MODULE 3: CONTROVERSIES

AND CONFLICTING VIEWS IN

• Lesson outcomes
Discuss relevant issues to solve the controversy on the site of the first mass.
The First Mass in the Philippines
The birth of Roman Catholicism in the country was signified by the celebration of the first
catholic mass in the Philippines March 31,1521, after Ferdinand Magellan landed on the
Philippines which he named then as the Archipelago of St. Lazarus. However, the location of
the mass is still shrouded with controversy. Originally it was believed that the mass was
celebrated in the island of limasawa ,in Leyte, but the discovery of the Golden Tara in Butuan
made some Philippine historian question the veracity of the Limasawa location. As recounted
by pigafetta the first Christian Mass celebrated was made in the island which he called
“Mazaua”
In 1996,the Philippine congress directed the National Historical Institute(NHI) to recommend
a historical finding. The panel and the NHI reaffirmed in 1998 that the place is Limasawa, but
the controversy is still alive today.
 DISCUSS

The popularity of knowing where “firsts” happened in history has been an easy way to
trivialized history, this case study will not focus on the significance (or lack therefore) of the
sight of the first catholic mass in the Philippines, but rather, use it as a historiographical
exercise in the utilization of evidence and interpretation In reading historical events.
Butuan has long been believed as the site of the first mass . This has been the case for three
centuries, culminating in the erection of the monument in 1872 near Agusan river, which
Commemorates the expeditions arrival and celebration of Mass on 8 April 1521, the Butuan
claim has been based on a rather elementary reading of primary source of the event.
It must be noted that there were only two primary sources that historians refers to an
identifying the site of the first mass. One is the log kept by Francisco Albo, a pilot of one of
Magellan’s ship Trinidad. He was one of the 18 survivors who returned with Sebastian Elcano
on the ship Victoria after they circumnavigated the world. The other, and the more complete,
was the account by Antonio Pigafetta , primo viaggo intorno al Mondo (First voyage around
the world). Pigafetta,like Albo, was a member of the Magellan expedition and an eyewitness
of the events, particularly, of the first mass.
 PRIMARY SOURCE: ALBO’S LOG
Source: “Diaro o derotero del viage de Magallanes desde el Cabo se S.Agustin en el Brazil
hastas el regress a Espana de la nao Victoria, escrito pro Francisco Albo.”
On the 16th of March (1521) as they sailed in a westerly course from Ladrones, they saw
lands towards the northwest; but owning too many shallows places they did not approach
it. They found later that its name was Yunagan. They went another small island named
Suluan, and there they anchored. There they saw some canoes but these fled at the
Spaniards approach. This island was at 9 and two – thirds degrees north latitude.
Departing to those two islands, they sailed westward to an uninhabited island of “Gada”
where they took in a supply of food and water. The sea around that island was free from
shallows.(Albo does not give the latitude of this island, but from pigafettas testimony, this
seems to be the “Acquada” or Homomhom, at degrees North latitudes).
From that island, they sailed westward towards a large island name Seilani it was known
to have a gold (Seilani or, as Pigafetta calls it “Ceylon”-was the island of Leyte.)
They turned southwest to a small island called “Mazaua”. The island is also at a latitude of
9 and two-thirds degrees north. The people of that island is very good. There the
Spaniards planted a cross upon a mountain top, and from there they were shown three
islands to the west and south west ,where they were told there was much gold. “they
showed us how the gold was gathered, which came in small pieces like Peas and lentils,”
They sailed down that channel and then turned westward and anchored at the town (la
villa) of Subu where the stayed many days and obtained provision and entered into a
peace pact with the local king.
It must be noted that in Albo’s account, the location of Mazaua fits the locations of the
island Limasawa, at the southern tip of Leyte, 9°54’N. Also Albo does not mention the
first Mass, but only the planting of the cross upon a mountain top from which could seen
three islands to the west and southwest,which also fits the southern end of Limasawa.
 Primary source: Pigafettas testimony on the Route of
Magellan’s Expedition
Source: Emma Blair and James Alexander Robertson .
Saturday,16 March 1521, Magellan’s expedition sighted a “high land” named “Zamal” which
was some 300 leagues westward of Landrones (now the Marianas) islands.
Sunday, March 17, the following day after sighting Zamal island, they landed on another
island which was uninhabited. There they set up two tents for the sick members of the crew
and had a sow killed for them. The named of the island was “Humunu”(Homonhon). This
island was located at 10 degrees North latitude.
On the same day (Sunday,March 17) Magellan named the entire archipelago the “Island of
Saint Lazarus,” the reason being that it was Sunday in the Lenten season when the Gospel
assigned for a mass and the liturgical office was the eleventh chapter of St.John, which tells of
the raising of Lazarus from dead.
Monday, March 18 on that island they saw a boat coming towards them with nine Men in it. An
exchange of gifts was affected . Magellan asked for food supplies and Men went away promising to
bring rice and other supplies in 4 days. There were two spring of water on that island. And Magellan
renamed the island and called “watering place of good omen”.
Friday, March 23, the Men returned and bring food supplies. Magellan’s expedition stayed 8 days at
Homonhon.
Monday, March 25 the expedition weighed anchor and left the island of homonhon. This day was
called the feast of annunciation and therefor “Our Lady's Day”.
Thursday,March 28, they anchored off the island where the Previous night they had seen a light or
bonfire. This island was called “Mazaua “ and they stayed in seven days.
Thursday April 4 they left Mazaua, bound to cebu. They were guided there by the king of Mazaua
who sailed his boat.
Sunday ,April 7 they entered the harbor of “Zubu”( Cebu).
It must be pointed out that both Albo and pigafetta’s testimonies coincide and corroborated each
other . Pigafettas gave more details on what they did during their weeklong stay at Mazaua.
 Primary source: Pigafetta and seven days in Mazaua

