ACTIVITY: POSITION PAPER

THE FIRST MASS SITE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Group 3

Barbosa, Clarice
Catapang, Ray Jomar
Divinagracia, Jodi Nicole
Madrid, Jaika Remina
Mosca, Caresse Janeth
Prado, Angel Mae
Samosa, Jailyn
 The First Mass Site in the Philippines is one of the events that began the uprising of
Catholics in our country. Most Filipinos became Catholics and started to devote themselves to this
religion by believing in God. There were many conflicts about where the first mass was held, some
said that the first mass was held in Masao, and some said it was held in Limasawa. In the 19th
century, most people believed that the mass was held in Butuan but as time went by other people
believed that the mass was held elsewhere and not in Butuan. The mass was ordered by Magellan
and was officiated by Father Pedro Valderrama. Anna Regidor (2021) stated that the first-ever
easter mass in the Philippines was held on March 31, 1521, on Mazaua, known today as the
Limasawa Island of Leyte. It was said to be the conclusion of an expert on Spanish medieval
history and the head of the reference service at the Archivo General de Indias in Seville, Spain,
Dr. Antonio Sanchez de Mora. Mora grouped the sources into different categories. Many accounts
stated different places. Some of the sources were the testimonies of the survivors who managed to
get back to Spain and some are second sources that were translated. We have the claims of
Francisco Albo, Antonio Pigafetta, and other people that joined the journey of Magellan. Acording
to the Philippine Historical Committee/Limasawa Historian; Limasawa. (2015) Antonio
Pigafetta’s “Primo Viaggio Intorno al Mondo” which consists of Ferdinand Magellan’s voyage
around the world stated that when the Spaniards landed on the island the natives there didn't have
a name for the island due to a misunderstanding the island was named Limasawa. So based on
Pigafetta’s account two important events took place in Limasawa, the blood compact and the first
mass. However, there were still controversies about where exactly the first mass took place as
some historians believe that it took place in Butuan relating it to Miguel Lopez de Legazpi’s
expedition in Butuan but after a thorough investigation, it was said to be a mistake and Pigafetta
was referring to Mazaua and not Butuan. These are some of the accounts about where the first
mass was held. Many people have different beliefs about where the first mass was held. There
were many different testimonies, accounts, and claims about this event. Nevertheless, it doesn't
change the fact that this event made a huge impact on our history and mostly on our religion.

The first mass in the Philippines has remained a controversial issue, with rival accounts
pointing to Homonhon Island and Limasawa Island among other possibilities. The oral traditions
and historical records are helpful but they are inadequate because of political and cultural
prejudices and the absence of conclusive archeological evidence calls for a methodical
investigation of all assertions. It is thus too soon to confirm any one place as the site of the first
mass; this emphasizes that it is essential to keep an inquisitive mind while studying history and
relying on facts.

The first mass in the Philippines is firmly believed to have occurred on Homonhon Island,
however there are competing historical narratives and archaeological findings that call into
question this claim. Initially, although oral traditions are valuable, they may have errors or
embellishments with time. It is still questionable to claim Homonhon Island as the definitive site
in the absence of supporting archeological evidence that connects the island to the events of the
first mass.

Limasawa Island and other possible sites that have also been suggested as the location of
the initial mass are ignored by this claim. The historical significance of Limasawa in relation to
Magellan's landing and the spread of Christianity cannot be understated. It has a strong case for
being taken into consideration as the actual location of the first mass because it is backed by
archeological evidence and is mentioned in a number of historical accounts.

Despite Homonhon’s historical importance as a landing site for Magellan’s expedition, the
claim for the first mass taking place on Homonhon Island lacks substantial evidence. It is
impossible to overlook the political and cultural background of the claim that the first mass was
held on Homonhon Island. There could be incentives to favor one place over another for political
or economic benefit in an area where tourism and sense of community play major roles. As a result,
before drawing any firm conclusions, it is imperative to examine historical event claims critically
and take into account all relevant data.

