Primary Source of Albo’s Log

The Butuan claim rests upon a tradition that was almost unanimous
and unbroken for three centuries, namely the 17th, the 18th and the
19th.On the strength of that tradition and embodying it, a
monument was erected in 1872 near the mouth of the Agusan River
at spot that was then within the municipal boundaries of Butuan, but
which today belongs to the separate municipality of Magallanes,
named after Ferdinand Magellan. The monument was a brick pillar on
which was a marble slab that contained an inscription which might be
translated as follows: To the Immortal Magellan:the People of Butuan
with their Parish Priest and the Spaniards resident therein, to
commemorate his arrival and the celebration of the First Mass on this
site on the 8th of April 1521. Erected in 1872, under the District
Governor Jose Ma. Carvallo.The monument was erected apparently at
the instigation of the parish priest of Butuan, who at the time was a
Spanish friar of the Order of Augustinian Recollects. The date given
for the first Mass (8 April 1521) may be an obvious error, or it may be
a clumsy and anachronistic attempt to translate the original date
in terms of the Gregorian calendar.In any case, that monument is a
testimonial to the tradition that remained
Primary Source: Pigafetta and Seven Days in
Mazaua

Masao Some Filipino historians have long contested the idea

that Limasawa was the site of the first Catholic mass in the
country. Historian Sonia Zaide identified Masao (also Mazaua)
in Butuan as the location of the first Christian mass. The basis
of Zaide's claim is the diary of Antonio Pigafetta, chronicler of
Magellan's voyage. In 1995 then Congresswoman Ching Plaza
of Agusan del Norte-Butuan City filed a bill in Congress
contesting the Limasawa hypothesis and asserting the "site of
the first mass" was Butuan. The Philippine Congress referred
the matter to the National Historical Institute for it to study
the issue and recommend a historical finding. Then NHI chair
Dr. Samuel K. Tan reaffirmed Limasawa as the site of the first
mass.
 My own analysis about the site of the
First Catholic Mass in the Philippines.

The first Catholic Mass in the Philippines was held on March 31, 1521, Easter Sunday. It was said
by Father Pedro de Valderrama along the shores of what was referred to in the journals of Antonio
Pigafetta as "Mazaua" Four years into the future, most of the 94% to 95% religious population will
be celebrating the 5th Centennial Anniversary of the Mass or Introduction of Christianity in the
Philippines. God willing on March 31, 2021, perhaps around 105 million Filipinos and over a million
guests, visitors and tourists from other countries would be celebrating the 500th Anniversary of
the Mass or Introduction of Christianity which Ferdinand Magellan and his fellow
explorersintroduced in the only Asian country which, over 495 years later, resulted in 84% Roman
Catholics and 10% Protestants out of over 103.4-million population.

Unlike the 500th Feast of Santo Niño which will be observed for sure in Cebu City, the First Mass
on Easter or Introduction of Christianity will divide the honored guests, visitors and tourists from
many foreign countries. Thousands to few millions of the people will travel by pump-boats,
chartered boats, ships, hovercraft, hoverboards and helicopters to Limasawa, an island town of
Southern Leyte. Thousands will also travel by cars, buses, trucks, vans, bicycles, motorcycles and
other land transportation to Masao, the proxy for the nonexistent "Mazzaua" island which
supposedly existed in 1521 north off the coast of nearby Butuan City in Mindanao.

The first ever Christian Mass in the country on March 31, 1521 was celebrated in the island of
Limasawa, south of Leyte and not in Butuan City, so declared the National Historical Institute.
 Case Study 1:

