Magellan the "Lusitanian"



Ferdinand Magellan is resented in this print with Latin inscriptions: "Ferdinandus Magagelanes Lusitanus". The last word "Lusitanus" stands for his homeland Portugal. "Lusitania" was the old Roman name of the province that corresponds to what is now Portugal.

Magellan was a veteran officer in the Portuguese army that conquered the fabled sultanate of Malacca (southern Peninsular Malaysia) in the year 1511, under the command of Alfonso de Albuquerque.

Some great men went to wars and were left with scars of great battles. Miguel Cervantes for example was wounded in the Battle of Lepanto 1571, which rendered his left hand useless. For this, he was known also as 'El Manco de Lepanto"- in Tagalog 'Ang Komang ng Lepanto". (Yes Tagalogs like the game of jumbled- reverse words...binaligtad lang yung "manco". Same as in "cinco or singko" reverse in to "kusing). 

He was wounded in one battle in Africa, that left him walking limp. Indeed with such disability, the Battle of Mactan could be judged as "one-sided", if it was really a one on one duel.  A "simplified murder" or even suicide on the part of the celebrated Portuguese explorer.

After Malacca and the skirmish in Africa, Magellan was back in Europe and was corresponding with his friend Francisco Serrão, who was living in the Moluccas (Spice Islands, Indonesia). Serrão was also a veteran of the Malacca campaign, he sailed and stayed in the Moluccas after the Portuguese took Malacca. Their letters became part of a blueprint for an expedition quite different from other undertakings.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez: Rizal's Batman

Image
   Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez (1849-1928) Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez, a Spanish Jesuit, held a special place in Rizal's heart as his favorite teacher at Ateneo, where the priest taught Literature. It was under Fr. Sanchez's guidance that the young Rizal delved into the treasures of Greek and Latin Classics. The priest's encouragement led Rizal to hone his literary talents, engaging in the crafting of essays and poetry. The relationship between mentor and student was characterized by mutual respect and admiration. Father Sanchez even staunchly defended Rizal's work, 'Noli Me Tangere.' However, in a letter to Blumentritt dated May 1890, Rizal shared a nuanced description of the priest: "Father Sanchez is a keen observer, albeit somewhat pessimistic, often inclined to view the darker aspects of life. During our school days, he was often playfully referred to as a 'dark spirit,' and students affectionately nicknamed him 'Paniki,' a...
Read more

Jose Rizal's Bomb Plot

Image
Victorian lamp The Plot Even before international terrorists adopted the horrific tactics of suicide bombers and bomb couriers in their campaigns of vengeance, Philippine national hero José Rizal conceived a plot in his novel El Filibusterismo that involved a catastrophic explosion to ignite a revolution. In Chapters 34 and 35, Simoun arrives at the wedding reception of Juanito Pelaez and Paulita Gomez bearing a seemingly innocuous gift – a lamp. However, concealed within it is a potent explosive: nitroglycerin. The reception takes place at the former residence of the deceased Captain Tiago, which Simoun has meticulously rigged with explosives beforehand. According to his plan, the lamp will remain lit for only twenty minutes before flickering. If anyone attempts to adjust the wick, a catastrophic explosion will ensue, claiming the lives of all those gathered – a significant portion of Manila's elite, including prominent figures from both civil society and the church hierarch...
Read more

Pinagbuhatan Fiesta -- San Sebastián

Image
Every year on January 20, the typically monotonous streets of Barangay Pinagbuhatan in the City of Pasig transform themselves into a vibrant place of merrymaking and festivities. The focal point of the Mardi Gras-like atmosphere in the barangay is always the parish church, as January 20 marks the feast day of its revered patron saint—San Sebastian. "Viva San Sebastian!" At the break of dawn on the said day, brass bands parade the streets, as if calling the people to start the festivities—the traditional early morning rounds called "djana" (or diana to some bands). Now and then, that heroic sound of martial music would be broken by the distant sounds of exploding fireworks. The formal celebration starts with the morning mass officiated by the parish priest. In truth, the building excitement would not be found inside the church where mass is being held but instead outside. In the church grounds, the brewing festivities heat up. People gather outside, young and old ali...
Read more