READING NO.

4
EXPEDITION IN PHILIPPINE
COLONIZATION
LOAISA EXPEDITION
 SUMMARY
• Headed by Garcia Jofre de Loaisa with Juan Sebastian Elcano
• Sailed off on July 24, 1525
• A hurricane separated the ships in 1526
• Loaisa died on July 30, 1526, Elcano died few days later
• The seven-ship fleet sailed from La Coruña, Spain in July 1525 and became
the second naval expedition to cross the Pacific Ocean in history, after the
Magellan-Elcano circumnavigation. The expedition resulted in the discovery of
the Sea of Hoces, south of Cape Horn and, the Marshall Islands in the Pacific.
One ship ultimately arrived in the Spice Islands on New Year's Day of 1527.
• 25 survived out of 450 men, one of them is Andres de Urdaneta.
• The survivors are successfully returned to Spain on 1536 and was completed
the second circumnavigation in history.
 WHAT TYPE OF SOURCE?
• In this reading, there are two sources have used. First, is the
journal from the original author Andres de Urdaneta, he was
personally narrated and written because it was directly
experienced of what happened during their journey to
circumnavigation.

• Lastly, secondary sources, since the author gave an

interpretations in readings of primary source. In the book of Zafra,
the author incorporates his personal insights and interpretation on
which detaching the original value of the component of the subject
being discussed such as Loaisa Expedition
ARE THERE CONTROVERSIES IN THIS TOPIC?

• This reading has no controversy found on Loaisa

Expedition. It was cleared that this reading has no
questionable information which the interpreter or readers
could feel lacking or confusing ideas can be found on the
source information. Loaisa expedition’s reading gave an
accurate and well-detailed story.
 RELEVANCE OF THE TOPIC TO PHILIPPINE HISTORY

• Urdaneta's work is important not only as a source of information about the

expedition itself, but also includes an early Western description of the
people and languages of the Philippines. Regarding on its relevancy, the
expedition touches at various places including the eastern coast of
Mindanao (Philippines), which our history has strong connection, because of
being colonized from Spaniards.
 RELEVANCE OF THE TOPIC TO THE NEW FILIPINO
GENERATION

• The relevance of Loaisa expedition to the new

Filipino generation is, it allows us to gain valuable
perspectives on the problems of our modern society.
Many problems, features, and characteristics of
modern Philippine society can be traced back
to historical questions on our colonial past, as well as
our pre-colonial culture.
SAAVEDRA EXPEDITION
 SUMMARY
prepared by Hernando Cortes Viceroy of Mexico
order of Charles I
first Spanish venture to East
command of Alvaro De Saavedra, cousin of Cortes
Saavedra brought with him a letter from Hernan Cortes to give to the King of Cebu.
Cortes requested the release of Spaniards held captive by the King of Cebu
Three ships and 110 men Saavedra expedition sailed from the Port of Zaguatanejo island, Mexico.
Middle Pacific, two ships of Saavedra wrecked
Arrived in Mindanao with 1 vessel
The remaining vessel was swept by strong winds in Tidore, one of the Molucas Island
He stayed for two months in Tidore
Failed to go back to Mexico
Died at sea, October 9, 1529

•Four Objectives of the Expedition:

•1.Rescue Juan Serrano and other Spaniards
•2.To look for Trinidad
•3.To find out what befell the Cabot Expedition
•4.To follow up the Loaisa expedition
 WHAT TYPE OF SOURCE?

• There are two types of sources. We based this report

from the book of Zafra that is why it is considered as a
secondary source. It analyzes and interprets the
historical events. On the other hand, there was also a
primary source of information coming from the letter that
was supposed to be given to the King of Cebu but, failed
to deliver it due to circumstances.
ARE THERE CONTROVERSIES IN THIS TOPIC?

• There are no controversies in this expedition because,

when Saavedra attempts to go back to Mexico, he insisted
the route and he followed what is the original plan. Aside
from that the whole expedition was also destroyed by
natural calamity during their expedition.
 RELEVANCE OF THE TOPIC TO PHILIPPINE HISTORY

• Saavedra became the first navigator to cross the Pacific

Ocean from the Americas and the Spaniards were able
to discover new Islands in the Philippines.
 RELEVANCE OF THE TOPIC TO THE NEW FILIPINO
GENERATION

