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Site of the First Mass, after 488 years Controversy Continues
A Tridentine mass was held early morning of march 31 to
commemorate the 488th First Mass Celebration officiated by
Father Joesello Amalia at Bood Promontory in Pinamanculan.
The mass is in pure latin re- enacting the first Mass officiated
by Fr. Pedro Valderrama, chaplain of the Spanish expedition
team headed by Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan,
on March 31, 1521.
In his homily, Father Amalla explained that Bood Promontory
is not the exact site where the First Mass was held but rather
it is the site of commemoration of the thanksgiving mass
happened in Mazzua.
488 years ago, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan
"rediscovered" archipelago in March 1521 and made history.
Little did he know that more than 400 years later, two places
will contest the site of the recorded First Mass in the
Philippines, whether it was held in Limasawa Island in
southern Leyte or in Mazzua or Masao in Butuan. The
controversy makes a mockery of the Philippine history when
Limasawa and Masao both commemorated the anniversary of
the recorded First Mass in respective places.
The issue sparks when Dr. Gregorio Zaide and his daughter,
Sonia, in several editions during the 1980s of their widely
disseminated history textbooks, insisted that the recorded
First Mass was held in Masao, Butuan and in the process,
dismissed the Limasawa claim as erroneous.
The First Mass controversy continues and historian experts
have been called to intervene in its hope to settle the dispute.
Over the years, it came to a point when the National Historical
Institute, in a decision handed out a few years back, had ruled
that the recorded First Mass in the Philippines was indeed
held in Limasawa Island.
However, the Butuan Cultural and Historical Foundation
Incorporated would not rest the case without putting up a
good fight. Mr. Greg Hontiveros, a local historian who
authored two books. "Butuan in Thousand Years" and "A Fire
on the Island" stressed, that it is only here in the Philippines
who legislates history that makes Republic Act 2733, AN ACT
TO DECLARE THE SITE IN MAGALLANES, LIMASAWA ISLAND IN
THE PROVINCE OF LEYTE, WHERE THE FIRST MASS IN THE
PHILIPPINES WAS HELD AS A NATIONAL SHRINE, TO PROVIDE
FOR THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND
LANDMARKS a mistake committed by the government.
Mr. Hontiveros added, they may have been failed in their
effort to pave way in the amendment of the law, but they
were victorious in convincing majority of the historians that
indeed, the First Mass was held in Masao, Butuan, 488 years
ago today.
The 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
everyone 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.
The Spanish Version
Jose Montero y Vidal was a Spanish historian who wrote the
book Historia General de Filipinas as the Spanish version of
Cavite Mutiny of 1872. Montero, who was normally a good
historian, narrated the Cavite episode and speaks as a
Spaniard bet on perverting the facts at his pleasure and is
mischievously partial. He exaggerated the mutiny of a few
disgruntled native soldiers and laborers into a revolt to
overthrow the Spanish rule despite of unsupported by
documentary evidence.
Carlos Maria de la Torre was relieved from his post with the
establishment in Spain of a government which was less
radical.
Rafael de izquierdo assumed control of government.
The abolition of the privileges enjoyed by the laborers of the
Cavite Arsenal of exemption from the tribute was the cause of
the insurrection.
Another version of this was a personal letter written by
Izquierdo himself. The content was basically the same, and it
was addressed to the new Spanish government after the
monarchy was overthrown in Spain's own civil war.
The Filipino Version
According to Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, this was merely
a mutiny of native Filipino soldiers and laborers of Cavite
arsenal against the harsh policy of despotic Governor and
Captain-General Rafael de Izquierdo which abolished their
old-time privileges of exemption from paying the annual
tribute and from rendering forced labor (polo). Fillipinos had
great hopes of an improvement in the affairs of their country.

