Cebu welcomes Spanish ship Elcano on 500th year of 1st circumnavigation

Cebu City welcomed on Saturday the arrival of the Spanish Navy training ship Juan Sebastian Elcano, during a port call that was part of the 500th anniversary of the first circumnavigation of the world, and the beginning of the Christianization of the Philippines.

San Sebastian Elcano arrival in Cebu. Screengrab from Cebu City government information office Facebook

City Mayor Edgar Labella led the welcome ceremony at the Cebu Port where Elcano was docked.

"Today, we relive history as it happened 500 years ago when Ferdinand Magellan set foot in Cebu which gave birth to our Christianity. May this remind us all of our deep-rooted faith to Senior Santo Niño, which remains strong up to this day. And which was made possible through the first circumnavigation of the world," Mayor Labella said in his welcome speech.

Screencap from RTVM video of Elcano arrival in Cebu

The Cebu City government led the historic event in cooperation with the National Quincentennial Committee, and the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines.

Screencap from RTVM video of Elcano arrival in Cebu

—LBG, GMA News