THE FIRST MASS IN

THE PHILIPPINES

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

 Introduction
SITE OF THE FIRST MASS
• Exposing and comprehending each
viewpoint in the main materials that
contributed to the debate regarding

IN THE PHILIPPINES
the location of the first mass in the
Philippines.

• Knowing the truth of The First Mass in

the Philippines requires not just
research into the past but also
consideration of many historical
perspectives.

• The objective is to ensure that students

grasp the significance of evidence in
our history.
 First Mass
SITE OF THE FIRST MASS
• The first recorded Catholic Mass in the
Philippines took place on March 31,
1521 (EASTERN SUNDAY).

IN THE PHILIPPINES
• First mass was conducted near the
shores of the island, the First Holy
Mass marked the birth of Roman
Catholicism in the Philippines.

• Magellan ordered a Mass to be

celebrated which was officiated by
Father Pedro Valderrama, the
Andalusian chaplain of the fleet, the
only priest then.
 First Mass
SITE OF THE FIRST MASS
• The first recorded Catholic Mass in the
Philippines took place on March 31,
1521 (EASTERN SUNDAY).

IN THE PHILIPPINES • First mass was conducted near the

shores of the island, the First Holy
Mass marked the birth of Roman
Catholicism in the Philippines.

• Magellan ordered a Mass to be

celebrated which was officiated by
Father Pedro Valderrama, the
Andalusian chaplain of the fleet, the
only priest then.

Father Pedro
 Debate between Limasawa
SITE OFand
THE FIRST MASS
Butuan
IN THE PHILIPPINES
WHERE DID THE FIRST CATHOLIC MASS REALLY TAKE
PLACE IN THE PHILIPPINES?
 Debate between Limasawa
SITE OFand
THE FIRST MASS
Butuan
IN THE PHILIPPINES
• The controversy of the site of the First Easter Sunday Mass in the Philippines in 1521 began in the
last years of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century when historical research by
scholars of that period – both foreign and local – shifted from 7 the traditionally recognized site of
Butuan in Agusan del Norte to Limasawa Island in Leyte. The following is a short history of this
controversy.
• The first official government action taken on this controversy was done through the National
Historical Institute (NHI) in 1980 and was followed by the formation of two more panels in 1995
and 2008. The officially constituted bodies, upon review of the evidence, decided that the site of the
First Easter Sunday Mass was on Limasawa Island.
 Butuan
SITE OF THE FIRST MASS
• Historian Sonia Zaide identified
Masao (also Mazaua) in Butuan as
the location of the first Christian
mass.
IN THE PHILIPPINES
• The basis Zaide’s claim is the diary
of Antonio Pigafetta, chronicle of
Magellan’s voyage.

• In 1872, a monument
commemorating the First Mass in
the Philippines was erected near
the mouth of the Agusan River in
what is today the municipality of
Magallanes. As Jesuit historian,
Miguel Bernad, SJ wrote:
 Butuan
SITE OF THE FIRST MASS
• … that monument is a testimonial
to the tradition that remained
vigorous until the end of the 19th

IN THE PHILIPPINES
century, mainly that Magellan and
his expedition landed at Butuan
and celebrated there the first
Mass ever offered in the
Philippines.
 Butuan
SITE OF THE FIRST MASS
• 1953, the people in Butuan
asked the National Historical

IN THE PHILIPPINES
Commission of the
Philippines to rehabilitate
the monument or place a
marker on the site (Butuan).
Because of this objection
the monument was re
erected but the marble slab
stating it was the site of first
mass was removed.
 Limasawa
SITE OF THE FIRST• Jaime
MASS de Veyra, a former
Governor of Leyte stated
IN THE PHILIPPINES
that the first mass was
celebrated in Limawasa not
in Butuan.

• Francisco Albo ( pilot of

Magellan’s flagship does
not mention the first mass
but he writes that they
erected a cross on a
mountain which overlooked
three islands the west and
the southwest.
 Limasawa
• On June 19, 1960, Republic
Act No. 2733, known as the
"Limasawa Law", was enacted
without executive approval on

RE-EXAMINATION
June 19, 1960. The legislative
fiat declared "The site in
Magallanes, Limasawa Island
in the Province of Leyte,

