First Mass

The first Holy Mass conducted by Father Pedro de Valderrama held on March 31,
1521, Easter Sunday, was marked as the basis for the introduction or the beginning of
Christianity in the Philippines. However, many controversies arose in connection with the
place where the first mass was actually held. Several arguments and debates are still ongoing
in search of the real and factual information to where the site of the first mass took place.
Many believed that Limasawa, at the tip of Southern Leyte is the location of this
controversial historical religious rite, yet this is contested by some who claims that the first
mass was held at Masao, Butuan.
Several historians have long opposed the idea that Limasawa was the location of the
first catholic mass in the country. Sonia Zaide, a historian, identified Mazaua in Butuan as the
location of the first Christian Mass. The premise of Zaide's case is the journal of Antonio
Pigafetta, who recorded the voyage of Ferdinand Magellan. In 1995, Congresswoman Ching
Plaza of Agusan del Norte in Butuan City filed a bill in congress questioning the Limasawa
hypothesis and proclaiming the site of the first mass was really Butuan. The Philippine
congress introduced the issue to the National Historical Institute for it to consider the issue
and suggest an authentic finding.
National Historical Institute (NHI), following a two-year study of the issue, has
actually come up with a conclusion. In 1996, it reaffirmed the prevalent view that the first
Holy Mass was commemorated in Limasawa Island on March 31, 1521. Evidently, the NHI
acknowledged the journal written by Antonio Pigafetta, as the only reliable and valid
essential source that generates the best proof and confirmation of the celebration of the first
Christian Mass in Philippines (Danao, 2015). In spite of the declaration made by NHI, the
issue however stayed unsettled and questionable to several.
People who claim Butuan as the site of the first mass based their evidences with
regards to the name of the place. They believe that Mazaua is similar to Masao in Butuan.
Furthermore, they based their arguments from the route of Homonhon, and the geographical
features. These features include the bonfire, balanghai, houses, abundance of gold, and
developed settlement (Decelio, 2018).
According to an article in Amazing Butuan, a law was passed without executive

approval in June 19, 1960 called Republic Act no. 2733 or the Limasawa law. The legislative
order affirmed the site in Magallanes, Limasawa Island in the province of Leyte, wherein the
first mass in the Philippines was conducted is hereby acknowledged a national shrine to
honor the beginning of Christianity in the Philippines. However, this act was criticized by
Mr. Greg Hontiveros, a local historian. He emphasized how wrongful the act of Philippine
government was, in implementing or making history a law.
In connection to the declaration of the Limasawa law, basis and evidences in favor of
Limasawa were also revealed. This includes the following: (1) The evidence of Albo’s Log-
Book, (2) The Evidence of Pigafetta which comprises of Pigafetta’s testimony regarding the
route; the evidence of Pigafetta’s map; the two native kings; the seven days at “Mazaua”; and
an argument from omission, (3) Summary of the evidence of Albo and Pigafetta, (4)
Confirmatory evidence from the Legazpi expedition (Decilio, 2018).
Taking the proof of Albo’s log-book along with that from Pigafetta’s record, it shows
that Magellan’s voyage entered Philippines, south of the island Samar and stopped at
Homonhon where they remained for seven days. Then, they cruised westbound towards Leyte
and then southwards corresponding to the eastern coast of that island and that of the
connecting island of Panaon. They stopped at the eastern shore of a small island called
Mazaua where they stay put for a week and had the first mass. Moreover, the island of
Mazaua lies at latitude of nine and two-thirds degrees north in which its position and latitude
match to that of the island of Limasawa, whose southern tip lies at 9 degrees and 54 minutes
north. Also, from Mazaua, the journey continued north westwards through Canigao channel
between Bohol and Leyte and no point in that route indicated that the expedition did go to
Butuan.
In my viewpoint, based from what I have read and learned, I believe that the first
mass was held in Limasawa Island. The evidences revealed in favor of Limasawa and not of
Masao in Butuan as the site of first mass are strong. As declared in the Republic Act 2733,
the first mass took place in the island of Limasawa. However, Butuan is a riverine settlement
situated near Agusan River. If the first mass really occurred in Butuan, Antonio Pigafetta
should have mentioned about a river delta and not an an island surrounded by sea.
In conclusion, though both sides provided their evidences, proofs for Limasawa as the
site of the first mass are substantial. Meanwhile, the opposition showed some weak
supporting details and evidences. Nonetheless, for me, Limasawa should be considered as the
site of first mass unless stronger evidences are provided by the opposition.
References:
Danao, E. (2015). Where was the first Mass in the Philippines held? The Manila Times.
Retrieved from https://www.manilatimes.net/2015/01/23/opinion/columnists/first-mass-
philippines-held/
Decilio, R. (2018). Site of First Mass in the Philippines. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/chad4510/site-offirstmassinthephilippines-history14
Site of the First Mass, After 488 years Controversy Continues [Blog Post]. (2009). Amazing
Butuan. Retrieved from http://amazingbutuan.blogspot.com/2009/04/site-of-first-mass-
after-488-years.html

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The first Holy Mass conducted by Father Pedro de Valderrama held on March 31,

According to an article in Amazing Butuan, a law was passed without executive

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