Their weapons consist of large knives curved like cutlasses, spears, and caracas [i.e., shields].  They employ the same kinds of boats as the inhabitants of Luzon.  They have the same occupations, products, and means of gain as the inhabitants of all the other islands.  These Visayans are a race less inclined to agriculture, and are skilful in navigation, and eager for war and raids for pillage and booty, which they call mangubas. [132] This means “to go out for plunder.”

Near the principal settlement of the island of Sebu, there is a fine port for all manner of vessels.  It has a good entrance and furnishes shelter at all times.  It has a good bottom and is an excellent anchorage.  There are also other ports and bars of less importance and consideration, as in all these islands, for smaller vessels.

This island of Sebu is an island of more than one hundred leguas in circumference.  It has abundance of provisions, and gold mines and placers, and is inhabited by natives.

Beyond it lie other islands, very pleasant and well populated, especially the island of Panay.  Panay is a large island, more than one hundred leguas in circumference, containing many native settlements. [133] It produces considerable quantities of rice, palm-wine, and all manner of provisions.  It has flourishing and wealthy settlements, on what is called the river of Panay.  The chief one is Oton, which has a bar and port for galleys and ships, shipyards for building large ships, and a great amount of timber for their construction.  There are many natives, who are masters of all kinds of shipbuilding.  Near this island lies an islet eight leguas in circumference, which is densely populated by natives who are all carpenters.  They are excellent workmen, and practice no other trade or occupation; and, without a single tree of any size on this whole islet, they practice this art with great ability.  From there all the islands are furnished with workmen for carpentry.  The island is called that of the Cagayanes.

After the island of Sebu follow immediately the island of Mindanao, an island of more than three hundred leguas in circumference, and Jolo, which is small.  Lower down is the island of Borneo, a very large island, more than five hundred leguas in circumference.  All of these islands are densely populated, although that of Borneo is not subdued.  Neither is that of Mindanao in entirety, but only the river of Botuan, Dapitan, and the province and coast of Caragan.

Below this island [Mindanao], before reaching that of Borneo, lie the islands of the Calamianes.  They are very numerous, and consist of islands of various sizes, which are densely inhabited with natives; they have some supply of provisions and engage in certain kinds of husbandry.  However the most usual occupation is that of their navigations from island to island in pursuit of their trading and exchange, and their fisheries; while those who live nearest the island of Borneo are wont to go on piratical raids and pillage the natives in other islands.