GUIUAN, Eastern Samar – To mark the quincentennial anniversary of the Magellan-Elcano expedition’s landing on the shores of Homonhon Island, another ceremonial marker was unveiled Wednesday, March 17, in Brgy. Pagbabangnan in Homonhon.
The chancellor of the Diocese of Borongan, Fr. Neil Tenefrancia called on the Filipinos to emulate their ancestors from the nearby Suluan Island who displayed noble virtues, courageous mercy, and concrete humanity when they cared for the sick and weary men of Ferdinand Magellan’s crew and provided for their immediate needs.
“This is a concrete lesson to us at this time when we, Filipinos, are gravely divided and disturbed by various forces—- pandemic, partisan politics, economic inequalities, social and personal sins or corruptions, the “humanity and noble virtues displayed in Homonhon” naturally practiced by our forefathers point out to us the key to authentic co-existence and true human freedom,” said Fr. Tenefrancia who led the early commemoration mass in the site.
Magellan and his men found refuge in Homonhon (Humunu) from March 17 to March 25, 1521, where they had a friendly encounter with nine men from the nearby Suluan Island.
There, they also found two springs with the clearest of water and called it aanAcquada da li buoni Segnialli (The Watering-place of Good Signs).
“May the skill and daring of Magellan inspire us to develop our God-given natural gifts and to outgrow our auto-pilot zones. May the courageous hospitality of the early Suluanons move us to be heroic in our mercy and compassion. And may the ancient faith— the Catholic Faith that the first explorers brought with them continue to provide us with the inexhaustible source of orientation, strength, creativity, and enthusiasm in the daily events of our lives,” he added.
Bishop Crispin Varquez of the Diocese of Borongan also led the Grand thanksgiving mass and opening of the “Jubilee Door” at the island’s St. John the Baptist Parish church in Brgy. Casuguran at 9 a.m.
The Spanish Navy Training Ship Juan Sebastian Elcano, tracing the route of the first circumnavigation of the world in 1521 since October 2020, likewise visited the island and will be heading to Manicani Island before it leaves for Cebu.
Earlier this week, at least 500 volunteer-residents of Homonhon Island planted native trees in Barangay Pagbabangnan for the "500 Trees for 500 Years" to commemorate the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines.
The activity was also participated by the Polish Ambassador Karoslaw Szczepankiewics.