• The relevance of Saavedra’s expedition to the new

generation is its contribution to the discovery of our
country. Most of the new generation nowadays only
knows about Magellan’s expedition and its connection
to the present generation. This expedition is also part
of our history and history itself is connected to the new
generation.
TREATY OF ZARAGOZA
 SUMMARY
• There was a rivalry between Spain and Portugal over the division of eastern
and western territories. When they discovered Moluccas Islands, both
immediately aimed to have their hands on it. The islands, now known as
Indonesia, became popularly known as the Spice Islands. The island is
abundant in natural resources. It offered food flavoring and preservation, as
well as medicinal uses. Spain was not interested in colonizing the East by
1529. Additionally, they incurred huge expenses from their three
expeditions, the Loaisa, Cabot, and Saavedra. With that, both nations
agreed to settle the issue in the same year. Spain was willing to give up its
claims in the East. In return, Portugal will reimburse Spain with a huge sum
of money. Thus, the Treaty of Zaragoza became a means to settle the issue
through the withdrawal of Spain from most of the islands in Asia.
 WHAT TYPE OF SOURCE?

•Treaty of Zaragoza – Written Primary source

•Book of Nicolas Zafra – Written Secondary Source

•The treaty of Zaragoza is a written Primary Source. However, the book of

Nicolas Zafra entitled The Reading in the Philippine History is a Written
Secondary Source. The book of Nicolas Zafra discussed some important
information of past events that really happened before and that was based
on the primary source. On the topic Treaty of Zaragoza, Zafra gets the
details from the primary source and the topic is all about the settlement
between the Portuguese and the Spaniards on the fight over the ownership
of territories around the world.
ARE THERE CONTROVERSIES IN THIS TOPIC?

• As I researched, there was a controversy about dividing the territories

between Portugal and Spain, and it was at the time of the Treaty of
Tordesillas. Portugal’s portion was 191 degrees of the Earth’s Hemisphere,
while Spain had a Portion of 169 degrees, and the Moluccas issue was
created on the Treaty of Tordesillas. It was an issue where Spanish and
Portuguese fights for the Moluccas island or called today Indonesia.
Indonesia was considered the cradle of all spices, and because of its
natural resources, two countries fight for who had the rights to own the
island. And the treaty of Zaragoza is established to have a settlement
between the two powerful countries.
 RELEVANCE OF THE TOPIC TO PHILIPPINE HISTORY
• Although not directly mentioned, the Philippines is considered to
be relinquished by Spain to Portugal under the Treaty of
Zaragoza. However, Spain still greedily sent expeditions. These
are Villalobos and Legazpi's expedition who reached the
Philippines in 1542 and 1565 respectively. Thus, if Spain
followed the Treaty of Zaragoza, Villalobos would have never
sailed to the Philippines and established a colony in Saranggani.
Legazpi's expedition could have never happened. Lastly, the
Philippines might have never been colonized by Spain.
 RELEVANCE OF THE TOPIC TO THE NEW FILIPINO
GENERATION

•The new Filipino generation could realize the things that would have
happened only if Spain followed the treaty. It is perhaps because of
greed and ambition that they intentionally broke their agreement with
Portugal. If the Philippines was never colonized by Spain, some of the
most known festivals would have never existed. Ultimately, the
Philippines could have never been officially called the Philippines. Thus,
the new Filipino generation could open their eyes to the possibilities that
could have changed the paths of the history of the Philippines.
VILLALOBOS EXPEDITION
 REASON FOR THE VILLALOBOS
EXPEDITION

• King Charles I's interest in establishing colonies in the East

• The popularity of the Eastern lands because of Urdaneta's reports
• King Charles I's personal concerns on the Treaty of Zaragoza
 SUMMARY
• The expedition consisted of six fleets with three hundred men.
• They sailed from Navida, Mexico on November 1, 1542.
• Commanded by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, brother-in-law of the Viceroy,
Antonio de Mendoza
• Reached the eastern coast of Mindanao on February 2, 1543 and headed
to Saranggani
• The crew suffered from scarcity of resources
• They were forced to consume unknown plants and animals
• Fray Geronimo Santisteban wrote a letter to the Viceroy on February 1547
briefly narrating the sufferring of the expedition team
Ruy Lopez de Villalobos

• Departed for Moluccas after eight months and reached Tidore on April
24, 1544
• Villalobos was held by the Portuguese to be deported back to Spain
• Contracted an illness in Amboina
• Taken care by Francis Xavier, later known as St. Francis Xavier, the
Apostle of the Indies
• Died in 1546
 Results on Villalobos expedition:

