Maasin

Maasin, officially the City of Maasin or simply Maasin City, is the capital city of Southern Leyte, Philippines. A fourth class city with 70 barangays, it is located on the western part of the province with land area of 21,171 hectares (52,310 acres). According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 81,250.

Maasin City is the commercial and religious center of Southern Leyte and the south-western part of Leyte Island. On August 10, 2000, Maasin was converted into a city. The Diocese of Maasin was founded on August 14, 1968.

History

The island of Limasawa in Southern Leyte carved a very significant place in Philippine history. In 1521, a Portuguese-born Spanish explorer and navigator, Ferdinand Magellan and his crew came ashore and celebrated the first Roman Catholic Mass on the island. Incidental to the historic event, Magellan made peace with two Filipino rulers, Rajah Kolambu and Rajah Siani who subsequently were converted to Christianity. A marker notes the spot on Limasawa where their blood compact of friendship and alliance was sealed.