MANILA, Philippines — From 1565 to 1815, the Philippines served as a key hub in the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, one of the most important trans-Pacific maritime routes in world history. For 250 years, large Spanish galleons transported Asian goods from Manila to Acapulco, Mexico, and returned with silver and other goods from the Americas.

The trade officially began after Spanish navigator Andrés de Urdaneta discovered the return route, known as the “tornaviaje”, which utilized the North Pacific’s favorable currents. This discovery allowed the Spanish to establish a successful eastward crossing of the Pacific.

The galleon trade funneled highly prized Asian goods—silk, porcelain, spices, and lacquerware—gathered in Manila from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia to Mexico and Europe. In exchange, the Spanish colonies shipped silver from the rich mines of Mexico and Peru. This silver, particularly valued by China, was critical in balancing global trade, according to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Filipino shipbuilders played a central role in sustaining the galleon trade for more than two centuries. According to Guampedia large shipyards were established in the Philippines, particularly in Cavite and other coastal provinces, dedicated to constructing these massive galleons. Utilizing durable hardwoods sourced from Philippine forests, Filipino craftsmen built ships known for their strength and ability to endure long and treacherous voyages across the Pacific. Each galleon could take up to two years to complete due to the complexity of its design and the size required to carry vast amounts of cargo. Some vessels were capable of transporting up to 2,000 tons, making them the largest wooden ships of their time.

The trade also had lasting demographic and cultural effects that continue to be seen today. Genetic studies published by the Royal Society confirmed the presence of Filipino ancestry in various regions of Mexico, particularly in Acapulco. This genetic connection traces back to Filipino sailors, laborers, and settlers who arrived in Mexico as part of the galleon trade. Many Filipinos, often referred to in colonial records as “Indios Luzones,” were brought to New Spain, where they settled, intermarried with locals, and integrated into Mexican society. Over generations, this migration contributed to the unique cultural and genetic diversity of communities in coastal Mexico, serving as a living testament to the deep-rooted connections between the Philippines and Mexico forged during the centuries of trans-Pacific trade.

According to Guampedia, the trade ended in 1815 when Mexico gained independence and Spain lost power in the Americas. The war for independence made it impossible to continue the trade, officially closing a 250-year chapter of connecting Asia and the Americas by sea trade.

The Intramuros Administration also highlighted that the galleon trade not only brought economic growth but also introduced new ideas, customs, and traditions to the Philippines. Through this trade, Filipinos were exposed to Mexican, Spanish, Chinese, and other Asian cultures, which influenced local art, food, language, and even religion. This exchange of goods and culture laid the foundation for what would later be known as early globalization, where different parts of the world became connected and interdependent