ON MARCH 16, 2021, the country will mark the quincentennial (500th anniversary) of the Philippine part of the first circumnavigation of the world.
At 11 a.m., the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHC) will unveil the first of the 34 historical markers highlighting the country's part in that achievement of humankind and science: the Suluan Quincentennial Marker in Suluan Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
It will coincide with the arrival of the Spanish Navy Training Ship Juan Sebastian Elcano, named after the captain of the 17 remaining crew out of original 245 members of the Armada de Maluco (a.k.a., Magellan-Elcano expedition) who completed the first circumnavigation of the world.
The said ship has been tracing the route of the first circumnavigation since 2019.
Owing to the pandemic, no physical contact will take place between the crew member and those in land. It is expected to anchor near Manicani Island, also under the jurisdiction of Guiuan, on the same date at 4 p.m.
There, the Philippine Navy is expected to accord the said ship with honors through its BRP Apolinario Mabini.
A fluvial parade organized by the Municipality of Guiuan will accompany the both navies.
Elcano will also join the Philippine and Spanish governments in the unveiling of the next historical marker at Homonhon Island, still part of Guiuan, 11 a.m. of March 17.
The public may still gaze at her from afar via Guiuan Transport Terminal from March 16-18. Minimum health protocols will be strictly implemented by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
She will leave for Cebu City on March 18. She is expected to pass by the Cebu-Cordoba Link Expressway on March 20 via Mactan Strait. No public event is taking place.
The Radio Television MalacaƱang-RTVM and the Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines) will cover the port calls of the Elcano beginning March 16 on the National Quincentennial Committee, Republic of the Philippines and various government Facebook pages.
Check the map of the Philippine itinerary of the first circumnavigation of the world at https://bit.ly/3dHrnKF. (PR)