28 March, 1521

Today in Philippine History:

Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese navigator and explorer, in the service of the Spanish crown, reaches Limasawa Island, a five square mile island at the southern tip of Leyte mainland. Upon arrival, a boat filled with natives approached the Spanish vessels.

Communication was established through Magellan’s slave named Enrique of Sumatra who tried to speak with the natives through the Malay language. This was the start of the friendship between Magellan and the native’s leader, Rajah Kolambu.

(Ref: Philippines timeline.com; Leyte: wikipilipinas; Photo: “The first baptism in the Philippines” by Fernando Amorsolo)