READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

First Mass : Limawasa or Masao

Antonio Pigafetta

 Historian of Ferdinand Magellan

 According to him, the first mass held at Limasawa on Mar. 31, 1521
 Magellan ordered the planting of Holy Cross on the top of the hill overlooking the sea
 “After the cross was erected in position, each of us repeated the Pater Noster and an
Ave Maria. And adored the cross: the Datu Kolambu and Siagu did the same.”
 Two years after the expedition, he wrote the book The Navigation and Discovery
of Upper India and gave the copy of his diary to King Charles V
 James Robertson – translated the book into English and gave a new title – Magellan’s
Voyage Round the World
 RA No. 2733 – was enacted in commemoration of the birth of Christianity declaring
Limasawa as the first site of the first mass in the country

Sonia Zaide

 Contested the said law about the first mass

 Her arguments are based on Pigafetta’s diary
 Cong. Ching Plaza – from Agusan Del Norte filed a bill in congress in 1995 contesting
Limasawa’s claim
 They asserted Butuan as the first site of the mass
 The issue was referred to National Historical Institute (NHC) for further study and
recommendation
 Historian of Ferdinand Magellan

Cavite Mutiny

JOSE MONTERO Y VIDAL and GOV. GEN. RAFAEL IZQUIERDO

 Their versions were almost the same except that Gov. Gen. Izquierdo’ s version is
more biting
 In his document the term “revolution” – an attempt of the Filipinos to topple down
the Spanish Government ; on the other hand Izquierdo implicate the Filipino priests
who are active in their secularization of parishes
 According to them, the main reason of revolution is the removal of the privileges of
the workers in the arsenal – exemption of taxes for tribute and polo y servicio
 Also, they pointed out the following : the revolution is a black propaganda by the
native priests , the books & pamphlets containing liberal and democratic articles have
reached the Philippine shore, the motives of native priests
 Both of them believes that, Cavite mutiny was planned earlier with conspiracy of the
following educated Filipinos, mestizos, native lawyers, citizens of Manila & Cavite
 Jan. 20, 1872 – feast of Our Lady of Loreto, mistook the explosion coming from the
fireworks as a signal of revolution
 The execution of GOMBURZA
 Life imprisonment for – Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, Antonio Ma. Regodor, Jose Basa
and Pio Basa and other lawyers
TRINIDAD PARDO DE TAVERA

 To him, the Cavite mutiny was just a mutiny of the natives, soldiers, and workers in
Cavite Arsenal who were dishearted because of the removal of the privileges
 He blamed Izquierdo for his unjust policy
 Jan. 20, 1872 – about 200 men headed by Sergeant Lamadrid rose arms and
assassinated the commanding officer and Spanish officers
 He was convinced that Izquierdo used this attempt to toplle down the Spanish
Government and presented it as a blown- up conspiracy involving not only the local
soldiers but also the natives from Manila and Cavite

EMMANUEL PLAUCHUT

 He published the Revue des Deux Mondes – it affirms Tavera’s version

 The cause of mutiny is the discontentment of the arsenal workers and soldiers from
Izquierdo’s policy
 Jan. 20, 1872 – when they received their salary they found out the taxes and other
corresponding fees, on that night they launched their mutiny
 His accounts focusing on the execution of GOMBURZA

Cry of Pugad Lawin

 Five dates of Cry of Pugad Lawin – Aug. 20, 23, 24, 25, 26 ; places are : Balintawak,
Pugad Lawin, Kangkong, Bahay Toro and Pasong Tamo

TEODORO AGONCILLO

 For him it was Aug. 23, 1896 at Pugad Lawin

 His claim started the confusion for scholars, historians and students

AMBETH OCAMPO

 He averred the claim of Agoncillo based on secondary or tertiary source of history

 According to him, there are discrepancies between Bonifacio’s manuscript and
Agoncillo’s transcription
 He also asserted that the Tagalog translation of Bonifacio’s paper are in the
possession of Epifanio Delos Santos
 Thus, the claim of Agoncillo is based on Pio Valenzuela’s account

ARTURO VALENZUELA

 He was Pio Valenzuela's grandson, noted that the First Cry of Balintawak held on
Aug. 23 at Tandang Sora’s house
 They moved to Malanday on Aug. 26 (the Spaniards found out that there are no
Katipunero’s in the place)
 However, his claim became doubtful because of inconsistency of statements and
dates given