The loss of privileges resented by the soldiers and laborers
was the primary cause of the revolt. Dissatisfaction and
discontent with the government spread all over.
Gen. Izquierdo made it clear that there will be no changes in
the government and intended to govern the people with a
crucifix in one hand and a sword in the other. He also
established the school of arts and trades in the country.
Those who supported ex-Governor de la Torre were classed as
persona sospechosas (suspects) a term used to refuse to obey
the wishes and whims of the authorities.
The peace of the colony was broken and culminated in the
overthrow of the Spanish sovereignty in the Philippine islands.
Uprisings and assassinations in the entire garrison in Cavite
were disaffected.
The uprising among the soldiers in Cavite was used as a
powerful lever by the Spanish residents and by the friars.
Jose Rizal's Retraction
Rizal's retraction is still one (1) of the country's greatest
historical issues. The story of the Retraction has been told and
retold and has created tremendous ambiguities in national
history on the credence of the national hero.
Archivist Fr. Manuel Garcia. C.M. discovered the "original"
text containing the so-called retraction formula in the
archdiocesan archives on May 18, 1935, thirty-nine years after
Rizal's execution. The Text appears to have been released to
the press and published after the death of rizal but the
original document was not produced until 1935. Because,
immediately after Rizal's death. Fr. Balaguer gave it to Fr. Pi
and Fr. Pi gave it to Fr. Nozaleda in order for his secretary to
keep it.
There are two (2) major arguments that support Rizal's
Retraction. These are:
1. The Retraction "Document" found in 1935 was
considered imperative evidence to the Retraction, itself,
and
2. There were eyewitnesses closely associated with the
events.
According to Ricardo P. Garcia's "The Great Debate: The
Rizal's Retraction", there were two (2) great testimonies of
eyewitnesses who were privy to what happened in Rizal's cell
from early morning of December 29 to 6:30 am of December
30. They are:
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1. Fr. Vicente Balaguer. According to the priest's
testimonies, the reasonable Rizal had several rude
awakenings: confessed, celebrated mass, had Communion,
and prayed the Rosary four (4) times.
2. Former Lieutenant of the Infantry, Mariano Martinez
Gallegos. He confirmed that Rizal himself signed a
document called a retraction along with key eyewitnesses
Juan del Fresno and Eloy Moure. Both named
eyewitnesses confirmed Gallegos' statements.
To further cement the arguments, new documents were
released with new interpretations. These are:
1. The Cuerpo de Vigilancia
Translation of the Transcript:
"At 7:50 yesterday morning, Jose Rizal entered death row
accompanied by his counsel. Señor Tavielde Andrade, and the
Jesuit priestVilaclara. At the urgings of the former and
moments after entering, he was served a light breakfast. At
approximately 9, the Assistant of the Plaza, Señor Maure,
asked Rizal if he wanted anything. He replied that at the
moment he only wanted a prayer book which was brought to
him shortly by Father March.
"SeñorAndrade left death row at 10 and Rizal spoke for a long
while with the Jesuit fathers, March and Vilaclara, regarding
religious matters, it seems. It appears that these two
presented him with a prepared retraction on his life and
deeds that he refused to sign. They argued about the matter
until 12:30 when Rizal ate some poached egg and a little
chicken. Afterwards he asked to leave to write and wrote for a
long time by himself,
"At 3 in the afternoon, Father March entered the chapel and
Rizal handed him what he had written Immediately the chief
of the firing squad, Señordel Fresno and the Assistant of the
Plaza, Senior Maure, were informed. They entered death row
and together with Rizal signed the document that the accused
had written. It seems this was the retraction."
 Rizal's short writing in Josephine Bracken's copy of,
"De la Imitacion de Cristo (The Imitations of Christ)";
and
 Rizal's frequent mentions of "cross" in his final
writings.
Rizal Died Defiant

