box, believing a moving blade who lived in the
air. His report is rich in ethnographic details. He practiced as an interpreter and came to develop, at
least in two Indonesian dialects.

Pigafetta’s work instantly became a classic that prominent literary men in the West like WILLIAM
SHAKESPEARE, MICHEL de MONTAIGNE, and GIAMBATTISTA VICO referred to the book in their
interpretation of the New World. Pigafetta’s travelogue is one of the most important primary sources in
the study of the precolonial Philippines.

In Pigafetta’s account, their fleet reached what he called the LADRONES ISLANDS or the “Islands
of the Thieves.” He recounted: “These people have no arms, but use sticks, which have a fish bone at the
end. They are poor, but ingenious, and great thieves, and for the sake of that we call these three islands
the Ladrones Islands.”

The Ladrones Islands

The Ladrones Islands is presently known

as the Marianas Islands. Tendays after they have
reached Ladrones Islands, Pigafetta reported that
they have what he called the Isle of Zamal, now
Samar but Magellan decided to land in another
uninhabited island for greater security where they
could rest for a few days.

On MARCH 18, nine men came to them

and showed joy and eagerness in seeing them.
Magellan realized that the men were reasonable
and welcomed them with food, drinks and gifts.

PREPARED BY: APPROVED FOR IMPLEMENTATION:

MODULE 1st & 2nd
PRELIM
4 Meeting MR. DICKSHYL M. KALLOS MR. WILBERT A. MAÑUSCA
Instructor School Administrator
 Unit Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary
Sources
Page |3
Module First Voyage Around the World by Ferdinand Magellan
GE2-RPH Readings in Philippine History Units: 3.0

Pigafetta detailed in amazement and fascination the palm tree which bore fruits called cochos
and wine.

He characterized the people as “very familiar and friendly” and willingly showed them different
islands and the names of these islands. The fleet went to Humunu Island (Homonhon) and there they
found what he referred to as the “Watering Place of Good Signs.” for it is in this place that they found
the first signs of gold in the island. They named the island together with a nearby island as the
archipelago of St. Lazarus.

On March 25th, Pigafetta recounted that they saw two balanghai (balangay), a long boat full of
people in Mazzava/Mazaus. The leader whom he referred to the king became closely bonded with
Magellan as they both exchanged gifts to one another.

After a few days, Magellan was introduced to the king’s brother who was also a king of another
island where Pigafetta reported that they saw mines of gold. The gold was abundant that parts of the
ship and of the house of the king were made of gold. This king was named Raia Calambu, king of Zuluan
and Calagan (Butuan and Caragua), and the first king was Raia Siagu.

On March 31st (Easter Sunday), Magellan ordered the

chaplain to preside a Mass by the shore. The king heard about this
plan and sent two dead pigs and attended the Mass with the other
king. Pigafetta then wrote: “…when the offertory of the mass came,
the two kings, went to kiss the cross like us, but they offered
nothing, and at the elevation of the body of our Lord they were
kneeling like us, and adored our Lord with joined hands.” This was
the first Mass in the Philippines, and the cross would be famed
Magellan’s Cross which is still preserved at present day. This was the
same cross which Magellan explained to the kings as a sign of his
emperor who ordered him to plan it in the places where he would
reach and further explained that once other Spaniards saw this
cross, then they would know that they had been in this island and
would not cause them troubles.

By April 7th, Magellan and his men reached the port of Zzubu (Cebu) with the help of Raia
Calambu who offered to pilot them in going to the island. The kind of Cebu demanded that they pay
tribute as it was customary but Magellan refused. By the next day, Magellan’s men and the king of Cebu,
together with other principal men of Cebu, met in an open space. There the king offered a bit of his
blood and demanded that Magellan do the same.

On April 14, Magellan spoke to the kind and encouraged him to be a good Christian by burning
all of the idols and worship the cross instead. The king of Cebu was then baptized as a Christian. After 8
days, all of the island’s inhabitant were already baptized.
PREPARED BY: APPROVED FOR IMPLEMENTATION:
MODULE 1st & 2nd
PRELIM
4 Meeting MR. DICKSHYL M. KALLOS MR. WILBERT A. MAÑUSCA
Instructor School Administrator
 Unit Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary
Sources
Page |4
Module First Voyage Around the World by Ferdinand Magellan
GE2-RPH Readings in Philippine History Units: 3.0

When the queen came to the Mass one day, Magellan gave her an image of the Infant Jesus
made by Pigafetta himself.
On 26th of April, Zula, a principal man from the island of Matan (Mactan) went to see Magellan
and asked him for a boat full of men so that he would be able to fight the chief name Silapulapu
(Lapulapu). Magellan offered 3 boats instead and went to Mactan to fight the said chief.

They numbered 49 in total and the islanders of Mactan were estimated to number 1,500.
Magellan died in battle. He was pierced with a poison arrow in his right leg. The king of Cebu who was
baptized offered help but Magellan refused so that he could see how they fought.

