First Catholic Mass in the Philippines

Primary Sources
Francisco Albo’s Log: Route of Magellan’s Expedition in the Island of Saint Lazarus
On March 16, 1521 as they sailed in a westerly course from Ladrones or known as Mariana
Island at the present, they saw land towards the northwest but they didn't land there due to
shallow places and later found its name as Yunagan. On that same day, they went in a small
island called Suluan which is a part of Samar and there they anchored. Leaving from those two
islands, they sailed westward to an island of Gada where they took in a supply of wood and
water from that island, they sailed towards west to a large island called Seilani (now Leyte).
Along the coast of Seilani, they sailed southwards and turned southwest until they reached the
island of Mazava. From there, they sailed northwards again towards the Island of Seilani and
followed the coast of Seilani towards northwest and saw three small islands. They sailed
westwards and saw three islets where they anchored for the night. In the morning, they sailed
southwest. There, they entered canal between two island, one of which was called Subu (now
called Cebu) and the other was Matan (now called Mactan). They sailed towards southwest on
that canal then turned westward and anchored at the town of Subu wherein they stayed there for
many days.

Pigafetta and Seven days in Mazaua

March 28, 1521, In the morning they anchored near an island where they had
seen a light the night before a small boat (bolo to) came with eight natives to
whom Magellan threw some trinkets as presents. This was Thursday in holy week.
Next day. Holy Friday, Magellan sent his slave interpreter ashore in a small boat to ask
the king if he could provide the expedition with food supplies, and to say that they
had come as friends not as enemies. The native king and his companions returned
ashore, bringing with them two members of Magellan's expedition asguests
for the night. One of the two was Pigafetta.
March 30, 1521, Pigafetta and his companion had spent the previous evening
feasting and drinking with the native king and his son. Pigafetta deplored the fact that
although it was Good Friday they had to eat meat. Early in the morning of Sunday, the
last of March and Easter day, Magellan sent the priest ashore with some men to
prepare for the Mass. Later in the morning Magellan landed with some fifty men
and Mass was celebrated, after which a cross was venerated.
March 31, 1521, While on the summit of the highest hill, Magellan asked the
two kings which ports he should go to in order to obtain more abundant
supplies of food than were available in that island. they replied that there were
three ports to choose from: Ceylon, Zubu and Calagan and Zubu was the port with the
most trade.
April 1, 1521, Magellan sent men ashore to help with the harvest but no work
was done that day because the two kings were sleeping off their drinking bout the
night before. They workon the harvest during the next two days, and on April 4, 1521
they leave Mazaua bound for Cebu.
Pigafetta and Seven days in Mazaua
March 28, 1521, In the morning they anchored near an island where they had
seen a light the night before a small boat (bolo to) came with eight natives to
whom Magellan threw some trinkets as presents. This was Thursday in holy week.
Next day. Holy Friday, Magellan sent his slave interpreter ashore in a small boat to ask
the king if he could provide the expedition with food supplies, and to say that they
had come as friends not as enemies. The native king and his companions returned
ashore, bringing with them two members of Magellan's expedition asguests
for the night. One of the two was Pigafetta.
March 30, 1521, Pigafetta and his companion had spent the previous evening
feasting and drinking with the native king and his son. Pigafetta deplored the fact that
although it was Good Friday they had to eat meat. Early in the morning of Sunday, the
last of March and Easter day, Magellan sent the priest ashore with some men to
prepare for the Mass. Later in the morning Magellan landed with some fifty men
and Mass was celebrated, after which a cross was venerated.
March 31, 1521, While on the summit of the highest hill, Magellan asked the
two kings which ports he should go to in order to obtain more abundant
supplies of food than were available in that island. they replied that there were
three ports to choose from: Ceylon, Zubu and Calagan and Zubu was the port with the
most trade.
April 1, 1521, Magellan sent men ashore to help with the harvest but no work
was done that day because the two kings were sleeping off their drinking bout the
night before. They workon the harvest during the next two days, and on April 4, 1521
they leave Mazaua bound for Cebu.
Pigafetta and Seven days in Mazaua
March 28, 1521, In the morning they anchored near an island where they had
seen a light the night before a small boat (bolo to) came with eight natives to