Arguments that counter the Pro-Retraction have been
proposed by some historians due to some loopholes that the
pro-Retraction has failed to overlook. These are:
1. The Retraction letter itself is not authentic according to
some historians;
2. Josephine Bracken herself remains unmarried; and
3. The aftermath of the pro-Retraction's arguments points
to a different direction.
So, what kind of hero is Jose Rizal? Is he a fickle-minded
individual?
According to Austin Coates, a British author and historian,
"Before God, he (Dr. Rizal) had nothing to retract. And from
Dr. Jose Rizal himself, quote, "I go where there are no staves,
no hangmen, no oppressors... where faith does not slay...
where He who reigns is God.”
KATIPUNAN'S CRY
The "Katipunan's Cry" is the "Cry for Rebellion". It is the
beginning of the U revolution of the Filipino people against
the Spanish empire. They inspired all Filipinos to fight against
the injustices of the Spanish, particularly those friars (Spanish
priests). Furthermore, this is one of the most memorable
events that happened in our history, which is the tearing up of
the sedula.
WHEN DID THE KATIPUNAN START?
On July 7, 1892, the "KKK", also known as Kataastaasan,
Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, or
Kataastaasan Kagalang- galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng
Bayan, was founded under the leadership of Andress
Bonifacio
Katipunan was Founded by Filipino patriots Deodato Arellano,
Andrés Bonifacio, Valentin Diaz, Ladislao Diwa, José Dizon,
and Teodoro Plata.
There is controversy about the Katipunan's cry on where and
when it happened. Is it in Balintawak or Pugad Lawin? What is
the exact date? It is on August 23, 24, 25, and 26? There are 5
people who tell about the story of Katpinunan's Cry
PIO VALENZUELA
The first place of refuge of Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto,
Procopio Bonifacio, Teodoro Plata, Aguedo del Rosario, and
myself was Balintawak, the first five arriving there on August
19, and I, on August 20, 1896. The first place where some 500
members of the Katipunan met on August 22, 1896, was the
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house and yard of Apolonio Samson at Kangkong. Aside from
the persons mentioned above, among those who were there
were Briccio Pantas, Alejandro Santiago, Ramon Bernardo,
Apolonio Samson, and others. Here, views were only
exchanged, and no resolution was debated or adopted. It was
at Pugad Lawin, in the house, store-house, and yard of Juan
Ramos, son of Melchora Aquino.
SANTIAGO ALVAREZ
Sunday, August 23, 1896
As early as 10 o'clock in the morning, at the barn of Kabesang
Melchora (Melchora Aquino - Z), at a place called
Sampalukan, barrio of Bahay Toro, Katipuneros met together.
About 500 of these arrived, ready and eager to join the
Supremo" Andres Bonifacio and his men....
Monday, August 24, 1896
There were about 1,000 Katipuneros. The "Supremo" decided
to hold a meeting inside the big barn. Under his leadership,
the meeting began at 10 o'clock in the morning...
It was 12 o'clock noon when the meeting adjourned amidst
loud cries of "Long live the Sons of the Country" (Mabuhay
ang mga Anak ng Bayan)!
GREGORIA DE JESUS
The activities of the Katipunan had reached nearly all comers
of the Philippine Archipelago, so that when its existence was
discovered and some of the members arres ted, we
immediately returned to Caloocan. However, as we were
closely watched by the agents of the Spanish authorities,
Andres Bonifacio and other katipuneros left the town after
some days. It was then that the uprising began, with the first
cry for freedom on August 25, 1896. Meanwhile, I was with
my parents. Through my friends, I learned that the Spanish
were coming to arrest me. Immediately. 1 fled town at eleven
o'clock at night, secretly going through the ricefields to La
Loma, with the intention of returning to Manila. I was treated
like an apparition, for, sad to say, in every house where I tried
to get a little rest, I was driven away as if the people therein
were frightened for their own lives. Later, 1 found out that
the occupants of the houses which I had visited were seized
and severely punished and some even exiled. One of them
was an uncle of mine whom I had visited on that night to kiss
his hand, and he died in exile.
Guillermo Masangkay
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On August 26th [1896-Z], a big meeting was held in

Balintawak, at the house of Apolonio Samson, then the
cabeza of that barrio of Caloocan. Among those who at-
tended, I remember, were Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Aguedo
del Rosario, Tomas Remigio, Briccio Pantas, Teodoro Plata, Pio
Valenzuela, Enrique Pacheco, and Francisco Carreon. They
were all leaders of the Katipunan and composed the board of
directors of the organization. Delegates from Bulacan,
Cabanatuan, Cavite, and Morong (now Rizal), were also
present.

Olegario Diaz

The conspiracy having been discovered, Bonifacio and his

followers hurriedly fled to the nearby town of Caloocan On
the 23rd [of August, 1896 - Z) Bonifacio moved to the barrio
of Balintanac [Balintawak -2) followed by 200 men from
Caloocan; on the 24th they were attacked by the Guardia Civil
in the outskirts of the said town and they retreated to their
hiding places.

The Supreme Council called for a big meeting to be held the

following day [August 25-Z] in the above- mentioned barrio
[Balintawak-Z.]. More than 5,000 members attended. The
meeting began with a discussion of what course should be
taken in the face of the new situation and in view of the
arrests that were being made. There were some who were
disposed to go back and sur- render to the Spanish
authorities. Bonifacio was strongly opposed to such a course.
He was for taking up arms at once. Put to a vote, Bonifacio's
proposal was approved by an overwhelming majority. See
how strong an influence he wields!

Orders were immediately sent out to Manila, Cavite, Nueva

Ecija, and other provinces for the Katipuneros to trike at dawn
on Sunday, August 30th.