OF EVIDENCE
where the first Mass in the
Philippines was held is hereby
declared a national shrine to
commemorate the birth of
Christianity in the Philippines.
AMINATION
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE OF EVIDENCE
(LIMASAWA)
• The evidence of Albo’s Log-Book
• 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
“Mazaua”
e) An Argument from
Omission
• Summary of the evidence of Albo and
Pigafetta.
• Confirmatory evidence from the
Legazpi expedition.
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE
(LIMASAWA)
• The evidence of Albo’s Log-Book
• The Evidence of Pigafetta
The evidence of Albo’s Log-Book
-in the Account of Francisco Albo, he did
a) Pigafetta’s testimony not mention about the first mass in the
regarding the route; Philippines but only the planting of the
b)The evidence of Pigafetta’s map cross upon a mountain top from which
c)The two native kings could be seen three islands to the west and
d) The seven days at southwest, where they were told there was
“Mazaua” much gold. This also fits the southern end of
e) An Argument from Limasawa.
Omission
• Summary of the evidence of Albo and
Pigafetta.
• Confirmatory evidence from the
Legazpi expedition.
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE
(LIMASAWA)
• The evidence of Albo’s Log-Book
• The Evidence of Pigafetta
The Evidence of Pigafetta (Pigafetta’s
testimony regarding the route)
a) Pigafetta’s testimony -In Pigafetta testimony regarding the route of
their travel, they had stated for seven days on
regarding the route; an island called Mazaua. They have traveled
b)The evidence of Pigafetta’s map from the coast of Leyte towards an island that
c)The two native kings lies in a latitude of nine and two-thirds towards
d) The seven days at the Arctic Pile. When we match this to the maps
“Mazaua” drawn by Pigafetta, Mazaua is a small island
e) An Argument from which lies off the southwestern tip of the larger
Omission island of Ceilon, now Southern Leyte, and is to
• Summary of the evidence of Albo and the east of the island of Bohol. This position lies
Pigafetta. roughly on the actual position of the island of
• Confirmatory evidence from the Limasawa. It cannot be Butuan since it lies on a
much larger island
Legazpi expedition.
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE
(LIMASAWA)
• The evidence of Albo’s Log-Book
• The Evidence of Pigafetta
The Evidence of Pigafetta (The two native
kings )
a) Pigafetta’s testimony -According to Antonio Pigafetta, the mass was
held on Easter Sunday, on an island called
regarding the route;
“Mazaua.” Two native chieftains were in
b)The evidence of Pigafetta’s map
attendance, the rajah of Mazaua, and the rajah
c)The two native kings of Butuan.
d) The seven days at
“Mazaua”
e) An Argument from
Omission
• Summary of the evidence of Albo and
Pigafetta.
• Confirmatory evidence from the
Legazpi expedition.
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE
(LIMASAWA)
• The evidence of Albo’s Log-Book
• The Evidence of Pigafetta
The Evidence of Pigafetta (The seven days at
“Mazaua” )
-1. Thursday, 28 March.- an exchange of effected
a) Pigafetta’s testimony 2. Friday, 29 March.- Another exchange of gifts was
regarding the route; made.
b)The evidence of Pigafetta’s map 3. Saturday, 30 March.- Pigafetta and his companion
c)The two native kings took leave of their hosts and rreturned
to the ships.
d) The seven days at 4. Sunday, 31 March.- "Easter Sunday Mass"
“Mazaua” 5. Sunday, 31 March.- A plan of leaving Mazaua
e) An Argument from going to Zubu
Omission 6. Monday, 1 April.- Magellan sent men ashore to
help with the harvest
• Summary of the evidence of Albo and 7. Tuesday, 2 April, and Wednesday, 3 April,- work
Pigafetta. on the harvest
• Confirmatory evidence from the 8. Tuesday, 4 April.- leave Mazaua, bound to Cebu
Legazpi expedition.
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE
(LIMASAWA)
• The evidence of Albo’s Log-Book
• The Evidence of Pigafetta
The Evidence of Pigafetta (An Argument
from Omission)
a) Pigafetta’s testimony - Mazaua was an island surrounded by sea,
regarding the route; not a river delta.
b)The evidence of Pigafetta’s map
c)The two native kings
d) The seven days at
“Mazaua”
e) An Argument from
Omission
• Summary of the evidence of Albo and
Pigafetta.
• Confirmatory evidence from the
Legazpi expedition.
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE
(LIMASAWA)
• The evidence of Albo’s Log-Book
• The Evidence of Pigafetta
Summary of the evidence of Albo and
Pigafetta
a) Pigafetta’s testimony 1. Stayed at Homonhon for a week then to
regarding the route; Mazaua for another week where Mass was
b)The evidence of Pigafetta’s map celebrated and planted a cross of the summit of
the highest hill.
c)The two native kings
d) The seven days at
2. The location of Mazaua
“Mazaua”
e) An Argument from 3. Expedition from Mazaua to Cebu
Omission
• Summary of the evidence of 4. Only the survivors of the expedition did go to
Albo and Pigafetta. Mindanao, later, but after Magellan's death.
• Confirmatory evidence from the