The kind also offered the people of Mactan gifts of any value and amount in exchange of
Magellan’s body but the chief refused and wanted to keep Magellan’s body as a memento of their
victory.

Magellan’s men then elected Duarte Barbosa as the new captian.

Pigafetta also accounted how Magellan’s slave and interpreter named Henry betrayed them and
told the king of Cebu that they intended to leave as soon as possible. Henry and the king of Cebu
conspired and betrayed what was left of Magellan’s men. The king invited these men to a gathering
where he said he would present the jewels that he would send for the King of Spain.

Pigafetta was left on board the ship and was not able to join the 24 men who went to the
gathering because he was nursing his battle wounds.

The natives had slain all the men except the interpreter and Juan Serrano who shouted at the
men on this ship to pay ransom so that he would be spared but he was left on the island for they refused
to go back to shore.

The fleet abandoned Serrano and departed. They left Cebu and continued their journey around
the world.

References:

Books and Journals

 Alporha, Veronica C., Candelaria, John Lee P. (2018). Readings in Philippine History 1 st Edition,
Published by Rex Book Store
 Pigafetta, Antonio. The First Voyage Around the World, 1519-1522: An Account of Magellan’s
Expedition. Ed. Theodore J. Cachey, Jr. Toronto: University of Toronto Press
 History of Micronesia: A Collection of Source Documents. Ed. Rodrigue Levesque. vol. 1:
European Discovery, 1521-1560. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1994.
PREPARED BY: APPROVED FOR IMPLEMENTATION:
MODULE 1st & 2nd
PRELIM
4 Meeting MR. DICKSHYL M. KALLOS MR. WILBERT A. MAÑUSCA
Instructor School Administrator
 Unit Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary
Sources
Page |5
Module First Voyage Around the World by Ferdinand Magellan
GE2-RPH Readings in Philippine History Units: 3.0

SELF-CHECK PR-4.1.1

Direction: Answer the following questions:

1. What were the dates of Ferdinand Magellan voyage?

2. Who wrote the first voyage around the world?
3. What is the contribution of Antonio Pigafetta?
4. Where was the first Catholic mass held in the Philippines?
5. When did Magellan arrived in Cebu?
6. What is the significance of the cross that Magellan wants to plant on the island of Mactan?

PREPARED BY: APPROVED FOR IMPLEMENTATION:

MODULE 1st & 2nd
PRELIM
4 Meeting MR. DICKSHYL M. KALLOS MR. WILBERT A. MAÑUSCA
Instructor School Administrator
 Unit Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary
Sources
Page |6
Module First Voyage Around the World by Ferdinand Magellan
GE2-RPH Readings in Philippine History Units: 3.0

SELF-CHECK ANSWER KEY PR-4.1.1

1. On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain in an effort to find a western sea route to
the rich Spice Islands of Indonesia. In command of five ships and 270 men, Magellan sailed to
West Africa and then to Brazil, where he searched the South American coast for a strait that
would take him to the Pacific.
2. Antonio Pigafetta
3. Antonio Pigafetta was a young Venetian, likely in his 20s when he arrived in the Philippines as
part of Magellan's crew on March 17, 1521. The geographer and scribe of the group, he
recorded not only names of places and the vocabulary of the natives, but their food, attire,
customs, and traditions, too.
4. Limasawa
5. A thriving port occupied the site when Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese navigator and
explorer, landed there on April 7, 1521. He sealed a blood compact with Humabon, the chief of
Cebu, but was killed later by Chief Lapulapu of nearby Mactan Island.
6. Magellan planted a cross to signify this important event about the propagation of the Roman
Catholic faith in what is now Cebu, in central Philippines. The original cross is reputedly encased
in another wooden cross for protection, as people started chipping it away in the belief that it
had miraculous healing powers.

PREPARED BY: APPROVED FOR IMPLEMENTATION:

MODULE 1st & 2nd
PRELIM
4 Meeting MR. DICKSHYL M. KALLOS MR. WILBERT A. MAÑUSCA
Instructor School Administrator
 Unit Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary
Sources
Page |7
Module First Voyage Around the World by Ferdinand Magellan
GE2-RPH Readings in Philippine History Units: 3.0

STUDENT NAME: __________________________________ SECTION: __________________

PERFORMANCE TASK PR-4.1.1

PERFORMANCE TASK TITLE: Critical Essay / Making Timeline

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE: At the end of this activity, the student on his own and in the long
run will be able to demonstrate understanding and appreciation
on Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary Sources
in the Philippine History.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS: Pen and paper

EQUIPMENT: None
ESTIMATED COST: None

Directions:

A. Pick one of the following primary sources below. Write

an essay discussing (1) the importance of the text, (2) the
PROCESS/PROCEDURE: background of the text’s author, (3) the context of the
document, and (4) the text’s contribution to
understanding Philippine history.

