Domingo, Crystal Mae - Assignement#2

1.
Before reading the journal of Antonio Pigafetta, what are your first impressions about
a. Ferdinand Magellan b. Lapu-lapu c. Battle of Mactan? Give 2 each (overall, six)
Ferdinand Magellan
- Growing up, I perceived Magellan as a Spaniard who was the first one to discover the
Philippines and brought the Christianity here in the Philippines.
- A Portuguese who wanted to travel around the world and discover different things such
as spices, food, and culture.
Lapu-lapu
- I know that Lapu-lapu is a great leader who bravely protects his people against other
countries who try to invade their region. He is a fighter and a person with the highest
position in their army.
- Lapu-lapu was the first Filipino who resisted the colonization of Spaniards and
considered as a first Hero of the Philippines because of his contribution to nationalism
and for his undeniable courage.
Battle of Mactan
- This battle was between the Spaniards(Magellan) and Lapu-lapu(Filipino) where blood
was shed in order to protect the territory of Lapu-lapu and to refuse the Christianity
proposed by Magellan.
- In the battle of Mactan, It is also an impression that Magellan was allegedly killed by
Lapu-lapu and their team was defeated by Lapu-lapu’s army.
2. In this excerpt, what style of writing does Pigafetta utilize? In your own words, how
did the chronicler illustrate the following a. GOLD b. COCONUTS c.
CLOTHING/DRESSES d. SOCIETIES/COMMUNITIES
Writing style
- Pigafetta used narrative and descriptive style in writing the journal. He used narrative when
he narrated what happened during the arrival of Spaniards and descriptive style when he
described how people and community interact with each other, the description of different
products, the trading happened, and each event happened that time.
Gold
- He describes gold as a usual thing to see on the people in that place. People in that
place wear and use gold in any of their accessories, weapons, dishes, such as gold
earrings, gold armlets, scarfs and spears. Gold was being compared as a size of walnuts
and eggs that can be found everywhere even on the teeth of the King.
Coconuts
- Coconuts are a kind of fruit that came from a palm tree. They illustrate palm trees as a
multipurpose tree that all of its parts can be used on different things such as bread, wine,
oil, and vinegar. There are many purposes of palm trees and you can even make milk
from it and use its juice as a refreshing drink.
Clothing/Dresses
- People living on that Island are usually naked with a soft cloth woven from the bark of a
tree on their privies matching their dark, fat, black hair, and tattooed body while the
chiefs are wearing cotton cloth with silk embroidery. They illustrated their clothes and
styles as colorful since they wore silks and linen with a lot of embroidery.
Societies/Communities
- Societies are exactly what our natives, ancestors, and forefathers live with only relying
on nature in order to survive. The way of living of Europeans was totally different from
the way of surviving of the people on that island. Filipinos back then were so resourceful
in order to live, they get their food by hunting, and decorate themselves using the
minerals and things they find in our environment.
3. What were the cultural practices Pigafetta wrote down that are existing/continuing
today (cite 2 examples and elaborate), and are now extinct or discontinued (give 2
examples and elaborate)?
Culture that still exist
Trading/Barter System
- Trading or barter systems still exist where agreement with two people are made in
exchanging things. For example, Pigafetta wrote that the captain general gave the king a
garment, knives, and mirrors and in return they gave them food, combs, ivory and other
things. That still exists today especially when pandemic happens, people on social
media barter their things such as plants for other things that are being offered to
exchange.
Clothing and Style

- There are still parts of the country where indigenous people still wear naked or only
covered by tiny clothing and wear native cloth for them to recognize that their tribe still
exists today. The tradition of tattoos also continues until today and many people still
recognize that the tradition and culture of our natives still exist and we must respect
them.
Culture that extinct
Chewing of “areca”
- Chewing areca(resembles a pear) to make their mouth extremely red doesn’t exist
anymore as it does not have a good taste and is unnecessary in today’s time.
Quantity of Gold
- Back then, Pigafetta described gold as a normal gift that can be shared and can be
acquired by normal people since the amount of gold that can be found on our island is
numerous. However, today, very few people can own gold because of its high value and
price. It is also not usual to give someone gold if you’re just an ordinary person or not
belonging to the higher class.
4. In one paragraph, how Pigafetta portrayed Magellan as a. LEADER b. SOLDIER c.

PERSONALITY?
Magellan as a Leader - Magellan was perceived as a rational leader, he negotiated first with
the chiefs and kings and tried to compromise before fighting. He led his men towards success,
courage, and spirituality.
Magellan as a Soldier - Upon reading the excerpt, Pigafetta portrayed Magellan as a good
captain who led his people bravely during the fight. He was a soldier who was adored by his
men since when he died, all of them wept and grieved for their captain.
Magellan and his personality - Magellan was described as a good and very religious man. He
wanted to bring Christianity here in the Philippines and make Filipinos accept God as their
savior. He teaches these people to follow the greatness of Christ and give everything he can
offer to trade to the chiefs and Kings.
5. Compare your #1 impressions to Pigafetta's account, especially the Battle of Mactan.

What are the 3 differences you see between yours and the chronicler? Do you
sympathize with Magellan's fate and strengthen your admiration for Lapu-lapu?
Explain your answer.
- As a Filipino and in my own opinion, I’ll side with Lapu-lapu when he successfully killed the
Spaniards here in our country. Magellan thinks that he can convince all people on the island
to listen to his conditions and make promises that only his country will be benefited of. My
admiration for Lapu-lapu strengthened because he did not sway on all good talking and
offering by the team of Magellan. He stands on his ground to protect his dignity and his
country. I do not believe that Magellan has no hidden agenda knowing that he came from a
European country(which proved when Spaniards colonized our country for 333 years) he will
surely try to exploit all the gold and other rich minerals that can be found here. Lapu-lapu
deserved the title as the first hero in the Philippines by courageously fighting and leading his
people bravely.

Domingo, Crystal Mae - Assignement#2

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1.

Culture that still exist

Clothing and Style

4. In one paragraph, how Pigafetta portrayed Magellan as a. LEADER b. SOLDIER c.

5. Compare your #1 impressions to Pigafetta's account, especially the Battle of Mactan.

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