whom Magellan threw some trinkets as presents. This was Thursday in holy week.
Next day. Holy Friday, Magellan sent his slave interpreter ashore in a small boat to ask
the king if he could provide the expedition with food supplies, and to say that they
had come as friends not as enemies. The native king and his companions returned
ashore, bringing with them two members of Magellan's expedition asguests
for the night. One of the two was Pigafetta.
March 30, 1521, Pigafetta and his companion had spent the previous evening
feasting and drinking with the native king and his son. Pigafetta deplored the fact that
although it was Good Friday they had to eat meat. Early in the morning of Sunday, the
last of March and Easter day, Magellan sent the priest ashore with some men to
prepare for the Mass. Later in the morning Magellan landed with some fifty men
and Mass was celebrated, after which a cross was venerated.
March 31, 1521, While on the summit of the highest hill, Magellan asked the
two kings which ports he should go to in order to obtain more abundant
supplies of food than were available in that island. they replied that there were
three ports to choose from: Ceylon, Zubu and Calagan and Zubu was the port with the
most trade.
April 1, 1521, Magellan sent men ashore to help with the harvest but no work
was done that day because the two kings were sleeping off their drinking bout the
night before. They workon the harvest during the next two days, and on April 4, 1521
they leave Mazaua bound for Cebu.
Pigafetta and Seven days in Mazaua
March 28, 1521, In the morning they anchored near an island where they had
seen a light the night before a small boat (bolo to) came with eight natives to
whom Magellan threw some trinkets as presents. This was Thursday in holy week.
Next day. Holy Friday, Magellan sent his slave interpreter ashore in a small boat to ask
the king if he could provide the expedition with food supplies, and to say that they
had come as friends not as enemies. The native king and his companions returned
ashore, bringing with them two members of Magellan's expedition asguests
for the night. One of the two was Pigafetta.
March 30, 1521, Pigafetta and his companion had spent the previous evening
feasting and drinking with the native king and his son. Pigafetta deplored the fact that
although it was Good Friday they had to eat meat. Early in the morning of Sunday, the
last of March and Easter day, Magellan sent the priest ashore with some men to
prepare for the Mass. Later in the morning Magellan landed with some fifty men
and Mass was celebrated, after which a cross was venerated.
March 31, 1521, While on the summit of the highest hill, Magellan asked the
two kings which ports he should go to in order to obtain more abundant
supplies of food than were available in that island. they replied that there were
three ports to choose from: Ceylon, Zubu and Calagan and Zubu was the port with the
most trade.
April 1, 1521, Magellan sent men ashore to help with the harvest but no work
was done that day because the two kings were sleeping off their drinking bout the
night before. They workon the harvest during the next two days, and on April 4, 1521
they leave Mazaua bound for Cebu.
Pigafetta and Seven days in Mazaua
March 28, 1521, In the morning they anchored near an island where they had seen a light the
night before a small boat (bolo to) came with eight natives to whom Magellan threw
some trinkets as presents. This was Thursday in holy week. Next day. Holy Friday, Magellan
sent his slave interpreter ashore in a small boat to ask the king if he could provide the expedition
with food supplies, and to say that they had come as friends not as enemies. The native king and
his companions returned ashore, bringing with them two members of Magellan's
expedition as guests for the night. One of the two was Pigafetta. March 30, 1521, Pigafetta and
his companion had spent the previous evening feasting and drinking with the native king and his
son. Pigafetta deplored the fact that although it was Good Friday they had to eat meat. Early in
the morning of Sunday, the last of March and Easter day, Magellan sent the priest
ashore with some men to prepare for the Mass. Later in the morning Magellan landed with
some fifty men and Mass was celebrated, after which a cross was venerated.
March 31, 1521, While on the summit of the highest hill, Magellan asked the two kings which
ports he should go to in order to obtain more abundant supplies of food than were
available in that island. they replied that there were three ports to choose from: Ceylon, Zubu and
Calagan and Zubu was the port with the most trade.
April 1, 1521, Magellan sent men ashore to help with the harvest but no work was done that day
because the two kings were sleeping off their drinking bout the night before. They work on the
harvest during the next two days, and on April 4, 1521they leave Mazaua bound for Cebu.

