Ferdinand Magellan and the Battle of Mactan

The History Guy reveals the fate of Ferdinand Magellan and the forgotten history of the 1521 Battle of Mactan. It is history that deserves to be remembered.

The History Guy uses images that are in the Public Domain. As photographs of actual events are often not available, I will sometimes use photographs of similar events or objects for illustration.

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The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered (formerly "Five Minutes of History") is the place to find short snippets of forgotten history from five to fifteen minutes long. If you like history too, this is the channel for you.

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The episode is intended for educational purposes. All events are presented in historical context.

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[Tom-ysik]

Excellent presentation, I am an American who has lived in the Philippines, near Cebu and would like to add a few things. Legend has it that Lapu Lapu was killed by a rival to his cheiftanship, other Filipino scholars say it was an assassin sent by Humabon. Also, the shoulder patch of the Philippine National Police Proudly depicts Lapu Lapu with sword and shield, because he is the First enforcer of Philippine Law. All Respect to the Philippines and Lapu Lapu the warrior!

[ValkyrieMagnus]

Magellan was one of my favorite historical figures in my youth. The history book I read said he died in Mactan but didn’t say it was the Philippines. I went on a trip to the Philippines and found out the other side of history which I never knew about and your episode gave me more info and another view of this. Great video and I eagerly wait for new historical videos!

[JBLuv]

It's really cool to hear a well-balanced presentation of Filipino history from a non-Filipino. Bravo!

[wizardgaming]

I have been to the Lapu Lapu shrine in Mactan island. The Philippines is the most beautiful country I've ever been to.

[VitorMadeira]

I'm Portuguese and I loved this video in particular and I totally support the idea that some of your final thoughts in the end of this video should be taught to children in history classes here in Portugal.
Thank you!

[thatairplaneguy]

I’ve learned and retained more from your great videos than I ever did any any middle, high school or college history class.
Short, To the point. Hitting all the important details and done so in such a way that your telling a story instead of just doing a data dump full of obscure dates and facts about things that instantly become uninteresting when done in such a way as too many teachers and professors do.

Thank you, History Guy.

[KAYEsclsed]

For someone who loves Philippine History, Im actually surprised that i got something new about a basic history lesson from the History Guy. Im impressed.

[riodepalma]

Magellan's hubris killed him. I grew up in the Philippines and I would like to add some few details. You can check the veracity. This account was based on Pigafetta, the priest and chronicler of the voyage of which I learned as a student in the Philippines. First, he attacked at low tide. The Spanish fleet was too far away from the beach. Then they were wearing metal armor that's too heavy and hot. Their weapon did not work well because it got wet. And according to our oral history, Datu Lapu- lapu created the famous U shaped formation where the best fighters hiding on both sides and the old, men and women at the center of the U. The purpose is to trick the Spaniards to attack the middle and the best of Lapu- lapu fighters flanked the enemy on both sides. Then the rest was history the west did not know well.
On a side note let me add, the Spaniards left an image of baby Jesus to Rajah Humabon because they converted to Christianity. About 40 years later, the Spaniards came back and they noticed that the Humabon's people were gone and in hiding in the mountains. They were persecuted because of there new faith. When they saw them they found the image of baby Jesus blacken and burnt in an altar still worshipped by the new found Christians. That image still exists today and enshrined in the Basilica of Cebu.

[ebbeollman]

I had a wonderful history teatcher in high school. Now I have found you. Don't ever stop!

[nunyabizness]

Now if only Magellan brought a karaoke machine he would have survived

[JamesWHurst]

Thank you for creating these, Mister History Guy. Your videos are fascinating, well-made and you present extremely well. I deeply appreciate this.

[r.a.monigold]

EACH TIME I watch I think, "...just this one, but no clicks or comments - quickly on to other stuff." Doesn't happen like that. Your channel has a wonderful way of diverting my attention to things more meaningful than click-n-go.
Thank you for sharing...

[theorangevestarmy]

I truly admire the spirit of Magellan & his crew, what a tremendous voyage, on the other hand I respect a Man that refuses to bend to foreign rule, all the while defending his culture.

[badlongon]

Love your commentary. This is the history that we know from childhood. I am cebuano and majority of the people here claim to have descended from Lapu-Lapu, although this may not be certainly the case, but we feel a special bond to our first hero, everybody here is proud of our ancestor. He was the first native who have killed a very giant figure, namely, Ferdinand Magellan. And this fact will be a blot in the history of Western Exploration and Conquest for the rest of our history.

[glenkaiser]

I'm an American now living in Cebu, Philippines. I've seen the site on Mactan Is. where they have a monument to Lapu-Lapu. They also have a site on the main Island called Magellan's Cross where there is a cross given by him to the king that was his ally.

[candyflair]

I have never bern into history. Never. You make it very interesting. I'm not sure anyone could get my attention. Keep up the great work thank you for the best history info I have experienced.

[charliemock]

The highest praise I can offer...Your storytelling ability is on par with that of Morgan Freeman and Garrison Keillor. I have been a history geek since my youth but never pursued a formal degree in it. Inspired by your work, I will be enrolling next fall to complete a History Degree at The University of Maine. Thanks for doing what you do!

[karenangelaguianan]

Native Filipinos at that time were not stupid to modern arms you guys need to know that before Spain arrived in the islands the natives already trading goods with the Chinese who invented gun powder.

[Smokecall]

I knew about Magellan's death but did not know about the local's interactions that lead to said death. Thank you for retelling the events that lead up to said perishing

[Semides]

As a Filipino, this video is quite informative. It is refreshing to hear such a big part of my country's history from a western perspective. Magellan was a great man. As you mentioned, his navigational skills helped shape and connect the world. Lapu-lapu was a great man as well. It is true that he fought for his land and his culture, but what he is more remembered for in the Philippines is that he is the first of many freedom fighters.