Cebu History

History Day in the South Pacific

1. Magellan came to the Philippine Islands twice. The first time he brought a statue of the baby Jesus as a gift. The Feast of Santa Nino is still celebrated.
2. The second time Magellan arrived on the coast, the natives got suspicious and killed him in the harbor. I feel like this is a political lesson that is important to heed.
3. The islands are full of unique flora and fauna.
4. Animal dwarfism is common on islands due to limited resources. Smaller bodies have better adaptability to compete for survival.
5. However, the whale shark, the biggest fish in the world dwells in the island waters. I am going to swim with one this weekend.
6. Many shipwrecks have occurred near the Philippian Islands. I don’t think it is because of whale sharks though, probably storms.
7. The wrecks have left pottery from many centuries and many lands. It was intricate and fascinating for me to see the glazes and forms. I had so many questions. I don’t really know when the pottery wheel came into being. How do I not know that?
8. There was also pottery fragments from burial grounds. Some of it was a shade of yellow like a butternut squash. I would love to get my hands on some of it.
9. After the museum, I went to a nail salon where my brother is well known. I showed the girls a baby picture of him with cake all over his face. Once a big sister, always a big sister.
10. Today I am taking a boat to see the smallest monkey in the world.