Where Did the First

Catholic Mass take
places in the
Philippines?
Primary Source of Albo’s Log

On the 16th of March (1521) as they sailed in the westerly course from ladrones,
they law saw land towards the northwest; but owing to many shallow places they
did not approach it. They found later that its name Yunagan.
They went instead that same day southward to another small Island name Suluan,
and there they anchored. There they saw some canoes but these fled at Spaniards’
approach. This Island was at 9 and two-thirds degress North Latitude.
Departing from those two Islands, they sailed westward to an uninhabited island of
“Gada” where took in a supply of wood and water. From the Island they sailed
towards a large Island names Seilani “Ceylon” that was inhabited and was known
to have gold.
Sailing southwards they turned southwest to a small island called “Mazava” , the
people of mazava there are Spaniards planted a cross upon a mountain-top.
They sailed again towards Seilani, North-westerly direction, they saw three Islands.
They entered a channel between two Island which was called “Matan” and “Subo”.
And anchored at the town of (la villa) subo, where they stayed many days and
obtained provisions and entered into a peace-pact with the local king.
Town of Subu was on east-west with the island of Suluan and Mazava. But
between Mazava and Subu, there were so many shallows that the boats could not
go westward.
Primary Source: Pigafetta and Seven Days in
Mazaua

Thursday March 28, they seen a boloto came with eight natives,
Magellan threw some trinkets as present, the native paddle away, but 2
hours later 2 larger balanghai came. In the afternoon the Spanish ships
weighed anchor and came closer to shore, anchored near native king’s
village , This Thursday, March 28 was Thursday in Holy week (Holy
Thursday).
Friday, March 29, “Holy Friday” Another exchange of gifts was made.
The native king and his companions returned ashore, bringing with them
two members of Magellan’s expeditions as guest for the night. (One of
the two was pigafetta).
Saturday, March 30, Pigafetta and his companion spent previous
evening feasting and drinking with the king and his son, Pigafetta
deplored the fact that although it was Good Friday they had to eat meat.
Sunday, March 31, the last March and Easter day, Magellan sent the
priest ashore to prepare for the mass. Later on Magellan landed with
fifty men and Mass was celebrated, in the afternoon they returned
ashore to plant the cross on the summit of the highest hill, in
attendance both at the Mass and the planting of the cross were the king
of Mazaua and king of Butuan. Magellan asked the two kings to obtain
more abundant suplies of food and they choose from Ceylon, Zubu and
Calagan but among the three Zubu was the port with the most trade.
Monday, April 1, Magellan sent men ashore to help with harvest. But no
work was done that day because two kings get drunk.Tuesday, April 2
and Wednesday, April 3 – Work on the harvest during the next two
days.Thursday, April 4 – They leave Mazaua, bound for Cebu.

My own analysis about the site of the

First Catholic Mass in the Philippines.
This island is surrounded by lovely white beaches and calm clear water and can be
easily reached from Southern Leyte. It is well known to hold the first Catholic mass
in the Philippines on Easter Sunday March 31 1521. To reach the site one needs to
climb 400 steps. Upon reaching the top you won’t be disappointed as there are
breath taking views to be seen.
According to the 2010 census this small island has a population of only 5,835
inhabitants, making it the smallest municipality in the province,
On the boat trip from Southern Leyte you may be lucky enough to see whale sharks
or dolphins. We only saw dolphins upon returning back to Southern Leyte.

There is a controversy regarding the site of the first Mass ever celebrated on
Philippine soil.Pigafetta tells us that it was Held on Easter Sunday,the 31stof March
1521, on an island called"Mazaua". Two native chieftains were in attendance: the
rajah of Mazaua and the rajah of Butuan. After the Mass the crowd went up
a little hill and planted a wooden cross upon its summit. The subject of
controversy is the identity of this place which Pigafetta calls"Mazaua,"
There are two conflicting claims as to its identity: one school of thought points to
the little island south of Leyte which in the maps is called Limasawa; the other
school rejects that claim and points instead to the beach called Masao at the
mouth of the Agusan River innorthernMindanao, near what was then the village
(now the city) of Butuan. But in summary, I believe that Limasawa is the location of
the first mass in the Philippines. It is because there are lots of evidences that
support so.
 FRANCISCAN COLLEGE OF THE IMMACULATE
CONCEPTION
BAYBAY CITY LEYTE

Case Study 1: Where Did the

First Catholic Mass take places in
the Philippines?

SUBMITTED BY: Floramie Falcone

SUBMITTED TO: Bienvenida Bactasa