Maureen Anne M.

Garcia Activity #2 (The Site of the First Mass)

BS Mathematics, MT31 September 12, 2020

1. Where do you think was the first mass in the Philippines held? Support your answer with

primary sources.

National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NCHP) stated that, “the First Easter

Sunday Mass that was held in 1521 after the discovery of Philippines by Ferdinand Magellan,

was placed in Limasawa Island then known as ‘Mazaua’.

The controversy started when the former Agusan del Norte Rep. Charito Plaza filed a bill

claiming that the First Easter Sunday Mass was held in their place – Butuan City and not in

Limasawa. It was then that the House of Representatives forwarded the matter for further study

to the NCHP, formerly known as National Historic Institute.

Due to the argument, study, researches, and literature were reassessed, and soon found

out that the Mass was held in Limasawa Island. Per Pigafetta, chronicler of the Magellan

Expedition, the Easter Sunday Mass that expedition chaplain Fr. Pedro Valderama celebrated on

March 31, 1521, happened in a place he identified as Mazaua.

2. Create a table providing similarities and differences of different accounts and versions of

the first Mass in the Philippines.

Arguments in favor of Limasawa, Southern Leyte

Accounts/Versions of Similarities Differences
Chronological Orders
Francisco Albo’s Account The island has gold and large

number of gingers.
Miguel Lopez de Legaspi The expedition entered the

and/or Hernando Riquel Philippines at the island of

(Home Clerk of the Samar called Tandaya

Home/Office) Account
Pigafetta’s Account The island has numerous They didn’t go to explore the

amount of gold. Island, but instead to held

mass and introduce

Christianism to its people

Jose Arcilla, Historian Islanders and Europeans

became friends.

Arguments in favor of Masao, Butuan City

Accounts/Versions of Similarities Differences

Chronological Orders
Gregorio Zaide They all sail up to the soil of

the Philippines.
Fred Atkinson They all sail up to the soil of They sail westward

the Philippines.
John Ford They all sail up to the soil of They sail eastward

the Philippines.

3. Do you favor the enactment of law as a means to settle the controversy of the place where

the first mass in the Philippines was held?

 Yes. It was first stated that the mass was held in Limasawa, but due to some

disagreements, it was reassessed and soon found out that it was indeed held in the said Island.

Presenting evidences from different Historians and Writers, I think it was already enough

reason to validate the law even it doesn’t have the former president’s signature.