Republic of the Philippines

University of Cabuyao
(PAMANTASAN NG CABUYAO)
College of Business, Accountancy and Administration
Katapatan Mutual Homes, Brgy. Banay-banay, City of Cabuyao, Laguna, Philippines 4025

HIS101
READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Activity Midterm

Name: LIPATA, KATRICIA PEARL L. Section: 1BSA- B

Date: APRIL 22, 2024 Score:

The Site of the First Mass: Is It Limasawa or Butuan?

Our country is rich in history, and full of controversy. One of the controversies and conflicting views in

the Philippines was the Site of The First Mass: Is it in Limasawa, Leyte or is it in Masao, Butuan? This

historic event marks the beginning of christianity in our land which Magellan ordered to be celebrated on

the 31st of March, 1521 that was officiated by Father Pedro Valderrama, the Andalusian chaplain of the

fleet, the only priest then. This first Easter Mass in the Philippines was an important turning point in the

history of Philippine Christianity, and there is no doubt that the mass was held on the island of Mazaua,

specifically Limasawa Island, Leyte, rather than Masao, Butuan.

There had been disputes and debates over where the First Mass in the Philippines actually occurred.

According to Pigafetta's book, Chronicles of Magellan's Expedition, the First Mass was held on March 31,

1521 in Mazaua. There were allegations that the First Mass occurred in Limasawa, in the southern portion

of Leyte, other claims that the Mazaua referenced by Pigafetta might be found in Masao, Butuan City.

There are evidences to support each claim; nonetheless, my stand in this matter is that Limasawa was the

place of the first Mass.

In Francisco Albo’s log book, evidence was found to support my stand. Francisco Albo, a pilot in

Magellan's ship "Trinidad," is a key figure in the circumnavigation of the world. He kept a diary during his

circumnavigation, detailing their journey from Humunu island to the coast of Seilani or Ceylon, then

southwest to Mazava or Mazaua. This island, located at a latitude of 9 and two-thirds degrees North,

corresponds to the small island of Limasawa, Southern Leyte. They planted a cross on a mountain-top for

mass preparation, and from there, they were shown three islands to the west and southwest. However, this

does not fit the coast of Butuan, which has no islands to the south and southwest.
 Republic of the Philippines

University of Cabuyao
(PAMANTASAN NG CABUYAO)
College of Business, Accountancy and Administration
Katapatan Mutual Homes, Brgy. Banay-banay, City of Cabuyao, Laguna, Philippines 4025

Another evidence is in Pigaffeta’s Map, Pigafetta's maps, although not cartographically useful, were

instrumental in identifying islands mentioned in his narrative and establishing their positions. The third

map in Blair and Robertson's volume 33, titled "Mazanna," is particularly relevant for our evidence.

Mazaua, spelled "Mazanna," is located off the southwestern tip of Ceilon and east of Bohol. The map

suggests that Mazaua is roughly equivalent to Limasawa's actual position, making it impossible to identify

with Butuan, as Butuan is situated on another island called Mindanao, as shown in the second map.

Therefore, Mazaua cannot be identified with Butuan. In Piggafetta’s route, the expedition left Homonhon

island on March 25, 1521, and traveled west southwest, passing through four islands: Cenalo, Hiunanghan,

Ibusson, and Abarien. It is possible that "Cenalo" is a misspelling of "Ceilon" or "Seilani," now known as

Leyte. Pigafetta's intention was to sail westward to Mazaua, where they anchored for seven days. It is

possible that they held the mass in Mazaua, as they left on April 4, 1521, and then went to Zubu or Cebu.

The narratives of Piggafetta provides a basis for determining the location of Mazaua. Pigafetta's

narrative indicates that they stayed at Mazaua for seven days, raising concerns regarding their behavior

during that time. On March 28, 1521, they anchored near Mazaua, where they had seen a light the previous

night. On March 29, they dispatched an interpreter to the monarch with food supplies, and he responded

enthusiastically. Pigafetta and his colleagues dined and drank with the local king and his son on Good

Friday, eating meat. On March 30, they left their hosts and returned to their ships. On March 31, Magellan

dispatched a priest and men to Mazaua to arrange a mass, which was held there. The cross was placed on

the tallest peak in the presence of the two Kings. Just by how it was stated in the account of Pigafetta, the

mass was celebrated on the island of Mazaua and not in Butuan.

