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Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
This case study explores the long-running controversy over the site of the first Catholic
Mass held in the Philippines, concentrating on the opposing viewpoints of Butuan City and
Limasawa. This study looks closely at historical documents, archeological data, and academic
viewpoints to find the most likely location for the first Catholic Mass in the Philippine
archipelago. The thesis posits that although there are two opposing stories in the evidence and
narratives, a closer look at primary sources and contextual analysis suggests that Limasawa is the
Introduction
The question of where the first Catholic Mass in the Philippines occurred has been a
subject of contention and scholarly debate for centuries. Two prominent locations, Limasawa and
Butuan City, claim to have hosted this remarkable occasion. The historical controversy of where
the first Catholic Mass was held in the archipelago coincides with the advent of Catholicism to
the Philippines. Nevertheless, conflicting accounts caused academic debate, historical research,
and a search for solid proof, resulting in an intriguing historical issue over the actual site of the
The first documented Catholic Mass in the Philippines was held on March 31, 1521,
Easter Sunday. Father Pedro de Valderrama led the ceremony as the fleet's chaplain and the only
priest present on the island at the time. Conducted close to the island's coast, it symbolized the
beginning of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines. The earliest indigenous people to live in the
archipelago were the Siagu and Colambu. The name "Philippines" was not given to the group
until Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, along with other indigenous people, traveled there in 1543 to
It is widely acknowledged that Magellan celebrated the first Catholic Mass in the
Philippines on the little island of Limasawa in Southern Leyte. Accounts from chronicler
Antonio Pigafetta, who traveled with Magellan's expedition, corroborate this assertion. Butuan
City in Mindanao, on the other hand, also claims its historical position, arguing that it was the
site of the first mass said before Magellan's arrival, supported by evidence of pre-Hispanic trade
Case Analysis
Francisco Albo was one of the crew members of Magellan's flagship, Trinidad,
and more precisely the pilot, or "contra-maestre." He was among the eighteen survivors
that traveled around the world in Victoria with Sebastian Elcano and returned to Spain.
He started recording his own journal in a logbook while traveling southward on the
As per his statement, the island he refers to as Gada appears to be the acquada of
Pigafetta, namely the island of Homonhon, from where they obtained water and wood
supplies. Leyte was the location of the enormous island of Seilani, where they coasted.
They discovered a little island called Mazava after coasting south along that island's
eastern coast and then veering to the southwest. That makes sense, given where
Limasawa is. Interestingly, Albo only talks about the crosses that were placed on the
mountain, from where the three islands to the west and southwest could be seen. The
southern tip of Limasawa matches this as well. It doesn't work on the Butuan coast
because there are no islands visible to the southwest but only to the north.
Pigafetta unveils critical details concerning potential locations for the first Catholic Mass
in the Philippines. They first spotted Zamal Island on March 16, 1521, and landed on
Homonhon the following day. They named the entire archipelago the "Islands of Saint
Lazarus," matching the Gospel reading for the day. This religious thread continues on
March 25, the feast day of the Annunciation, which commemorates the departure from
the Virgin Mary. They passed through a number of islands on their southwest journey,
demonstrating Pigafetta's excellent geographic sense. He identifies places with great care,
providing insightful information about their routes, such as Cenalo (perhaps Leyte) and
Hiunanghan (Hinunangan Bay). After anchoring in Mazaua on Holy Thursday, they spent
seven days there before moving on to the Camotes Islands and eventually Cebu.The
provides a clear picture of their landing and first experiences. They first spotted Zamal
Island on March 16, 1521, and landed on Homonhon the following day. They named the
entire archipelago the "Islands of Saint Lazarus," matching the Gospel reading for the
day. The feast day of the Annunciation, which falls on March 25, commemorates their
departure from Homonhon and Pigafetta's near-death experience, which is credited to the
Virgin Mary's intervention. This sacred thread continues. They passed through a number
sense. He identifies places with great care, providing insightful information about their
routes, such as Cenalo (perhaps Leyte) and Hiunanghan (Hinunangan Bay). After
anchoring in Mazaua on Holy Thursday, they spent seven days there before moving on to
Using the maps from Pigafetta's report, Bernad (1981) came to the following
conclusions:
1. East of the island of Bohol is the little island of Mazaua, also known as Mazzana
on the map, which is located off the southwest tip of the bigger island of Ceilon,
or Southern Leyte. It is located close to the route that connects Bohol with
bigger island that we now refer to as Mindanao. This is the same island that also
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was excited to see Mazaua from "Camotuan" and his
comrades, who were from the settlement of Cabalian near the southeast tip of the island
of Leyte. This eagerness was evident during his voyage. The natives led the Legazpi's
ships as they went around theThe island is known as "Panae" (Panaon), which lies off the
coast of Mazaua and is divided from Leyte by a small strait. However, because of the
Portuguese pillage that took place during the four decades between Legazpi and
Magellan, the island's inhabitants were hostile. They left Mazaua and traveled to
Camiguing with the intention of traveling to Butuan on the Vindaano island, but they
were forced to travel to Bohol due to windy conditions. Consequently, it can be said that
the Legazpi-led expedition was aware that Butuan was an island in Mindanao and that
● Geographical Features
Excavations of balanghai boats, burial sites, pottery, gold jewelry, and processing
equipment on Pinamanculan's eastern side indicate a bustling village and harbor several
centuries ago. The delta of the Butuan River has changed throughout time; in 1521, a
City—merged with the mainland. Limasawa is only 698 hectares, while another
contemporaneous record of the journey claims that Mazaua is 3–4 leagues in diameter
Limasawa, as follows:
○ The bonfire: The night before they landed, the explorers were drawn to the light
emanating from it. In Butuanon, the word "masao" literally means "bright," and
this may have something to do with the tradition of preparing rice flakes over
open flames to commemorate a harvest. On the other hand, Limasawa lacks rice
fields.
