Spanish Navy Ship Arrives in Cebu

Spanish navy ship Juan Sebastian de Elcano makes port call in Cebu City today to commemorate the quincentennial anniversary or the 500th year since Christianity reached the Philippines.

Led by Captain Santiago de Colsa, the Juan Sebastian El Cano ship took the same route as Magellan did 500 years ago as how 500 years ago, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan sailed-off to organize an expedition to circumnavigate the globe.

Meanwhile, Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) Undersecretary Anthony Gerard “Jonji” Gonzales said this remarkable event is not a sign of conquest and other similar events, but rather it is a celebration of the discovery of the Philippines.

Gonzales admitted that a lot of people still question why we are celebrating the Spaniards’ arrival in the Philippines. Gonzales however, said that this commemoration recognizes the the culture of every Filipino from the past and the present.

Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella and Vice Mayor Michael Rama were also present at the event as welcoming committee to the Spanish ship.

Labella said that this is a very iconic event since Cebu is the first settlement of the Spaniards in the country.

Meanwhile, Captain de Colsa was very thankful for the warm greetings from the Cebuanos. This event will definitely strengthen the diplomatic relationship of the Philippines and Spain, de Colsa added.

The Spanish navy gave the Cebu City government a book that contains all the details about the Magellan-Elcano arrival in Cebu. A medal was also handed over the the Cebu City government.

In return, the city government gave the Spanish crew a miniature model of Magellan’s cross and other memorabilia. (MLC)