• Gave the Philippines a new name, Felipinas

• The name comes from the name of King Charles I's son,
Felipe
• The name was later on modified to Filipinas
 WHAT TYPE OF SOURCE?
• Book - Readings in the Philippine History - Nicolas Zafra
• Main reference for the whole chapter
• Published Secondary Written Source

• Reports - Urdaneta's experiences in the East - Andres de Urdaneta

• Mentioned in the book of Zafra
• A contributing factor to the Villalobos Expedition
• Gave popularity to the Eastern lands
• Published Primary Written Source

• Letter - The letter of Fray Geronimo to the Viceroy - Geronimo Santisteban

• Mentioned in the Book of Zafra
• Informed the Viceroy of the suferrings of the Villalobos Expedition
• Unpublished Primary Written Source
ARE THERE CONTROVERSIES IN THIS TOPIC?

No known controversies
“Why did Villalobos wait for, at least, eight months
before leaving for Moluccas?”
 RELEVANCE OF THE TOPIC TO PHILIPPINE HISTORY

• Changed the name of the Archipelago to Felipinas

 RELEVANCE OF THE TOPIC TO THE NEW FILIPINO
GENERATION

• Taught us about the Villalobos’ experiences in their

expedition.
• Opened our eyes to potential unworthiness.
LEGAZPI EXPEDITION
 SUMMARY
• After several voyages, Spain attempts to voyage once again in order to colonize the east and
expand the Spanish Empire. On September 15, 1559, King Philip II of Spain ordered Viceroy
of Mexico Luis de Velasco and Andres de Urdaneta to lead a Pacific Ocean expedition in
search of the Spice Islands, which had already been discovered by prior explorers. On Andres
de Urdaneta's recommendation, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was appointed commander in chief
of the expedition. The fleet that would carry the expeditionary troops was ready to set sail in
November 1564. Father Urdaneta piloted the fleet skillfully, while Legazpi did his task
efficiently and well. On the shores of Cibabao, Legazpi and his army arrived in the Philippines
in 1565.
• Francesco Gomez, one of Legazpi's men, was killed in Cibabao by some natives after making
a blood compact with them. As they were Spaniards, the natives refused to greet Legazpi and
his men on their voyages to Tandaya Island, Mancagua, and Camiguinin. Legazpi and his
troops landed in Bohol and made friends with two chiefs, Cicatuna and Cigala. According to
Cicatuna and Cigala, the port of Cebu offered excellent anchorage, thus Legaspi chose to sail
the fleet to Cebu, and arrived there on April 27, 1565. The ruler of the town, Rajah Tupas, and
the locals had no intention of making friends with the Spaniards, so they challenged them, but
were defeated. Men of Legazpi discovered a picture of the child Jesus in one of the locals'
homes, and the soldier bowed humbly before it. Legazpi asked the Empire of Spain to send
more troops to the Philippines and Legazpi eventually established a colony.
 WHAT TYPE OF SOURCE?
• This chapter was written using two sources. The first is Nicolas
Zafra's book, followed by Legazpi's letter. Zafra's book, Reading in
Philippine History, is a published written secondary source in
which Zafra used primary sources to tell, describe, and explain
specific events. The written primary source on this topic is the
Letter of Legazpi which Legazpi wrote personally from Cebu to
the King of Spain with an intention to report and inform the King of
the aforementioned expedition and colonization in the Far East.
The letter from Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was intended for the
King of Spain and was not meant for publication.
 ARE THERE CONTROVERSIES IN THIS TOPIC?

• We were unable to find a controversy directly linked

to Legazpi's Expedition after doing thorough
reading.
 RELEVANCE OF THE TOPIC TO PHILIPPINE HISTORY

• From 1565 until his death, Legazpi was the first governor
of the Philippines. In 1568 and 1571, Legazpi defeated
two Portuguese invasions and easily overcame the
Filipinos' poorly armed insurgency. Legazpi founded
Manila in 1571, which became the new Spanish colony's
capital and Spain's main commercial port in East Asia.
 RELEVANCE OF THE TOPIC TO THE NEW FILIPINO
GENERATION
• Many traditions arose from the Legazpi expedition, which the New
Filipino Generation continues to practice and enjoy. This includes
Manila Day, which falls on June 24th each year and is a regional
holiday in Manila. In addition, the expansion of Catholicism, which
was one of Legazpi's primary goals, resulted in many festivals that
Filipinos enjoy, such as the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City to honor
the Child Jesus, which is also mentioned in Legazpi's letter as a
place where they discovered an image of the Child Jesus.
END