Source:Emma Blair and James Alexander Robertson, the Philippine island, vols.33 and 34, as cited in Miguel
A.Bernard, “Butuan or Limasawa?”
Thursday, March 28 they anchor near an island where they had seen a light the night before a small boat (boloto)
came with 8 natives, to whom Magellan threw some trinkets as a present. 2 hrs later 2 large boat (balanghai) came,
in one of which the native king sat under an awning of mats. At Magellan’s invitation some of the natives went up
the Spanish ship and the exchange of gifts was effected. The Spanish ship weighing near the native king’s village.
Friday, March 29 “holy Friday “, Magellan sent his slave interpreter ashore in a small boat to ask the king if he
could provide the expedition with food and supplies and to say that they come as a friends not as enemies. In
reply, king came in a boat with 8 Men went up to Magellan’s ship. An exchange of gifts was made . The native
king with his companion returned ashore, bringing 2 member of Magellan’s expedition as guest for the night .
One of the two was pigafetta.
Saturday, March 30 pigafetta and his companions leave of their host and returned to the ships. But, they spent the
previous evening feasting and drinking with the native king and his son.
Sunday, March 31 early morning Magellan sent a priest ashore with some men to prepare the Mass. Later,
Magellan landed with some fifty Men and Mass was celebrated, which after a cross was venerated. Magellan and
the Spaniards returned ashore to plant the cross on the summit of the highest hill. In attendance, both at the Mass
and the planting of the cross were the king of Mazaua and the king of Butuan.
Sunday, March 31 On the same afternoon, while on the summit of the hill, Magellan asked the
two kings which port he should go to obtain more abundant supplies of food that were
available on the island. They replied that there were three ports to choose from: Ceylon, Zubu,
and Calagan. Of the three, Zubu was the port with the most trade. Magellan said that he
wished to go to Zubu and depart the following morning.
It is clear to note that the first Catholic mass in Mazaua a place in Leyte.
Proclamation of the national shrine
Republic Act 2733 known as Limasawa Law was enacted on June 19, 1960, without executive
approval. A legislative order declared that Magallanes, Limasawa island in the province of
Leyte was the site for the first mass in the Philippines. The place was declared a national
shrine to commemontes the birth of Christianity in the Philippines. Magallanes is located east
of the island of limasawa. Every March 31, Limasawa celebrates the historic and religious
coming of the Spaniards with a cultural presentation and anniversary program dubbed as
sinugdan, meaning “”beginning “. Yet this has no reference at all to a catholic mass being held
on March 31,1521.