New Magellan marker to rise in historic Homonhon

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, March 7  -- A new marker will soon rise at the Magellan landing site in Homonhon Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar, replacing the old one destroyed by years of typhoons.

Guiuan Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzalez said the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will lead the installation of the new marker in the historic island.

“Hopefully, the unveiling of the marker will push through in time for the commemoration of Magellan’s landing,” Gonzalez told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Tuesday.

This March 16, Guiuan will be celebrating the 497th year of the Philippines’ discovery by the galleon ships led by Ferdinand Magellan under the Spanish flag.

The installation of the new marker is in response to Homonhon Environment Rescuers Organization president Billy Abueme’s letter to NHCP in April 2014, asking the commission to recognize Homonhon as a historical site and informing them that the old marker in Pagbabangnan village had been badly damaged through the years.

The NHCP in November 2014 responded to the letter and informed Gonzalez about the project.

Magellan and his 270 crew and fleet of five ships (Trinidad, San Antonio, Conception, Victoria, and Santiago) set out from Spain in 1519, sailing westward to reach the Spice Island or Moluccas in Indonesia.  (RTA/PNA)