The presence of two Rajahs, Raia Colambu and Raia Siaui, at Mazaua, is evidenced by Pigafetta's

narrative. Raia Siaui, a visitor from Butuan, was described as the finest-looking man he had seen.

However, it is important to note that Raia Siaui's territory was on another island, Calagan. When the kings

wanted to see each other, they would hunt on the island where they were, Mazaua. This evidence suggests

that Mazaua could not have been in Butuan.

 Republic of the Philippines

University of Cabuyao
(PAMANTASAN NG CABUYAO)
College of Business, Accountancy and Administration
Katapatan Mutual Homes, Brgy. Banay-banay, City of Cabuyao, Laguna, Philippines 4025

An argument in omission also rises as evidence, If Mazaua were from Butuan, an omission will be

created in Pigafetta's account which can be difficult to explain. First of all, Butuan is a riverine settlement.

It is situated on the Agusan River. It was claimed that the first mass happened at Masao, a beach in the

delta of that river. If the expedition were at that delta and the first mass was celebrated there, why was it

not stated in the narrative of Pigafetta that there was a river? Yes, they went to Butuan but after Magellan's

death. The fact that there was no mention of the river, it can now support Pigafetta's account of their seven

days stay at Mazaua, and therefore Mazaua was an island surrounded by sea, not a river delta.

The evidence from the geography of Mazaua and Limasawa, Magellan and his crew were coasting

southward down the eastern coast of Leyte with Hibuson Island on his left. When his ships rounded the tip

of Panaon, the wind started to blow westward from the Pacific. Since it was late March in the Philippines,

the east wind was strong, which they called "Dumagsa" by the people of Limasawa. Because of this wind,

Magellan's ships would find themselves going west or southwest toward the island of Limasawa where

they anchored off. At this point, a visit to Limasawa will convince the traveler that Mazaua and Limasawa

fit the description of Pigafetta to Mazaua. On the northern part of Limasawa were almost all hills with the

slopes dripping steeply to the sea. From one of those hills, the cross could be planted which everybody

could see. And from the top of those hills, islands can be seen to the south, to the west and to the east.

From the description of the geography of Limasawa. In the Southern part of Leyte, the Island Limasawa is

still referred to as "Masaoa" by the fishermen.

However, there were also evidences that supports the claim of Masao in Butuan as the site of the First

Mass. The locals, church and historians in Butuan City asserted and filed a petition that it was in Butuan

where the site of the First Mass. According to Butuan City Cultural and Historical Foundation Inc.

(BCHFI) that there were balanghai boats discovered in 1976 near Masao River and believed that it was

used as trade and transport people for worship services. By contrast, the Limasawa has no significant

archeological relics or balanghai tradition. The Philippine Government endorsed the Balanghai Shrine to

UNESCO as a "World Historical and Cultural Heritage Site '' because of its contribution to ancient culture

and history.
 Republic of the Philippines

University of Cabuyao
(PAMANTASAN NG CABUYAO)
College of Business, Accountancy and Administration
Katapatan Mutual Homes, Brgy. Banay-banay, City of Cabuyao, Laguna, Philippines 4025

Claims and a number of pieces of evidence point to Masao Butuan as the location of the first mass.

Based on a thorough and credible account of the Magellan expedition into the Philippines, which is also

the only reputable original source of information about the celebration of the first Christian mass, it was

determined that the first mass took place in Masao. Although there is evidence about the aforementioned

two islands—Butuan and Lumasawa—the assertion of Butuan is supported by the discovery of ten

Balanghai boats close to the Masao River, which the native residents of Butuan utilized long before the

Spanish arrived.

In conclusion, the first Catholic mass that commemorated the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines

took place on Limasawa or Mazau island, not in Butuan, based on the evidence I have gathered. For the

maps, instructions, and narrative statement, Pigafetta, Albo, and Legaspi's expedition book was the source.

Pigafetta was one of the witnesses to these events and he documented important details about Magellan's

voyage on the Philippines. One piece of information that helps identify the locations of multiple islands is

the log book kept by Francisco Albo. He was one of the survivors of the Magellan expedition who made it

back home after circumnavigating the world. Primary sources are used in each of these examples. A

primary source is a unique item or document that is the initial information or first-hand knowledge of the

subject being investigated. In other words, the proof is valid, accurate, and simply the truth presented; it is

not just a hunch, speculation, or creation of unidentified people. Being a witness to every possible incident

helps the case to be strengthened.