Landing of the First Filipinos - October 18, 1587

Landing of the First Filipinos - October 18, 1587. Morro Bay - Coleman Park. , "The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade Route" , By Anna L. Pearman, M.A., More than four and a half centuries ago (1571-1815), the bustling Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade Route between Manila, Philippines (then a Spanish colony) and Acapulco, New Spain (now Mexico) connected Asia and the Americas. , Over 6,000 miles long, the round-trip journey or tomaviaje across the Pacific Ocean took from six to nine months as ships followed two separate belts of trade winds across the Pacific. Seaworthy Spanish ships called galleons were specially designed for these long treacherous voyages. Built in the Philippines from locally harvested hardwoods and weighing 500-1,200 tons, these high-profile mighty ships were fitted with the latest armaments their interiors could easily be adapted to accommodate both passengers and tons of cargo., Transpacific treasure galleons transported high-end Asian goods such as Chinese gunpowder, porcelain, and silk; Japanese lacquerware; Persian carpets; precious jewels; and exotic spices from Manila to Acapulco. From Acapulco goods moved eastward overland to Veracruz, a port on the Gulf of Mexico, by sea to La Habana (Cuba) and onward to Seville. Having delivered their eastern cargo to Acapulco, the Manila galleons made their way homeward, crossing the Pacific with vast amounts of silver to be exchanged for a new load of goods, other metals, and tobacco., One galleon has special significance for Morro Bay: After three months at sea the crippled Acapulco-bound Nuestra Senora de Buena Esperanza commanded by Captain Pedro de Unamuno and piloted by Alonso Gomez made an unscheduled stop October 18, 1587, on present-day California's central coast in search of materials to repair her damaged masts and dwindling provisions. After dropping anchor offshore, two landing parties - among them Luzones Indios (native Filipino scouts) -- rowed ashore, claimed the territory for Spain. This memorable event marks the first recorded presence of Filipinos in North America. The explorers made contact with the local Chumash people who resisted them; skirmishes erupted resulting in the deaths of two crew members: one Spanish soldier and one Luzone Indio. Having been unsuccessful at establishing peaceful relations with the dis-interested native Americans, Captain de Unamuno and crew departed for Acapulco three days later.