Philippine Independence Centenary

#2538, 3 Jun 1998

Overprint for the 25th Anniversary of the IPPS

#2629b, 24 Sept 1999

The Urdaneta-Legaspi Monument depicts Legaspi (left) holding a sword (which is now gone) and Urdaneta (right) holding a cross

Andres de Urdaneta was an explorer and Augustinian Friar and was part of the Legaspi exhibition in 1564. Urdaneta discovered a return route to Mexico which became known as the "Urdaneta Route".

ANDRES DE URDANETA

Urdaneta went to sea at a young age. In 1528 he achieved the second world circumnavigation. However, wearied by his many adventures he joined the Augustin order and became a Friar.

Later in his life, Philip II of Spain asked him to guide an expedition from Mexico to the Philippines and to find a return route. Urdaneta agreed to be part of the Legaspi expedition in 1564. In April 1565 Urdaneta reached the Philippine island of Cebu. Together with Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, he built the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino in Cebu and was responsible for the Christianization of the Province.

Urdaneta tasked with finding a better return route to Mexico set sail. By sailing at high latitudes, around 42°N, he took advantage of favourable winds and avoided typhoons He reached the port of Acapulco after 130days. Urdanetta was known as the discoverer of this route, which was used by Manila galleons for the next 250 years and brought Asian culture to Europe through Mexico

30 November 1498

to 3 June 1568