Dr. Joyce E. Chaplin, a renowned historian at Harvard University, discusses the incredible story of Enrique de Malacca in her work.
Dr. Chaplin is the author of the book "Round About the Earth: Circumnavigation from Magellan to Orbit" (2012). She did not write it with Enrique, but rather dedicated parts of the book to him and the Soviet space dog, Laika—two figures she describes as "reluctant" circumnavigators who were often overlooked by traditional history.
Who was Enrique de Malacca?
Enrique (also known as Panglima Awang in Malay literature) was an enslaved Malay man acquired by Ferdinand Magellan in 1511 during the conquest of Malacca.
- The Journey: Magellan took Enrique from Malacca to Portugal, then to Spain, and finally across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans as an interpreter.
- The Achievement: When the expedition reached the Philippines in 1521, Enrique discovered he could speak the local language. This meant he had effectively completed a "linguistic circumnavigation"—he had traveled so far in one direction that he returned to a region where his mother tongue was understood.
- The "First" Title: Because Magellan died in the Philippines, many historians, including Dr. Chaplin, argue that Enrique has a stronger claim to being the first person to actually circle the globe than the European explorers who finished the voyage later.
In her book, Dr. Chaplin provides a sweeping 500-year history of how humans have encircled the planet.
| Era | Focus | Notable Figures |
| The Age of Sail | Survival and Imperialism | Enrique de Malacca, Magellan, Francis Drake |
| The Age of Steam | Speed and Tourism | Thomas Cook, Nellie Bly |
| The Age of Orbit | Science and Geopolitics | Yuri Gagarin, Laika the Space Dog |
Dr. Chaplin's work is celebrated for shifting the narrative away from just "great explorers" to include the diverse and often forced participants who truly enabled these global connections.
Enrique de Malacca is remembered as a bridge of shared heritage between Malaysia and the Philippines, though each country interprets his identity through its own national lens.
In Malaysia: The Hero "Panglima Awang"
In Malaysia, Enrique is widely celebrated as Panglima Awang, a name popularized by the 1958 historical novel Panglima Awang by Harun Aminurrashid.
- National Identity: He is viewed as a "Malay warrior" and a source of national pride. He is often depicted as a former high-ranking officer of the Malacca Sultanate who was captured by the Portuguese in 1511.
- Monuments and Museums: A statue of him is displayed at the Maritime Museum of Malacca. In 2025, a major exhibition titled "Historical Sea Hero: Enrique de Malacca @ Panglima Awang" was held in Malacca to strengthen national identity and maritime heritage.
- Contemporary Art: The artist Ahmad Fuad Osman created the "Enrique de Malacca Memorial Project," an installation that uses virtual reality (METTAREKA technology) to allow visitors to experience his journey. It has been showcased at the National Art Gallery of Malaysia.
In the Philippines: The "Interpreter" and "First Filipino"
In the Philippines, the focus is often on his role as a linguistic bridge and his potential local origins.
- The First Circumnavigator: Many Filipino historians, such as Carlos Quirino, have argued that Enrique might have been a native of Cebu (specifically Carcar). This theory is based on the fact that he was able to communicate with the locals when Magellan's ships arrived in 1521.
- Cultural Representation: * Film: National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik featured Enrique as the protagonist in his long-term film project Balikbayan No. 1: Memories of Overdevelopment Redux VI.
Theater: The play Black Henry explores his role as a "go-between" for the Spanish conquistadors and the indigenous people of the Philippines.
- Quincentennial Commemorations: During the 2021 Quincentennial (500-year) celebrations of the Magellan-Elcano expedition, Enrique was highlighted by the National Quincentennial Committee as an "indispensable" figure who proved that the world could be circumnavigated via the Pacific.
Shared and Contested Legacy
- The "Heritage War": Because historical records are sparse (Pigafetta says he was from Sumatra, while Magellan’s will says Malacca), there is a friendly but sometimes fierce "ownership" claim between Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia over his true birthplace.
- Diplomatic Bridge: In 2024, the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia used Enrique's story as a theme for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, highlighting him as a symbol of the shared history and cultural affinities between the two nations.
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3 January 2028: 12.19 a.m