○ Balanghai: It has been reported that the king arrived at their ship in a "balanghai,"
with the local king. The balanghai was a key aspect of the account of their stay in
the first country. There are now nine excavated "balanghai" relics in Butuan. In
history.
○ Abundance of gold: Since gold was the primary form of money in Masao and
proven by both modern gold mining and archeological artifacts like the "Gold
Image of Agusan," Agusan Valley was rich in gold. However, Limasawa has no
reserves of gold.
Once more, the historical sources state that the expedition followed a
west-southwest path and traveled 20 to 25 leagues from Homonhon, where they made
their initial landing, to the location of the first mass. The trip is just around 14.6 leagues,
or half that length, if they had been at Limasawa Island. Moreover, the coast of Southern
Leyte separates the island of Limasawa from Homonhon. The fleet traveled through
"Ceylon (Leyte), Bohol, and Baybay, Catighan, and Canighan" en route to Cebu. The real
distance between Limasawa and Gatighan is just one legua (4 n.m.), but the
Mazaua-Gatighan distance is 20 leguas (80 n. miles) (Pigafetta). The path that motor
vessels currently follow from Cebu to Butuan is nearly identical to the one that the
explorers used to get to Cebu. Even after the explorers arrived in Cebu, the king of Masao
(Colambu) served as their guide, interpreter, and middleman when they encountered the
Cebu king.
called Mazaba. The people are very good, and there we placed a cross upon a mountain
Conclusion
The case studies, in summary, show a more solid basis for the claim that Limasawa
hosted the first Catholic Mass in the Philippines. In spite of contentious assertions and
primary sources, including Pigafetta's notebook, Albo's logbook, and other historical records. In
conclusion, on March 31, 1521, the first holy mass was held on Limasawa Island. The National
Historical Institute (NHI) verified this when Republic Act 2733 was declared, designating the
Philippines. The NHI also noted that Antonio Pigafetta's journal is the most reliable primary
source that provides the strongest evidence for the argument. It should also be noted that
Pigafetta's "Mazaua'' is the island of Limasawa. Furthermore, Butuan's cultural and historical
significance cannot be disregarded, even if it was rejected as the location of the first holy mass.
In addition to being among the first locations Ferdinand Magellan set foot on, it served as an
important trading port of commerce for inter island and possibly foreign trade.
References:
2. Bernad, Miguel (1981). "Butuan or Limasawa: The Site of the First Mass in the
5: 146–154.
3. Diario ó derotero del viage de Magallane desde el cabo se ustn en el Brazil hasta el
regreso a Espana de la nao Victoria, por Frandsco Albo," Document no. xxii n Collecion
de viages y descrubrimientos que hicieron por mar los Españoles desde fines del siglo
XV, Ed. martin Fernandez de Navarrete (reprinted Buenos Aires 1945,5 Vols.) TV,
191-226. As cited in Miguel A. Bernad Butuan or amawa? The Site of the First Mass in
4. Emma Blair and James Alexander Robertson, The Philippine Islands, Vols. 33 and 34, as
cited in Miguel A. Bernad. "Butuan or Limasawa? The Site of the First Mass
III, 1-35.
Henry Edward John Stanley (trans. and ed.), The First Voyage Round the World by
6. "Republic Act No. 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 Thereat,