Magellan Was A staunch Christian Evangelist

Magellan went to tremendous lengths to baptize every native population he came across in Christianity, even though it was never a formal part of his mission. The most eminent instance was in the Philippines in April 1521 when he baptized King Humabon of Cebu together with thousands of his subjects. This Draconian order ultimately led to Magellan's demise because his religious zeal was so intense that he threatened to kill chieftains who refused to accept Christianity. Magellan's soldiers burnt the town of Lapu-Lapu on the island of Mactan after the ruler refused to accept Christianity.

Later, Magellan returned to Mactan with 49 soldiers and commanded Lapu-Lapu to submit to his rule. Magellan was murdered in the next combat after being speared, then repeatedly stabbed by the islanders' cutlasses and scimitars, because the king had refused. Every April 27, the Battle of Mactan is reenacted in the Philippines, where Magellan is remembered as a despot rather than a hero. Lapu-Lapu is portrayed by a well-known Filipino actor.