Chapter 3

One Past but Many Histories: Controversies and Conflicting Views in Philippine History

To gain a comprehensive and accurate understanding of a historical event, historians and researchers should examine it
from multiple angles or perspectives. This approach, often referred to as "historical triangulation," involves considering a
variety of sources, viewpoints, and interpretations to construct a more nuanced and well-rounded narrative of the past. In
analyzing historical events, multi-perspective approach should be used.

• "This is we" perspective in history, also known as the collective or societal perspective (pantayo), emphasizes the role
of collective actions, societal forces, and broader contexts in shaping historical events and developments. Instead of
focusing primarily on individual figures, this perspective looks at the interconnectedness of communities, societies,
culture, traditions, and the structural factors that influence historical outcomes.

• "This is you" perspective in history is to emphasize the significant role of individual figures or leaders in shaping
historical events and developments. This perspective highlights the idea that certain key individuals, through their
actions, decisions, leadership, or unique attributes, have a substantial impact on the course of history. It is often
taken from the perspective of an outsider; telling “this is you” in the perspective from the outside, comparing their
own experiences to the subject of their narrative.

A. The Site of the First Mass

It has been said that the first Catholic Mass in the Philippines was held on March 31, 1521. However, there are issues as
to where it was really celebrated.

One event, one date, different location (claimant location). Contention about the place called Mazaua by Antonio Pigafetta.

Claimants Primary Source – Different versions of Antonio Pigafetta’s account

1. Masau, Butuan, Agusan del Norte (Mindanao)
and other primary sources.
• Late 1500s-early 1800s sources including the logbook of Antonio
Pigafetta led to a conclusion that the place of the First Mass was
in Butuan.
• In 1995, Agusan del Norte's 1st congressional district
Representative Ching Plaza filed a bill in Congress contesting the

2. Limasawa Island, Leyte, (Visayas)
Limasawa hypothesis and asserting that the "site of the first
mass" was in Butuan.
• The bill asserted that the first mass was actually held in Masao
in Butuan according to the findings of the historian Sonia Zaide.
• 1894 – a new transcription and reexamination of Pigafetta
logbook and other related primary sources showed that the
actual place of the Mass was on Limasawa Island, Leyte
Province in the Visayas.
• 1921 – the transfer of the site was formally recognized by the
government in 1921.
• On June 19, 1960, Republic Act No. 2733, known as the
"Limasawa Law", was enacted without executive approval on
June 19, 1960. (The act lapsed into law)
• 1980, 1995, 2000 – the National Historical Institute convened
different panels to discuss and resolve the location of the Easter
Sunday Mass. All these panels concluded that the site of the
Mass was on Limasawa Island.
• 2020 – prior to the Quincentennial (500th) Year Commemoration
of the arrival of Magellan in the Philippines (First
Circumnavigation of the World), the Mojares panel was convened
by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)
to revisit the event. The panel was led by National Artist for
Literature Resil Mojares together with Dr. Danilo Gerona
(Magellan and Pigafetta history expert).
• The reexamination of the event was aided with new technology to
access different sources, they also make use of computer
simulation from a research to pinpoint the journey of the
Magellan-Elcano expedition.
• The Mojares panel concluded through the use of new technology
they still relied much on the discipline and rigors of
historiography.
 • They also suggested that the event should be called “First Easter
Sunday Mass.”

B. The Cavite Mutiny

In the history of the Philippines, the year 1872 was a very historic one because of an event – the Cavite mutiny. This
event implicated some of the clergy in the Cavite and Manila - the GomBurZa. Although the uprising of Filipino
soldiers was immediately suppressed by Spanish authorities, it is regarded as one of the moments that awakened the
nationalistic ideals of the Filipinos that time to fight for their rights especially the execution of the three martyr priests
who subsequently became the inspiration and to whom Dr. Jose Rizal dedicated his novel El Filibusterismo.

Account Date Cause Result

Jose Montero y Vidal • The abolition of the privileges enjoyed by laborers of Cavite Clergy’s and others
(Spanish historian) arsenal of exemption from tributes. who were
Historia General de • Attainment of independence from the Spanish government implicated in the
Filipinas event was executed.
Rafael Izquierdo • The insurrection was motivated and prepared by the native
(Spanish Governor- clergy. • Mariano Gomes –
General that time) • They (especially the clergy) encouraged the rebellion by a pure-blood
January 20, 1872

protesting what they called the injustice of having obliged the Tagalog
workers in the Cavite arsenal to pay tribute, and to render • Jacinto Zamora –
personal services (polo y servicio) which they are formerly a half-blood
exempted. Chinese
• Jose Burgos – a
T. H. Pardo de Tavera • Grievances of the soldiers and laborers of the Cavite arsenal. half-Spanish
(Filipino scientist, • Soldiers before the arrival of Izquierdo were exempted from
scholar and historical paying tribute and they are not obliged to work for public The GomBurZa were
researcher) improvements (polo y servicio). executed on
• Rise of Filipino nationalistic ideas. February 17, 1872
through garrote
(strangulation).

Note: Dr. T. H. Pardo de Tavera stated that Jose Montero y Vidal “in narrating the Cavite episode, does not speak as a
historian; he speaks as a Spaniard bent on perverting the facts as his pleasure; he is mischievously partial.”
C. The Cry of Revolution

One event, different dates, different locations.

Event Date Location Present/Commonalities

1. Cry of Pugad Lawin August 26, 1896 (first Apolonio Samson,
Pio Valenzuela account) kangkong Quezon City
August 23, 1896 (second
account)

“Long live the Philippines!

Long live the Philippines!”

2. Cry of Bahay Toro August 24, 1896 Sampalukan, Barrio Bahay

Santiago Alvarez Toro, Quezon City
• Andres Bonifacio
(not an eyewitness “Long live the Sons of the
• Emilio Jacinto
account” Country” (Mabuhay ang
• Other high-ranking
mga anak ng bayan)
officers of the Katipunan
• Cry for revolution
3. Cry of Balintawak August 26, 1896 Balintawak, Quezon City
Guillermo Masangkay
“Revolt”
Tearing of cedula.
“Long live the Philippine
Republic!”

4. Account of Gregoria de August 25, 1896 Caloocan

Jesus
“Lakambini of the
Katipunan”