BRP Apolinario Mabini to set sail on Tuesday to mark 500th anniversary of Magellan voyage

The Philippine Navy will send Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Apolinario Mabini to sea to meet with the Spanish Navy's Buque Escuela de la Armada Española Juan Sebastián Elcano on Tuesday to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the role of the Philippines in the first circumnavigation of the world.

According to the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC), the two navy ships will join the Philippine government in marking the start of the 2021 Quincentennial Commemoration in the Philippines in Suluan Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

The commemoration is in connection with the 500th anniversary of the role of the Philippines in Ferdinand Magellan's circumnavigation of the world, with the Portugese explorer reaching the Philippines on March 16, 1521.

“A significant part of this first circumnavigation of the world happened in our territory. Some of these events that occurred during this part of the expedition in the Philippines, underscored the compassion of our ancestors toward the starving and undernourished crew of Magellan on meeting them in Homonhon; the blood compact between the expedition's captain-general Ferdinand Magellan and Rajah Colambu, as well as the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection in Limasawa, Southern Leyte; the Christian baptism in Cebu; and the Battle of Mactan,” the NQC said.

Magellan met his fate at the Battle of Mactan, where he was killed by Lapu-Lapu and his men on April 27, 1521.

Magellan's arrival led to Spain's centuries-long colonization of the Philippines and the introduction of Christianity to the islands. 

In February 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte augmented the committee supervising the activities for the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines. Under Executive Order 103, Duterte tasked Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to head the NQC.

The NQC said 34 historical markers commemorating the voyage will be unveiled in the celebration. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News