Controversies and Disagreements

Controversies and Disagreements
Controversies and disagreements
II. Controversies and Disagreements
Under the Republic Act No. 2733 on June 19, 1960 the government declared the
Island of Limasawa as a national shrine where the first mass happened in the
Philippines. However, there were controversies between Limasawa and Masao or
known as Butuan as to where the First Catholic Mass really happened.
Under the Republic Act No. 2733 on June 19, 1960 the government declared the
Island of Limasawa as a national shrine where the first mass happened in the
Philippines. However, there were controversies between Limasawa and Masao or
known as Butuan as to where the First Catholic Mass really happened.
Under the Republic Act No. 2733 on June 19, 1960 the government declared the
Island of Limasawa as a national shrine where the first mass happened in the
Philippines. However, there were controversies between Limasawa and Masao or
known as Butuan as to where the First Catholic Mass really happened.
Under the Republic Act No. 2733 on June 19, 1960 the government declared the
Island of Limasawa as a national shrine where the first mass happened in the
Philippines. However, there were controversies between Limasawa and Masao or
known as Butuan as to where the First Catholic Mass really happened.
Under the Republic Act No. 2733 on June 19, 1960 the government declared the
Island of Limasawa as a national shrine where the first mass happened in the
Philippines. However, there were controversies between Limasawa and Masao or
known as Butuan as to where the First Catholic Mass really happened.
Under the Republic Act No. 2733 on June 19, 1960 the government declared the Island of
Limasawa as a national shrine where the first mass happened in the Philippines. However, there
were controversies between Limasawa and Masao or known as Butuan as to where the First
Catholic Mass really happened.
As recounted by Pigafetta in his chronicle of Magellan's expedition to the
Philippine islands starting March 16, 1521, the first Christian Mass celebrated on
Philippine soil was made in an island which he called ''Mazaua.''The precise identity
and location of this venue of the First Mass became the subject of writings of
historians and scholars whose differing interpretations of Pigafetta's account would
eventually spawn lead to a controversy. For three centuries, it was the prevailing belief
that Pigafetta's Mazaua was a place called Masao near Butuan City in Northern
Mindanao.
The Butuan belief persisted from the 17th to the 19th century. Using the primary
sources available Jesuit priest Miguel A. Bernad in his work Butuan or Limasawa: The
Site of the First Mass in the Philippines: A Reexamination of Evidence (1981) lays down
the argument that in the Pigafetta account, a crucial aspect of Butuan was not
mentioned--the river. Butuan is a riverine settlement, situated on the Agusan River.
The beach of Masao is in the delta of said river. It is acurious omission in the account
of the river, which makes part of a distinct characteristics of Butuan’s geography that
seemed to be too important to be missed.
However, former House of Representatives Jaime C. de Veyra stated that the
first mass was celebrated in Limasawa not in Butuan. Historian Pablo Pastells stating
by the footnote to Francisco Collin’s Labor Evangelica that Magellan did not go to
Butuan but from Limasawa to Cebu. American academic historian James
Alexander Robertson agreed with Pastells in a footnote that “Mazua” was
actually Limasawa. In the account of Pigafetta, the port was not in Butuan but an
island named Mazua. Pilot of Magellan’s flagship Francisco Albo does not
mention the first mass but he writes that they erected a cross on a mountain which
overlooked three islands the west and southwest.
As recounted by Pigafetta in his chronicle of Magellan's expedition to the
Philippine islands starting March 16, 1521, the first Christian Mass celebrated on
Philippine soil was made in an island which he called ''Mazaua.'' For three centuries, it was the
prevailing belief that Pigafetta's Mazaua was a place called Masao near Butuan City
in Northern Mindanao.
The Butuan belief persisted from the 17th to the 19th century. Using the primary sources
available Jesuit priest Miguel A. Bernad in his work Butuan or Limasawa: The Site of the First
Mass in the Philippines: A Reexamination of Evidence (1981) lays down the argument that in
the Pigafetta account, a crucial aspect of Butuan was not mentioned--the river, which
makes part of a distinct characteristics of Butuan’s geography that seemed to be too important to
be missed.

Resolution of the issue

The commission concluded that the most thorough and trustworthy account of the Magellan
voyage is that of Antonio Pigafetta. Pigafetta's Mazaua, the site of the first Christian Mass held
on Philippine soil, is an island lying off the southwestern tip of Leyte while Masao in Butuan is
not an island but a barangay of Butuan City located in a delta of the Agusan River along the
coast of Northem Mindanao.

Conclusion
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has found that Portuguese
explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his Spanish representative held the celebration in Limasawa
town, Southern Leyte, eight months before the 500th anniversary of the "first" Mass in the
nation. Tracing back through our past can help us connect more deeply with a sense of self by
learning the past, where, who, what and the adversities and the accomplishments that we
overcome and achieve as Filipinos.
The Cavite Mutiny

THE TWO FACES OF THE 1872 CAVITE MUTINY

Two major events happened in 1872, first was the 1872 Cavite Mutiny and the other was the
martyrdom of the three martyr priests in the persons of Fathers Mariano Gomes, Jose Burgos and
Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA).  However, not all of us knew that there were different accounts
in reference to the said event.  All Filipinos must know the different sides of the story—since this
event led to another tragic yet meaningful part of our history—the execution of GOMBURZA
which in effect a major factor in the awakening of nationalism among the Filipinos.

