The Iconic Spanish Galleon "Andalucia"

"The whole world knows about the Silk Route, the Amber Road, but what about the Galleon Trade? For more than 250 years, the Philippines was the center of the world, with Asian, European and Latin American goods being traded on its very soil."

The Philippines is one of the hosts of the first international "Dia del Galeon Festival" which aims to "assess the impact of galleon trade as a vessel of cultural transmission across the continents of Asia, Americas, Africa and Europe in terms of food, agriculture, arts, customs, knowledge and world views." Influence of Spaniards in our country have made us Filipinos to appreciate champorado (chocolate rice porridge) and learn to drink the sap of coconut which they also called tuba (the same term used in the Philippines). This is not mere coincidence, but is among the many things that Galleon Trade brought to us. 

A galleon named "Andalucia" is said to be the first vessel to have successfully gone around the world. Two hundred and fifty years later, a 17th century of the replica sets sail to the Philippines to highlight the country's role in global trade and cultural exchange. The new ship, built by the Fundacion Nao Victoria in Spain, will be docked at Pier 1 at the back of Malacanang de Cebu from October 13-18 before they will be heading back to Spain. This once in a lifetime opportunity to be on board of a ship that is full of history give us all an overwhelming feeling. Despite, the scorching heat of the broad daylight October 17  me and my friends still have high spirit hoping to be on the ship.

  The holding area for viewers were over crowded that day and we had to endure a long line of spectators before we've got our chance to be on board and we are really happy and as for me as history enthusiast I can't contain  my feeling that time, I love history, the history of my own country and different histories that evolved this world I love them all.

 Malacanang de Cebu

On our way to the galleon.

Inside the galleon, everything is a replica from the 17th century, from the furniture to everything else. Everything was studied and they even tried to copy the commands (used by the ship's control) from documents.So that when people get to see the replica they will feel how people sailing in the galleon lived in the ship.

 Kitchen area and Dining Area

 Room

 Cannon

 Bedrooms lobby

 Going down to control room

 Big ropes are everywhere.

 An old chest

Through this event we can relive history and we, Filipinos will be able to take pride in our heritage and creativity as well as advancement of the welfare of the Filipino seafarers. Our history shape us all on what we are and have today so, we can never neglect nor put these behind us.

Spaniard crews of Andalucia.

Different plaques galeon Andalucia received.

Before going home we took last shots of the grandiose and history-packed ship. We want to come back to these past centuries to remind ourselves of our rich history. And may our history will reign in our hearts and souls forever. Viva!