Location: Homonhon, Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Category: Sites/Events
Type: Site
Status: Level II – Historical marker
Marker date: 1952
Installed by: Philippines Historical Committee (PHC)
Marker text:
HOMONHON
ON THIS ISLAND FERDINAND MAGELLAN’S EXPEDITION TO THE SPICE ISLANDS LANDED, 17 MARCH 1521, THE DAY OF SAINT LAZARUS WHOSE NAME WAS GIVEN TO THE WHOLE ARCHIPELAGO. NEARBY ISLANDERS CAME THE NEXT DAY TO MEET THE VISITORS WITH MAGELLAN’S SERVANT ENRIQUE FROM MALACCA AS INTERPRETER. THE GREAT NAVIGATOR EXTENDED TO THEM THE MESSAGE OF GOODWILL FROM THE KING OF SPAIN, WHICH WAS RECIPROCATED. A FEAST WAS HELD AND GIFTS EXCHANGED. EIGHT DAYS LATER, ON MARCH 25, THE CREW SAILED TO LIMASAWA, WHERE THE FIRST MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES WAS HELD, 31 MARCH 1521.