1872 Cavite Mutiny: Spanish Perspective

Gov. Gen. Rafael Izquierdo’s official report magnified the event and made use of it to implicate
the native clergy, which was then active in the call for secularization. In particular, Izquierdo
blamed the unruly Spanish Press for “stockpiling” malicious propagandas grasped by the
Filipinos. He reported to the King of Spain that the “rebels” wanted to overthrow the Spanish
government to install a new “hari” in the likes of Fathers Burgos and Zamora. The general even
added that the native clergy enticed other participants by giving them charismatic assurance that
their fight will not fail because God is with them coupled with handsome promises of rewards
such as employment, wealth, and ranks in the army. Izquierdo, in his report lambasted (criticize
harshly) the Indios as gullible and possessed an innate propensity for stealing. On 17 February
1872 in an attempt of the Spanish government and Frailocracia to instill fear among the
Filipinos so that they may never commit such daring act again, the GOMBURZA were
executed. This event was tragic but served as one of the moving forces that shaped Filipino
nationalism.
A Response to Injustice: The Filipino Version of the Incident
The Cavite Mutiny is an aim of natives to get rid of the Spanish government in the Philippines,
due to the removal of privileges enjoyed by the laborers of the Cavite arsenal such as exemption
from the tribute and forced labor. On January 20, 1872, about 200 men comprised of soldiers,
laborers of the arsenal, and residents of Cavite headed by Sergeant Lamadrid rose in arms and
assassinated the commanding officer and Spanish officers in sight.
 Rizal’s Retraction
Rafael Palma, a prominent Mason, disputed the veracity of the document of the
alleged retraction because it did not reflect Rizal’s true character and beliefs. He regarded the
resurrected retraction story as a “pious fraud”. Where, according to his analysis, the retraction of
Rizal was hearsay with the following reasons: First, the documents of retraction were kept secret
so that no one except the authorities was able to see it that time. Secondly, when the family of
Rizal ask for the original copy of the document as well as the certificate of canonical
marriage with Josephine Bracken, bot petitions were denied. Third, Rizal’s burial was kept
secret, in spite of what Rizal meant to the Filipinos and of what his conversion meant, no masses
were said for his soul or funeral held by Catholics. Notwithstanding that Rizal was
reconciled with the church, he was not buried in the Catholic cemetery of Paco but in the ground,
without any cross or stone to mark his grave. And, in the entry of the entry in the book of burials
of the interment of Rizal’s body is not made on the page those buried on December 30,
1896,instead he was considered among persons died impenitent with no spiritual aid. Lastly,
there was no moral motive for the conversion.

In conclusion, whether Jose Rizal retracts or not, the scholars think that Rizal's traction paper is
more a reflection of his moral courage in admitting his errors. The fact that he recanted and
returned to his faith may or may not be genuine, but this does not lessen Rizal's status as a great
hero of such magnificence. As noted in the documentary "Ang Bayaning Third World," Rizal
impersonator Joel Torre reminded the time travelers that whether or not his statements were
retracted, it did not invalidate what he had already accomplished and what his books had
accomplished. Furthermore, according to former senator Jose Diokno, "Surely whether Rizal
died as a catholic or an apostate adds or detracts nothing from his glory as a Filipino. Catholic
OR Mason, Rizal is still Rizal - the man."

