Philippines celebrates arrival of Spanish training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano to commemorate Quincentennial Anniversary

500 years ago, this very date and place, the Spanish expedition commanded by Magallanes and Elcano, arrived in the Philippines to mark this historical event, the Spanish Navy training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano has arrived today to the shores of Samar.

To greet the arrival of the ship and commemorate the historical events that took place in 1521, the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, together with the National Quincentennial Committee is carrying out a full program of activities in and around the island of Samar between March 15 and 18. In this framework, four historical markers will be unveiled in different locations, following the initial route of the Magallanes-Elcano expedition.

Today March 16, a historical marker has been placed in Suluan. Tomorrow, March 17, another historical marker will be unveiled in Homonhon and on March 18 two more markers will be unveiled in Simbahan Ng Guiuan and Samar.

The text of the marker in Samar has been translated into Spanish, as proof of friendship between our two countries, and it will be unveiled by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Ambassador Jorge Moragas of Spain.

The first arrival of the Spanish expedition in 1521 was greeted by the inhabitants of the area, who provided them with food and drink, proving the solidarity and hospitality of the Filipino people. This was the starting point of close friendship and brotherhood between Spain and the Philippines, as we look forward to the future of many more to come.