Spanish Ship Following Magellan’s Route To Arrive In The Philippines On 16th March, Filipinos Get Deja Vu

Spanish ship commemorating first boat to travel around the world to arrive in the Philippines

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The world’s first circumnavigation, headed by Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastián de Elcano, is indeed a feat in history. Completed almost 500 years ago in September 1522, it was a 3-year voyage including various ships that departed Spain in 1519 and arrived in the Philippines in March 1521.

So as part of its 500th anniversary, according to the Embassy of Spain in Filipinas, the Spanish Navy training ship Juan Sebastián De Elcano is to make a stop in the Philippines very soon. Currently sailing from Guam, the vessel following Magellan’s route is expected to arrive in Guiuan, Eastern Samar on 16th March to mark the day Magellan landed in the Philippines several centuries ago.

The ship will then visit the islands of Suluan and Homonhon and the province of Cebu in the succeeding days. 

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Filipinos are experiencing deja vu

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Image credit: The Hispanic Renaissance in the Philippines

It turns out that Filipinos are welcoming the arrival of the ship with deja vu. For instance, The Hispanic Renaissance of the Philippines, a group advocating for the return of the Spanish language and the conservation of Spanish-era landmarks in the country, posted a note on the ship’s expected arrival on 7th March on their Facebook page.

The Elcano ship arriving in Guam as part of the 500th anniversary commemoration of the world’s first circumnavigation
Image credit: Valerie Maigue/ U.S Indo-Pacific Command 

“The Spanish Navy ship, Juan Sebastián Elcano, is now sailing towards the Philippines from Guam, and it is expected to arrive in Cebu by [March] 2021, coinciding with the 500th anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan – Juan Sebastián Elcano expedition and the birth of Christianity in the Philippines,” its post read.

An illustration of Battle of Mactan
Image credit: Nmcast

And, in reference to the Battle of Mactan, which happened on 27th April 1521 between warriors of Mactan chief Lapu-Lapu and Magellan, the post’s comments section was filled not with celebratory comments, but rather with humorous comments about the idea of a  “rematch” between Spanish warriors and the natives of Mactan, Cebu.

Image adapted from Clyde Ortencio, Niccolaine Mikhailov

Netizen Clyde Ortencio jokingly asked, “You mean rematch?”, while another commenter Nikkolaine Michailov even poked fun at the idea of a rematch between Lapu-Lapu’s and Magellan’s descendants during COVID-19.

Image credit: Arthur Corsame

Netizen Arthur Corsame also saw the humor in the idea of a rematch when he commented with a photo of locals wearing traditional clothing – similar to what we imagine the warriors of Cebu wore centuries ago.

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Some weren’t excited about the ship’s arrival, however

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Image credit: Haruto Nanase

Some weren’t keen on the ship coming to the Philippines, however. Netizen Haruto Nanase, for example, commented sarcastically that its arrival would seem like a celebration of the day the Philippines got colonized for 333 years under Spanish rule.

Image credit: Arwen Dizon

Others pointed out that the ship’s arrival is part of reenacting the world’s first circumnavigation, and not about the Spanish colonization of the Filipinos.

Image credit: Kim Tiangja Diaz

Sensing the heat in the comments, Netizen Kim Tiangja Diaz was sad about how some of the discussions turned out, so she reminded everyone that while the ship’s sailing to the Philippines is for historical and heritage reasons, “the idea of a [Mactan] showdown (remastered)” is not less funny.

Putting this into perspective, even though the ship’s arrival is to be a peaceful one, the Battle of Mactan involved a violent fight that led to the deaths of Lapu-Lapu’s tribe and even Magellan himself – so its anniversary is understandably a solemn occasion for many. 

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Spanish ship retracing Magellan’s route in the Philippines

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While the legacy of Magellan, one of the leaders of the world’s first circumnavigation, remains up for debate, the historic circumnavigation is indeed a scientific achievement. 

And as the Spanish ship Elcano is about to arrive on our shores to commemorate Magellan’s route in the Philippines, let’s remember the history of Magellan’s historic arrival and the stories of Spanish influence in our country hundreds of years ago.

Also check out:

• 8 centuries-old buildings in the Philippines
• 10 things to do in Intramuros
• 20 islands in the Philippines

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Cover image adapted from: juantiagues, Arthur Corsame