Cry of Rebellion: Balintawak or Pugadlawin

The Cry of Balintawak occurred on August 26, 1896. The Cry, defined as that turning point
when the Filipinos finally refused Spanish colonial dominion over the Philippine Islands. With
tears in their eyes, the people as one man, pulled out their cedulas signifying their protest against
the Spanish colonialism and tore them into pieces.
Using a diagram, chart, or table, describe Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and Emilio
Aguinaldo
in terms of the following:
a. Character
b. Personality
c. Family background
d. Contributions to the Philippine history and Philippine nationalism
Jose P. Rizal
Character As a character some say
Rizal is open-minded,
intelligent, and hardworking.
Rizal just wants Philippines to
be freed from the Spaniards
making him caring about the
country. He did not care about
himself.
Personality He was far too perfect to be
human: a pioneering doctor,
inspired poet, powerful
novelist, lively sculptor good
farmer, too. A dutiful son and
brother, inspiration to those
who
didn’t know him, and
instant, lifelong friend of
those who did and so
charming a lover that, of the
nine women who became
close to him in his short life,
all retained the deepest
affection for him.
Family The Rizals is considered one
Backgroun of the biggest families during
d their time. Domingo Lam-co,
the family’s paternal
ascendant was a full-blooded
Chinese who came to the
Philippines from Amoy,
China in the closing years of
the 17thcentury and married
Achinese half-breed by the
name of Ines de la Rosa. Jose
Rizal came from a 13-member
family consisting of his
parents, Francisco Mercado II
and Teodora Alonso
Realonda, and nine sisters and
one brother. Nine sisters
compose of Saturnina,
Andres Bonifacio
Andres Bonifacio is a person that is
Optimistic and have strong sense of
responsibility.
He also values work and don’t
want to waste time. Of course he is
also a patriotic person some people
say he is an arrogant person but some
say he had a humility on himself.
Andrés Bonifacio is a true source of
inspiration. Besides leading the
Philippines to independence, he also
lived an exceptional life that remains
important even today. He dreamed
big that his dedication is a constant
reminder that anything is possible.
Bonifacio is often portrayed as a hard
worker and revolutionary. Although
this is true, he was much more than
that. Although having struggled
through many hardships in his youth
and experiencing betrayal during his
early activism, he strongly believed in
the values of comradeship.
Bonifacio's mother, Catalinade
Castro, is a Spanish Mestiza. His
father, Santiago Bonifacio, was a
Teniente Mayor of Tondo.
Bonifacio's tragic family history
during his youth seems to have
followed him into adulthood. He
married twice but had no surviving
children at the time of his death. His
first wife, Monica, came from the
Palomar neighborhood of Bacoor.
She died young of leprosy(Hansen's
disease). Bonifacio's second wife,
Gregoria de Jesus, came from the
Calookan area of Metro Manila. They
married when he was 29 and she was
just 18 their only child, a son, died in
infancy. Had a brothers named
Emilio Aguinaldo
Emilio Aguinaldo himself appears
to be strong and powerful. He has
an impressive personality and can
influence and even intimidate
through sheer force. People
defer to him because they sense his
sureness and effectiveness. Emilio
Aguinaldo also exudes a kind of
controlled benevolence.
Aguinaldo some says he is a traitor
and a cowardice some says he just
did what he can did on his own
way. He schemed plan on himself.
Fought for the Philippines and
handle things
on “what is the best only for him”.
He
strived for the greatness on his
own. Some says he only thinks
for himself.
Emilio Famy Aguinaldo Sr. was
born on March 22, 1869 in Cavite
el Viejo(present-day Kawit),in
Cavite province, to Carlos Jamir
Aguinaldo and Trinidad Famy-
Aguinaldo, a Tagalog Chinese
mestizo couple who had eight
children, the seventh of whom was
Emilio Sr. The Aguinaldo family
was quite well-to-do, as his father,
Carlos J. Aguinaldo was the
community’s
appointed gobernadorcillo
(municipal governor) in
the Spanish colonial administration
and his grandparents Eugenio K.
Aguinaldo and MariaJamir-
Aguinaldo.
 Narcisa,Olympia, Lucia,
Maria, Concepcion,
Josefa,Trinidad, Soledad and
the only brother is Paciano.
Contributio In a competition held byte
n "Liceo Artistico Litarario"
with the poem “AL Juventud
Filipina" (To the Filipino
Youth) he won the special
prize for "indians" and
mestizos. In the same contest,
the first prize for prose was
also awarded to José Rizal's
"Consejo de losdioses
(Council of the Gods)" and
the judges gave it another
special prize as the best
critical appreciation of the
author of "Don Quixote.
Wrote 2novels (Noli Me
Tangere and El
Filibusterismo) that depicts
the tyranny and abuses of the
Spanish regime in the
Philippines. Wrote some good
articles in La Solidaridad
which 2became famous such
as the indolence of the
Filipinos and the Philippines
within century. One of the
heroes that led the Philippines
into its own freedom.
Procopio, Troadio, Ciriaco and sisters
named Espridiona and Maxima.
Was a Filipino revolutionary leader
and one of the main leaders of the
Philippine Revolution against
Spanish colonial rule in the late 19th
century. He is regarded as the "Father
of the Philippine Revolution" and one
of the most influential national heroes
of his country. A Freemason,
Bonifacio was the leading founder of
the Katipunan organization which
aimed to start an independence
movement.
Revolutionary leader,
 
achieved independence of the
Philippines from Spain and was
elected the first president of the
new republic under the Malolos
Congress. He also led the
Philippine-American War against
U.S. resistance to Philippine
independence. Aguinaldo was
arrested. He and others accused of
collaboration with the Japanese
were imprisoned for some months
before they were released by
presidential amnesty. In
1950Aguinaldo was appointed by
Pres. Elpidio Quirino as a member
of the Council of State. In his later
years he devoted much attention to
veterans’ affairs, the promotion
of nationalism and democracy in
the Philippines, and the
improvement of relations between
the Philippines and the United
States.