Miguel López de Legazpi was a Spanish explorer and the first governor-general of the Philippines. He was born in 1502 in Getaria, Spain, and played a crucial role in establishing Spanish colonial rule in the archipelago. In 1565, he arrived in the Philippines and founded the first permanent Spanish settlement in Cebu. Legazpi's expeditions helped expand Spanish influence in the region, leading to the establishment of trade routes and the spread of Christianity. He is known for his diplomatic skills and efforts to negotiate with local leaders, which facilitated the integration of the Philippines into the Spanish Empire.