Democracy Now! Audio Filipino Director Lav Diaz on "Magellan," Colonialism in the Philippines & More
Jan 21, 2026
Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz, known for his critically acclaimed works, discusses his latest film, Magellan, starring Gael García Bernal. He delves into Magellan's dual legacy as both a hero and a symbol of colonial violence. The conversation explores early European imperialism and the historical complexities of figures like Lapu-Lapu and Enrique of Malacca. Diaz emphasizes the need to reexamine colonial narratives and reflects on the ongoing impacts of American intervention in the Philippines. His film serves as a catalyst for global dialogue on history.
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Magellan's Lasting Cultural Legacy
- Ferdinand Magellan shaped the Philippines' Catholic identity through the first mass and baptisms in Cebu, leaving lasting cultural imprints like Santo Niño devotion.
- Lav Diaz frames Magellan as foundational to 80% of Filipino Catholicism, linking contemporary culture directly to that encounter.
16th Century Roots Of Imperialism
- European expansion in the early 16th century fused navigation, capitalism and imperialism into a global project of plunder and colonization.
- Lav Diaz traces modern capitalism and colonialism back to these expeditions driven by greed and collusion with church and crown.
Malacca As The Planned Gateway
- Lav Diaz recounts how Malacca was the trading hub Europeans targeted before reaching the 'Islands of Gold' that became the Philippines.
- He describes the route as planned, driven by knowledge of spice trade centers and the Treaty of Tordesillas division.
