The House Committee on Basic Education and Culture has approved a resolution seeking to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Philippines’ part in the first circumnavigation of the world on the island of Homonhon on March 17, 1521.
House Resolution No. 1403, principally authored by Eastern Samar Rep. Maria Fe Abunda, gained the nod of the House panel, chaired by Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo.
House Deputy Speaker Sorsogon Rep. Evelina Escudero moved for the approval of Abunda’s resolution.
Abunda noted that the first circumnavigation of the world in Homonhon Island 500 years ago is "the beginning of one of the most important historical events in the life of the Philippines.”
“Five hundred years ago, the Portuguese explorer landed in the Philippine archipelago, which proved to be the start of centuries of Spanish colonization of the Philippines and formed an integral role in the expansion of Philippine culture and tradition,” she said.
Under the resolution, Abunda said during the first circumnavigation of the globe, Ferdinand Magellan and his fleet of ships sighted the island of Homonhon on March 16, 1521.
It was the first major landmass that Magellan and his crew sighted since leaving South America, she noted.
“After the sighting, the fleet sailed south along the coast of what is now the province of Eastern Samar. The following day, the expedition sailed along the southernmost point of what is now Guiuan. They made their return to Homonhon and landed on March 17, 1521, marking the first landing made by European on what later became Philippine soil. The crew replenished their supplies and made camp on the island,” the Abunda said in the resolution.
Citing accounts, Abunda said on March 18, 1521, a boat from Suluan met the crew to provide food and other provisions and in exchange, Magellan and his crew gifted clothes and other items from Europe.
“This was the first recorded interaction between our ancestors and the crew. Four days later on March 22, 1521, the people of Suluan returned with more food and provisions. As a result, the crew of Magellan were able to recover and were well-rested. The next day, they set sail in search of the Moluccas Islands.”