Magellan’s Cross. The beginnings of the modern Philippines
We have already shared with you some info about the beginnings of the modern Philippines. If you missed them out – check out our posts about the Sinulog Festival and Fort San Pedro. The history of the Philippines cannot be told without one object – the Magellan’s Cross. In fact, it is one of the most sacred items in Cebu, if not in the Philippines. It attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists yearly. But what exactly is Magellan’s Cross and how did it influence the beginning of what we now call the Philippines?
Arrival of Christianity
In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer, set out on a mission from Spain. He had a fleet of five ships to discover a western sea route to the Spice Islands (now part of Indonesia, known as the Moluccas islands). When he and his crews landed on Cebu island on 15th March 1521, he met and befriended the local chief Rajah Humabon. The Rajah, his wife, and hundreds of his native warriors later consented to be baptized by the chaplain of the Spanish fleet. Magellan also gave the Queen of Cebu, Humabon’s wife, an image of the Sto. Niño, a small statue of child Jesus as a baptismal gift. Every January, a big feast is celebrated in Cebu in honor of the Sto. Niño called the Sinulog.
Celebrating the spread of Christianity
On 14th April 1521, Magellan planted a cross to mark the arrival of Christianity in the island. The cross was erected to manifest the intention that faith should be spread in the island. How do we know it? Antonio Pigafetta, who was on the crew with Magellan, was writing a diary during the whole cruise. He was among 18 people who came back alive to Spain on 6th September 1522 after sailing around the globe.
Whether the original cross of Magellan survived or not remains a subject of debate among historians. A logical conclusion suggests that the Magellan’s cross must have been destroyed long ago even. Indeed, rumors point to the cross being either destroyed or stolen away. However, what is certain is that there was another cross which was put in the same exact spot where Magellan erected his own in April 1521. This cross was then venerated as miraculous as it survived the conflagration that happened in 1566. The cross was not originally known as “Magellan’s Cross”. It has been traditionally referred to by older generations in Cebu as the “Cross of the Spaniards”. Or simply called “Santa Cruz” – “The Holy Cross”.
Enclosing the Cross with a pavilion
The cross is said to be encased in another wooden cross for protection. It is because people began chipping it away in the belief that it had miraculous healing powers. The government officials resorted to encasing the cross in tindalo wood. What we can see today – octagonal gazebo where the Cross is placed – was built in 1834. It was sponsored and ordered by the Augustinian Bishop of Cebu – Santos Gomez Marañon.
The construction is made of coral stone and covered with a red-tiled tegula roof. The paintings visible on the ceiling were added in the 60′ of the last century when the gazebo underwent renovation. Some of these murals that we can admire today depict the baptism of Rajah Humabon as well as the planting of a wooden cross by Ferdinand Magellan. It was also then when the wood gates were replaced with iron work. On 14th April 2021 the Magellan’s Cross, the Pavilion where it is planted and Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu Church were put together on the National Cultural Treasures (NCTs) list.
Magellan’s Cross – where can you see it?
The Magellan’s Cross is located in Cebu City downtown, in front of the City Hall. It is close to all historical places… Colon street (more on it soon!), Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu Church and Fort San Pedro. If you need an address it’s… surprise, surprise… Magellan’s street! How to get there depends where you are. But considering that most of you would go from the Port, it’s just 700 m away, so we advise you to take a walk.
Author: Mary Kristine Fariolen (USC alumni)