"He was in the air before there was heaven or earth or anything else. He was ab eterno (from eternity) and not made or created by anybody from anything, and that he alone made and created all that we have mentioned simply by his own volition because he wanted to make something so beautiful as the heaven and earth, and that he made and created one man and one woman out of the earth, from whom have come and descended all the men and their generations that are in the world."

  ---An excerpt from the Lost Scriptures of Bathalang Maykapal

  They still come. Like hungry devils. I guess it was foolish to drown them in liquor. And I realized that the best way to manage them is to ignore and distract myself. Thinking of other things was far better than wallowing in this moribund disposition. And somehow, surprisingly it's working quite nicely. But it's too early to tell if it would rid me of the bad dreams. For now, I could only pray.

  After two days the Captain General sent four men to take me and other assorted things from the ship to the island. Sebastian Delcano and I carted all the baubles and knickknacks in four small trunks to the village. And God, they were heavy.

  Upon my arrival in the natives' village, Mallaca updated me of the things I missed. I have found that these indios are fairly sophisticated in their ruler-ship. Quite different from the rest of savages we came upon in our journey. I'd say they are even slightly advance compare to the Patagonians we encountered earlier. The natives in the island also had a king or perhaps the right word is an emperor but here they call it "rajah" which Humabara currently occupies. They also have datus or chiefs which are equal to our dukes and barons. I've met one of them and he was very respectful for a barbarian, a man named Zullah.

  Datu Zullah, a very hospitable man who came from a neighboring island called Opon Matan, even showed as their kampilan swords and their rectangular lacquered shields which they called kalasag. They were well crafted but of course they wouldn't stand against a cannon. He and his son, Halang, gave us two goats today but they were a bit regretful since another Chief named Kalipulako, confiscated the rest of their gifts for us. Halang even said that this had been going for a long time now. I guess greed is everywhere, even in this small slice of paradise.

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  Her Highness, Rajah Humabara's queen, also conversed with me through Mallaca about other things. Talking to her was quite informative. I have learned some of their words from her. Her servants called her Urayan, which means the golden one. It's because of the jewelries she wore. They were all pure gold.

  Can you believe it? These natives don't know what they have. I fancy, all of it could buy a ship the size of Victoria. Or two Victorias to be exact.

  After awhile, the Captain General awed everyone as he talked about our arduous journey. He recounted our time spent in Patagonia, the mutiny, the poisoning, and when we witnessed St. Elmo's fire during a vicious storm. It was all riveting to hear his tale. And of course, he talked about the faith we all share to our God, the savior. The rajah of the island was so touched by our leader's message that he decided to convert.

  The next day the baptism began, and it was a joyous occasion. The Captain General gave the Rajah, Don Charles as his Christian name. While he gave the name Jehanne for the Rajah's queen. I gave her the image of the infant Christ for her to keep. And she was quite thankful. In return, she gave me a golden necklace with a little figure of a woman. I later discovered that it was one of their pagan goddess, Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan, the goddess of wealth and the punisher of the greedy. I decided to keep it as a memento. It would've been wasteful to throw it away. Pagan or not.

  The chief of Opon Matan, Zullah, was given the christian name Christopher and Fernand for his son, Halang. We baptized eight hundred men in total before the sun set that day. Not a bad job if I may say so. Mallaca further elaborated to me later that day how the supplies gathered by Rajah Humabara and Datu Zullah were taken by Kalipulako's men. Only proving Halang's words to be right and true. So, when evening came, I suggested to the Captain that he intervene and stop Kalipulako's banditry. I was quite glad when he said he would. I hope the Captain General save the poor Zullah from his wretched neighbor. I hope this Kalipulako pay for his ungodly crimes.

  ---from Antonio Pigafetta's Personal Journal