Under the Octagon Pavilion: A Little Info About The Magellan's Cross
The Magellan’s Cross has been the image when someone talks about Cebu. It has become the face of Cebu’s rich history and culture, the mark of a Cebuano identity, and a landmark that no tourist can miss.
But before diving into the information about the Magellan’s Cross, let us turn back time, and return to the 16th century…
Back when Cebu’s port was bustling with merchants and locals, exchanging their goods for some items crafted from the far seas.
It was the reign of Rajah Humabon, and Cebu’s port was its powerhouse, bringing riches into the land. Because of this, on April 21, 1521, the fleet of Magellan arrived on its shores, not only to trade but to colonize and convert. Once the boats were permitted to anchor on the shores, Ferdinand Magellan and his men set foot on the island and planted a cross, signifying the beginning of Christianity in Cebu.
According to some, the original cross, planted by Magellan, was enclosed inside the displayed cross that sat right in the middle of the corralled pavilion. However, another theory emerged. Some believed the original cross was destroyed by the natives after Magellan was defeated; hence, they thought the one inside the exhibited cross was a different one and that of the Augustinian order delivered forty years later. And this was noted by Antonio de Herrera, who arrived together with Miguel de Legazpi’s fleet of 1565. He wrote about the cross of the Augustinians and how this cross was fully displayed outside their place. How this cross became or is believed to be “the” Magellan’s Cross is because when a fire broke out in the area where the Augustinians stayed, the cross was spared from the tragedy, and everyone celebrated such a miracle, prompting everyone to give reverence to the relic. Nevertheless, the cross was still venerated by devotees that even until now, prayers are still offered as the candle vendors dance and sing the intercessions of the people. Observing the cross, I noticed the marble platform that surrounded it. I then remember a story that was told to me about why the marble base was added around the cross. It was said that devotees would scratch the lower part of the cross to gain a piece, hoping for a miracle. Regarding intercessions and miracles, according to the website of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, those who piously pray at the Magellan’s Cross during the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross are granted a “plenary indulgence” or the remission of temporal punishment. Whether you greatly believe in miracles or not, the Magellan’s Cross has been one of the known sites in Cebu for prayers and intentions of the faithful, who wanted nothing more than graces from heaven to get by with life.
Inside the structure, specifically the ceiling, one cannot ignore the lovely painting. The said painting depicted the planting of Magellan’s Cross and the baptism of Rajah Humabon and his subjects under the Catholic faith. The artwork sums up the beginnings of Christianity on the island of Cebu.
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