1. Declaration of Martial Law

2. Speech of Corazon Aquino
3. Lapu Lapu / Magellan Markers
4. Kartilla
5. The Proclamation of the Philippine Independence

B. Make a timeline of the First Voyage of Ferdinand

Magellan.

PRECAUTIONS: None
ASSESSMENT METHOD: Performance task rubric checklist

PREPARED BY: APPROVED FOR IMPLEMENTATION:

MODULE 1st & 2nd
PRELIM
4 Meeting MR. DICKSHYL M. KALLOS MR. WILBERT A. MAÑUSCA
Instructor School Administrator
 Unit Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary
Sources
Page |8
Module First Voyage Around the World by Ferdinand Magellan
GE2-RPH Readings in Philippine History Units: 3.0

STUDENT NAME: __________________________________ SECTION: __________________

PERFORMANCE TASK RUBRIC CHECK LIST PR-4.1.1

RUBRIC SCORING
1 2 3 4 5
1. CONTENT – Contents are extensively presented. Establish connection
with one other in a detailed way.
2. RELEVANCE – Significantly related to the theme. The essay is focused
on topic at hand and a lot of attention is given to details.
3. ORGANIZATION – The order developed and sustained within and
across paragraphs using transitional devices and including introduction
and conclusion.
4. LANGUAGE – Use words appropriately and creatively. Demonstrate the
ability to use grammatical signals.
5. CAPACITY to PERSUADE – Capture and engage the interest of the
audience for the entire essay.
TEACHER’S REMARKS:  QUIZ RECITATION PROJECT

GRADE:

5 - Excellently Performed
4 - Very Satisfactorily Performed
3 - Satisfactorily Performed
2 - Fairly Performed
1 - Poorly Performed

MR. DICKSHYL M. KALLOS

TEACHER

Date: __________________

PREPARED BY: APPROVED FOR IMPLEMENTATION:

MODULE 1st & 2nd
PRELIM
4 Meeting MR. DICKSHYL M. KALLOS MR. WILBERT A. MAÑUSCA
Instructor School Administrator
 Unit Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary
Sources
Page |9
Module First Voyage Around the World by Ferdinand Magellan
GE2-RPH Readings in Philippine History Units: 3.0

STUDENT NAME: __________________________________ SECTION: __________________

WRITTEN WORK PR-4.1.1

WRITTEN WORK TITLE: Book Review

WRITTEN TASK OBJECTIVE: The student on his own and in the long run will be able to
demonstrate understanding and show their knowledge on the
topic and to express their opinion about the topic.

MATERIALS: Pen and paper

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT: None
ESTIMATED COST: None

Directions: Answer the following questions in paragraph form.

1. What was the purpose of the voyage of Magellan?

2. What were the reasons for their stay in the island?
3. How did Pigafetta describe the natives of the island?
4. What were the traditions or way of living of the natives
Questions: as observed by the travelers?
5. What were the cultural practices imparted by
Magellan’s group/Spaniards to the natives?
6. How did Magellan’s companions treat the natives?

PRECAUTIONS: None
ASSESSMENT METHOD: Written work criteria checklist

PREPARED BY: APPROVED FOR IMPLEMENTATION:

MODULE 1st & 2nd
PRELIM
4 Meeting MR. DICKSHYL M. KALLOS MR. WILBERT A. MAÑUSCA
Instructor School Administrator
 Unit Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary
Sources
P a g e | 10
Module First Voyage Around the World by Ferdinand Magellan
GE2-RPH Readings in Philippine History Units: 3.0

STUDENT NAME: __________________________________ SECTION: __________________

WRITTEN OUTPUT CRITERIA CHECK LIST PR-4.1.1

CRITERIA SCORING
Did I . . .
1 2 3 4 5
1. Focus – The single controlling point made with an awareness of task
about a specific topic.
2. Content – The presentation of ideas developed through facts,
examples, anecdotes, details, opinions, statistics, reasons and/or
opinions
3. Organization – The order developed and sustained within and across
paragraphs using transitional devices and including introduction and
conclusion.
4. Style – The choice, use and arrangement of words and sentence
structures that create tone and voice.
5. Conventions – Grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage and sentence
formation.
TEACHER’S REMARKS: QUIZ  RECITATION  PROJECT

GRADE:

5 - Excellently Performed
4 - Very Satisfactorily Performed
3 - Satisfactorily Performed
2 - Fairly Performed
1 - Poorly Performed

MR. DICKSHYL M. KALLOS

TEACHER

Date: __________________

PREPARED BY: APPROVED FOR IMPLEMENTATION:

MODULE 1st & 2nd
PRELIM
4 Meeting MR. DICKSHYL M. KALLOS MR. WILBERT A. MAÑUSCA
Instructor School Administrator