Regardless of the Pre-Butuan's tremendous counterclaims, the stated and recorded files
clearly show that the first mass took place in Limasawa. The reason why, when asked where the
first mass took place, people would respond Limasawa. There are various opinions concerning
this, but based on the data offered, Limasawa is regarded the location of the first Mass. To
understand further and persuade people, there exists evidence that the first mass was held at
Limasawa.
 It is stated in the travelog of Antonio Pigafetta that the first Easter Mass in the Philippines
was held in Mazua, also known as Limasawa Island of Leyte on March 31, 1521, and was ordered
by Magellan and officiated by Father Pedro Valderrama. Additionally, Mr. Francisco Albo, who
was believed to be one of 18 survivors gave a clearer and more detailed description of the
construction of the cross in Limasawa. According to him, the three islands in the west and
southwest of Limasawa may be seen from the hill, which corresponds to the location of the
Limasawa cross. Unlike Masao Butuan, which only shows one island. And this is where the
National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) stood in, claiming that the first mass
held in the Philippines occurred in Limasawa. Furthermore, the law, specifically "The Republic
Act 2733," states that on June 19, 1960, Limasawa was designated to be the site of the first mass,
as claimed by historian Sonia Zoide based on Antonio Pigafetta's travelog..

The first Catholic mass in the Philippines was studied on location by the National Historical
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in 1971. This investigation was based on the testimonies
of Spanish naval engineer Ignacio Fernandez Vial and merchant marine captain Jose Luis Igarte,
who claimed to be the first Catholic mass witnesses in the Philippines, and the accounts of naval
historian Samuel Eliot Morison and Colombian historian Mauricio Obregon. However, after
receiving demands from multiple groups for dealing with the controversy, the NHCP relaunched
the investigation in 2018. The Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan, Italy has an Italian
manuscript that is kept there that only identifies Mazaua as the location of the Easter Sunday Mass
in 1521 and not in Butuan.

The First Mass Site in the Philippines is a controversial issue, with several reports
indicating different places. Some say it took place at Masao or Limasawa, while others claim it
happened in Butuan. It is crucial to critically examine historical event claims and consider all
relevant data before drawing firm conclusions. Dr. Antonio Sanchez de Mora, an expert in Spanish
medieval history, divided sources into categories such as survivors' testimony and translations.
According to Antonio Pigafetta, a historian of the Philippine Historical Committee/Limasawa, the
first mass was held on Mazaua, today known as Limasawa Island in Leyte. However, there is still
debate over the actual location, with some historians claiming Butuan as the site. Homonhon Island
is often regarded as the canonical site of the first mass, however contradictory historical narratives
and archeological evidence call this claim into doubt. Limasawa Island has a strong argument for
being regarded the true location because of its historical significance in relation to Magellan's
arrival and the introduction of Christianity. Despite the political and cultural context of the claim,
the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) says that the first mass was held
at Limasawa. Historian Sonia Zoide also stated that the first mass was held on June 19, 1960, at
Limasawa, citing Pigafetta's travelogue. Even if the arguments for Homonhon Island being the
location of the first mass in the Philippines are strong, it is critical to recognize the validity of
competing theories and supporting data. It is too soon to declare with certainty that Homonhon
Island is the right location for this important historical event in the absence of convincing
archeological evidence and in light of any potential biases at work.
References

Tan Jr, F. M. Homonhon Island the Correct Site of the First Mass in the Philippines: A.

https://universepg.com/public/storage/journal-
pdf/Homonhon%20island%20the%20correct%20site%20of%20the%20first%20mass%20in%20t
he%20Philippines.pdf

Anna Regidor (2021) Limasawa vs. Butuan: The First Easter Mass
https://upd.edu.ph/limasawa-vs-butuan-the-first-easter-mass/

Philippine Historical Committee/Limasawa Historian; Limasawa. (2015). In V. Almario (Ed.),

Southern Leyte Official Website. (n.d.). Limasawa History. Retrieved from