CASE STUDY 1

Butuan or Limasawa?
Where Did the First Catholic Mass Take Place in the Philippines?
 Introduction

The Holy First Mass marked the birth of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines. It
was held on March 31, 1521 (Eastern Sunday). The mass was led by Father Pedro
de Valderrama. The location of the First mass popularly known as the Birthplace
of the Church in the Philippines. There are two contested places where the first
mass was held, it is Butuan/Masao or Limasawa. There are evidence that prove
where the mass originally held at. It was proven by Antonio Pigafetta, Francisco
Albo and Father Miguel A. Bernard.
 Background

Antonio Pigafetta

He was born around 1491 at Vicenza, Republic of

Venice or was known as Italy. He died around 1531.
He studied astronomy, geography and cartography.
He is an Italian scholar and explorer from the
Republic of Venice. He travelled with the
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his
crew on their first Voyage around the world. He
was one of 18 men returned to Spain in 1522
 Masao

1872: A monument to commemorate the site of the first mass on the Philippines
was erected in butuan

1953: The people in Butuan asked the Philippine Historical Committee to

rehabilitate the monument or place a marker on the site.

On the basis of this objection the monument was re erected but the marble slab
stating it was the site of first mass was removed.
 Masao
Zaide identified Masao in Butuan as the location of the first mass. The basis
Zaide’s clain is the diary of Antonio Pigafetta, Chronicle of Magellan’s Voyage.
 Limasawa
Jaime de Veyra stated that the first mass was celebrated in Limasawa not in
Butuan.

Historian Pablo Pastells stated by the footnote to Francisco Colin’s Labor

Evangelica but from Limasawa to Cebu

Francisco albo(Pilot of Magellan’s Flagship does not mention the first mass he
writes that they erected a cross on a mountain which overlooked three islands
the west and the southwest.
 Limasawa
James Robertson agreed with Pastells in Footnote that “Mazua was actually
Limasawa.

In the authentic account of Pigafetta, the port was not in Butuan but an island
named Mazua(Masawa)

Father Bernard studied all the Pigafetta’s maps. Which place in Mazua off the
Leyte. A chech with the modern maps will show that this Jibes with Limasawa
and not Masao or Butuan
 Limasawa
Jaime de Veyra stated that the first mass was celebrated in Limasawa not in
Butuan.

Historian Pablo Pastells stated by the footnote to Francisco Colin’s Labor

Evangelica but from Limasawa to Cebu

Francisco albo(Pilot of Magellan’s Flagship does not mention the first mass he
writes that they erected a cross on a mountain which overlooked three islands
the west and the southwest.
 Evidence for Masao
1. The name of the place
2. The route from Homonhon
3. the latitude position
4. The geographical features
a. The Bonfire
b. The Balanghai
c. House
d. Abundance of Gold
e. A development site
 Evidence for Limasawa
1. The evidence of Albo’s log-book
2. The Evidence of Pigafetta
a. Pigafetta’s testimony regarding the route
b. The evidence of Pigafetta’s map
c. The two native kings
d. The seven days at “Mazua”
e. An argument from omission
3. Summary of the evedence of Albo
4. Confirmatory evidence fom the Legazpi Expedition
 QUIZ
(Identification)
1. Who was the father that
led the first Mass Catholic
in the Philippines?
 2. When was the first
Catholic Mass happened?
 3. The Holy first mass is
marked as the__________ in
the Philippines
 4-5 Name the two
contested places where the
first mass was held.
 6. He was one of the 18
men who returned to spain in
1522.
7. Pilot of Magellan’s
Flagship
8. Mazua was actually
__________
 9. He studied all the
Pigafetta’s maps, which place in
Mazau off the Southern tip of the
larger island of Leyte
 10. It is where the First
Catholic Mass happened.
11-13 Give 3 Evidence for
Limasawa
14-15 Give 2 Evidence for
Masao/ Butuan
Checking....
 Answers
1. Father Pedro de Valderrama
2. March 31, 1521, Eastern Sunday
3. Birth of Roman Catholicism
4-5 Butuan/Masao or Limasawa
6. Antonio Pigafetta
7. Francisco Albo
8. Limasawa
9. Father Miguel Bernard
10. Limasawa
11-13 Give 3 evidence for Limasawa
14-15 Give 2 evidence for Masao/Butuan
THANKYOU