The Legacy of Antonio Pigafetta's Chronicles in the Philippines

Introduction

• Much of the knowledge about pre-colonial Philippines comes from the chronicles of Antonio Pigafetta.
• Pigafetta, an Italian, was among the first Westerners to reach the Philippine Islands.
• His accounts are a primary source for understanding the Philippines before colonization.

Pigafetta's Background

• Antonio Pigafetta was part of Ferdinand Magellan's expedition.
• The expedition aimed to find a route to the Spice Islands, leading to the "discovery" of the Philippines on March 21, 1521.
• Pigafetta served as the geographer for the expedition, documenting locations and events.

Importance of Pigafetta's Manuscripts

• His manuscripts provide the first Western descriptions of the Philippine Islands and its people.
• They include ancient Visayan words and descriptions of pre-colonial Filipino food and attire.
• Notable events include the first Easter Mass in the Philippines and the death of Magellan by Lapu-Lapu's men.

Acquisition of Manuscripts

• The Philippines now has digital copies of the four Pigafetta manuscripts.
• National historian Rene Escalante played a key role in acquiring these documents.
• The process involved negotiating with libraries in the USA, Italy, and France.
• The cost to digitize these manuscripts was about 125,000 pesos.

Significance for Filipino Historians

• Budding Filipino historians now have free access to these documents at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) library.
• Access to primary sources is crucial for credible historical research.
• The initiative supports the mandate to promote the study of history by making primary sources available.

Conclusion

• The acquisition of Pigafetta’s manuscripts is significant for understanding pre-colonial Philippines.
• It allows Filipinos to delve deeper into their historical roots and enriches the study of Filipino history.
• The journey to rediscover ancient Filipino heritage continues.