We have long been fascinated with global connections; threads that bring together countries, cultures and people. If the United States is the Melting Pot of the West, the Philippines is the Melting Pot of the East. China, Japan and India (through Malaysia and Indonesia) had trade and religious relations dating as far back as the 9th century. The influences of other nations can be seen in our pre-Hispanic hand-crafted gold-works. In 1521, the Philippines became more than just a regional trading destination and would enter the world’s consciousness with the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan; he would name the islands Islas de San Lazaro.
Ordizia is a small town nestled in the heart of the Basque Country and the region of Goierri. It is everything you would dream a Basque town to be: idyllic, agricultural, industrial and stunningly beautiful. While it numbers only 10,000 inhabitants today, its historical significance is undeniable. The local market is a point of pride; having been in operation since the 11th century. The town today is industrial in nature; one of the companies based there is CAF, one of the largest railway production firms in the world. Ordizia is famous for three products: lamb, Idiazabal cheese and Andres de Urdaneta; with his birth in 1508, the modern era of globalization arguably began.
When the Urdaneta-Legazpi expedition dropped anchor on April 27, 1565, they did not find a barren, empty land, but a thriving settlement with a rich 3,000 year history of trade with China and other countries. This was the perfect spot for a settlement. When Friar Andres de Urdaneta was presented with the Santo Niño de Cebu, an icon that had been left in 1521 and became an integral part of the native culture, he ordered the founding of what would become the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. Cebu City would grow up around the basilica and become the epicenter of the evangelization and colonization of the Philippines. From this island, would go forth missionaries spreading the Gospel in local dialects. It is the home of some of the most important historical artifacts in the country – Magellan’s Cross and the Santo Niño de Cebu.
Friar Andres de Urdaneta, born of Ordizia, was an explorer, adventurer, soldier, navigator and priest who changed the world. He discovered and mapped the tornaviaje, or the return trip from Acapulco to Manila; the basis of which would become the Manila Galleon trade. Because of Urdaneta, the world became a much smaller place, trade increased dramatically, culture exchange was encouraged, the face of the world shifted. Up to 1565, globalization was moving at a snail’s pace; afterwards it began moving at a breakneck pace that until today has not abated. These two relatively unconnected cities are irrevocably intertwined because of Urdaneta and his accomplishment. The era of globalization began with his birth and the world was ushered into it when he stepped foot on the island of Cebu.
2008 marks the 5th centenary of the birth of Friar Andres de Urdaneta. On June 23rd in Cebu City, the Year of Urdaneta, as proclaimed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, will be launched. The guest of honor will be Mayor Jose Miguel Santamaria Ezeiza of Ordizia. We find it significant that the mayor of Ordizia will kick-off the Philippine celebration in honor of an Ordizian son who put this country on the map and changed the course of human history, in the city that began it all.
