Viaje del Galeón

By this time, we've certainly relearned our place in world history through the Galeón Andalucía (pronounced "And-a-loo-see-a" by most who live in south Spain and "And-a-loo-thii-a", or seemingly with a lisp, by most who live in central and northern Spain).

She arrived last October 13 at Pier 1 for berthing but was later moored at the back of the Malacañang sa Sugbu before sailing off to Bohol for a week-stay, as she retraces the route of the Galleon Trade from Europe to Latin America (specifically Mexico) across the Pacific Ocean, to the Philippines, passing by Manila, Cebu, Bohol and Samar.

Her arrival serves as a commemorative event that reminds the public of the im-portant role of the Galleon as a "link in the international trade and as a cultural highway" among people touched along its route.

Galleons played a lead role in economic and cultural relationships between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Be it known that Andalucia is the only actual replica of a Spanish galleon that has ever been built. This replica is equipped with two 350hp engines, a radar system, and other 21st century technologies to meet the agenda of touching significant ports in an at-tempt to circumnavigate the globe, but currently stalled to do so by the onset of winter in some regions of the world.

Some of her features, like the seven rectangular "velas" (sails) powered by winds coming from the back of the vessel, remind of the dogged determination of ancient sea-farers to introduce globalization even onboard a five-to-six-knot voyage. Yes, that's about 10 kilometers-per-hour journey only. Yet, because mariners of the olden days worked with a mission to create cultural highways, they had directed Andalucia to estab-lish a route which is a precursor to modern-day globalization. Take note that the "torna-viaje" or return voyage began here at our beloved Cebu, already an established trading post and commercial hub even in the 17th century.

Andalucia, made of iroko and oak wood, has an eslora (length) of 5500 m., a manga (beam) of 1010 m., a desplazamiento (weight) of 589 Tm, with total sail area of 930 square meters, cuatro palos (masts), and a "tripulacion" (crew) of approximately 40 pax led by Capitan Manuel Murube, expedition director, with historic ship-builder/designer Señor Seville Ignacio Fernandez Vial.

Despite our poignant colonial experiences with Spain, it was noted that the Viaje del Galeón seeks to all the more strengthen friendship, cooperation, and connection among continents and nations.

These significant roles of the Galleon makes it fitting to trace and celebrate its contributions to Philippine culture, history, economics and spirituality, as well as the de-velopments of various provinces, cities and towns in the country.

In a recent press conference initiated by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., which contributed culture and heritage capability to the activities of the Viaje del Galeón-Cebu leg, it was further learned that October 8 of every year is marked Dia del Galeón in honor of the day the San Pedro Galeón, directed by master navigator Fray Andres de Ur-daneta, reached Acapulco (Mexico) in 1565.

The country played a significant role in one of the most important trade routes in history and has thus taken to the task of organizing a monumental festival in tribute to the Galleon Trade. Also called the Manila-Acapulco Galleon, this trade route bridged Asia with Europe, the Americas, and Africa.

As historians place a premium on the Silk Road and the Amber Route, so do with the Galleon Trade Route.

The Galleon Trade has brought a wide variety of Mexican influence to the Philip-pines beginning with culinary culture such as with the use of the sampalok and achuete, and of course, the tsokolate de batirol. In Mexico, chocolate drink comes with cinnamon and chili. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, pure sugar and sometimes ground nuts and milk are added, bringing the Aztec drink to new heights.

Not only did the Galleon Trade open the Philippines to new cultures and ideas, the world was introduced to the Philippines. The ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata), a fra-grant flower sold in garlands till today in Manila, was brought to Europe via Mexico and is now the key ingredient in expensive French perfumes.

Moreover, the Barong Tagalog found its way to Mexico and Cuba and is now called Guayabera in those countries.

The 1st Dia del Galeón Festival is a UNESCO-approved fete with the theme "Connecting Continents" in accordance with the celebration of the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures in 2010.