History repeats itself in Cebu
A Spanish fleet arrives at the Cebu International Port in commemoration of the Philippine leg of the first circumnavigation 500 years ago
CEBU CITY—History repeated itself when another Spanish ship arrived in Cebu on March 20, 2021. Spanish navy training ship Juan Sebastian Elcano docked off the Cebu
International Port (CIP) as part of the quincentennial anniversary of the first circumnavigation of the world.
It was only in Cebu that the ship docked since it arrived in the Philippines on March 16, 2021.
On March 18, the ship dropped anchor in Suluan Island in Guiuan town, Eastern Samar where the unveiling of the Suluan Quincentennial Marker was conducted. The historical marker is among the 34 quincentennial markers put up in the country.
The arrival of the Spanish ship at CIP commemorated the arrival in Cebu of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan some 500 years ago.
“If we look back, (Ferdinand) Magellan arrived in Cebu on April 7, 1521. A few days from now, we will be celebrating the 500th year of Magellan’s arrival in Cebu. So this visit has a huge significance, historically and culturally,” Bryner Diaz, administrative officer of the city’s Cultural and Historical Affairs, said in an interview shortly after the arrival of the ship.
When the Spanish fleet led by Magellan arrived in Cebu in 1521. Magellan was met by native chief Rajah Humabon.
It was believed that the Catholic faith blossomed upon the arrival in behalf of Spain of the Portuguese explorer, who gifted Rajah Humabon’s wife and Queen of Cebu, Humamay, with an image of Santo Niño.
Magellan also planted a wooden cross during his arrival. The cross, Magellan’s Cross, has since become an iconic and historical symbol in the city. While the ship was docked at CIP in the March 20 event, its crew were not allowed to disembark as part of the COVID-19 protocols.
Warm welcome greeted the Spanish visitors, who were treated to a cultural presentation by Sinulog Festival dancers from the multi-titled Tribu Lumad Basakanon Dance Troupe.
Addressing the crowd from the ship, Captain Santiago de Colsa thanked the Filipinos for the warm welcome given to them in their historic voyage. “The visit enhances the ties between the
Philippines and Spain,” he said.
The ship stayed at CIP from March 20 to 22. Government officials led by Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan were present for the arrival honors. Also there were Hon. Amaya Fuentes Milani, deputy head of the Mission Embassy of Spain in Manila, and Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan, commander of the Armed Forces of the PhilippinesCentral Command.
In his speech, Gerard Gonzales, Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas undersecretary, explained the significance of the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines. “A lot of people are still confused why are we commemorating the coming of the Spaniards of the Philippines?” he said. “Is the Magellan-Elcano expedition our history? The National Quincentennial Committee had already settled this issue during its first meeting in June 2018. The committee assures the Filipino people that we will not celebrate the discovery of the Philippines. We will commemorate the quincentennial the Filipino way, which means we will raise the awareness of our countrymen about the rich yet challenging pre-Hispanic or precolonial history.”
From Cebu, the Spanish ship sailed for Mindanao on its way out of the Philippines to continue its voyage tracing the route of the world’s first circumnavigation.