1498-1568

Spanish monk and navigator who discovered a viable route across the Pacific Ocean from west to east, facilitating the Spanish conquest of the Philippines. He was a military officer, then spent 11 years (1525-1536) in the Spice Islands as an adventurer. In 1553 he became an Augustinian monk in Mexico. In 1564-1565 he led an expedition to the Philippines from Mexico and, on his return trip, discovered a northerly return route with favorable winds.