ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, April 14, 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan serving the Spanish royalty erected a wooden cross on the shores of Cebu, where the Filipinos could see it.
Magellan, who was warmly received by the chieftain of Cebu, Rajah Humabon, and his wife Queen Juana, persuaded them to form an alliance with Spain, leave their pagan ways and be baptized as Christians.
Rajah Humabon was the first indigenous king of the Philippines to be converted to Christianity, after he, his wives and the people of Cebu were baptized by Magellan's priest.
Humabon was named Carlos in honor of King Carlos I of Spain, while his principal wife Hara Amihan was named Juana, after the king's mother. He also made a blood compact with Magellan, as a sign of friendship.
Notedly, the cross that Magellan planted signifies the establishment of Christianity in the Philippines.
Since 1834, the cross has been housed in a small chapel or kiosk shaped like a gazebo and made of adobe and red tiles. The kiosk is located beside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on Magallanes Street and in front of the Cebu City Hall building.
A plaque, placed just above the entrance of the kiosk in 1941, says that "From time immemorial this spot has been set aside to commemorate the erection of a cross in Cebu by the Expedition of Magellan".
Today, the Magellan's Cross is a popular tourist attraction in Cebu. It is also a symbol of Cebu City and the kiosk's image can be found in its official city seal.
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This day, April 14, 2021, marks the 500th anniversary of the aforementioned events.
"Awit ng Misyon" is the official mission theme song for the commemorations of 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. It was composed by Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo, with lyrics from Marcelo and Msgr. Hernando Coronel. The song also has versions in English as well as in other vernacular languages such as Cebuano and Kapampangan.
The Archdiocese of Manila released instructions that the song shall be used as a recessional for masses until the end of the commemorations in 2022.
READ: The Archdiocese of Manila's instructions regarding the song, along with sheet music: [ Ссылка ]
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SOURCES
Images:
"500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines Logo". Retrieved from [ Ссылка ]
“The First Baptism". [painting by Fernando Amorsolo] Retrieved from [ Ссылка ]
"Devotees raise their hands in prayers during a Mass on the eve of the feast of the Child Jesus at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center in downtown Cebu City on Jan. 19, 2019". [photo by Alren Jerome Beronio, Manila Bulletin, 2020]. Retrieved from [ Ссылка ]
“How the Philippines became Catholic”. Retrieved from [ Ссылка ]
"Devotees attend a mass in Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral in Iloilo City. Churchgoers observe physical distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019. In “NCR plus” churches are allowed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease to conduct a “once-a-day” religious gathering during Holy Week." [photo published in Panay News, 2020]. Retrieved from [ Ссылка ]
"In this file photo, Papal Nuncio Gabriele Giordano Caccia (third from left) and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma (right) unveil the official logo of the quincentennial of the arrival of the Holy Image of the Sto. Niño in Cebu at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño. The logo was designed by Ramesh Rosillo, a graphic artist based in Cebu. [photo by Amper Campaña, SunStar Cebu, 2020]. Retrieved from [ Ссылка ]
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