Legazpi expedition.
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE
(LIMASAWA)
• The evidence of Albo’s Log-Book
• The Evidence of Pigafetta
Confirmatory evidence from the Legazpi
expedition
a) Pigafetta’s testimony -Mazaua was an island near Leyte and
regarding the route; Panaon, Butuan was on the island of
b)The evidence of Pigafetta’s map Mindanao. The two
c)The two native kings were entirely different places and in no wise
d) The seven days at identical.
“Mazaua”
e) An Argument from
Omission
• Summary of the evidence of Albo and
Pigafetta.
• Confirmatory evidence from the
Legazpi expedition.
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE (BUTUAN)
• Secondary Sources
• The route from Homonhon
• The latitude position
• The Balanghai
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE (BUTUAN)
• Secondary Sources Secondary Sources
• The route from Homonhon • Labor Evangelica by Fr. Francisco
Colin, S.J.
• The latitude position • Historia De Mindanao Y Jolo by
• The Balanghai Francisco Combes S.J
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE (BUTUAN)
Labor Evangelica by Fr. Francisco Colin, S.J.
On the statement of Father Francisco Colin, a historian,
in his work Labor Evangelica, he asserted that Magellan
went to Butuan and there he celebrated the First Mass and
erected a cross. And to support this, Antonio Pigafetta
testified that he gave a gift of certain things to Queen
Mother of France Louise of Savoy and mother of Francis the
first. Gian Battista Ramusio mentioned that a copy of
Pigafetta’s account was given to Louise of Savoy whereas
this manuscript was translated by Jacques Fabre and
imprinted by Simon de Colins. Then it was translated back
into an Italian version by Ramusio, and it was the basis of
Colin’s account. Colin’s account was considered reliable,
and there was a monument erected during 1872 to
commemorate the First Mass in Butuan on April 8, 1521.
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE (BUTUAN)
Historia De Mindanao Y Jolo by Francisco
Combes S.J.
According to Historia De Mindanao Y Jolo written by
Francisco Combes S.J. who worked as a missionary in the
Philppines states that Magellan went to Butuan because
they heard the king in Butuan was more powerful, and they
wanted to meet him. It was said that their expectations
were satisfied by the king, and there, they planted a cross
on a hill in a solemn ceremony as a sign of future alliance.
In Francisco Colin’s work, the First Mass occurred the same
day they planted the cross. For that reason, pro-Butuan
believed that the First Mass occurred in Butuan.
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE (BUTUAN)
• Secondary Sources The route from Homonhon
• The route from Homonhon A position paper submitted by the chancellor
of the Diocese of Borongan to the NHCP
• The latitude position
stated that the Magellan expedition reached
• The Balanghai the shores of Homonhon on March 16, 1521,
and remained for eight days, which coincided
two Sundays and the Holy Week. The paper's
assertion claimed that by deducing from the
timing of their arrival and the liturgical
calendar in use in 1521, there were no less
than four masses, including the Palm Sunday
mass on their last day on the island, held in
Homonhon before the expedition made their
voyage to Limasawa Island.
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE (BUTUAN)
• Secondary Sources The latitude position
• The route from Homonhon The Atega paper emphasizes the
• The latitude position determination of longitude to pinpoint the
location (in this case, Butuan) of the First
• The Balanghai Easter Sunday Mass. Citing primary sources
and contending that the coordinates cited in
the Pigafetta, Albo, and the unknown
Genoese pilot logs were relatively “accurate,”
Atega traced the route taken by the
expedition fleet and concluded that 9¾
degrees latitude combined with his reading
of longitude coordinates in other sources
does in fact lead to Butuan as the site of the
First Easter Sunday Mass.
RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE (BUTUAN)
• Secondary Sources The Balanghai
• The route from Homonhon There are artifacts that will proved that the
• The latitude position first mass occurred in the island. Those are
the presence of balanghai in Butuan which
• The Balanghai they believed that it was used for
transportation during Magellan’s visit.
CONCLU
SION
Group Members
• VINCENT JAY CAYABYAB (LEADER)
• GIAN FRANCO
• LINDSY CRUZ
• CAMILE CARAGAY
• GRANT JIMREY ARACHEA
• FREDDIERICK DELA CRUZ
• KRISTINE MAE BANERA
• RALPH ROYET DELOS SANTOS
• LIEZEL AUSTRIA
• KIMBERLY ASPA
• MARY CRISCHELLE BAUTISTA
• WILSON ABALOS
• JEROME BENASO
References
• Miguel A. Bernad, S.J. “Butuan or Limasawa? The Site of the First Mass in the
Philippines: A Reexamination of the Evidence” in Tradition and Discontinuity.
Essays on Philippine History and Culture (Manila: NBS, 1982) Retrieve from:
https://docplayer.net/217741474-The-final-report-of-the-mojares-panel-on-the-butuan-li
masawa-controversy-on-the-location-of-the-1521-first-easter-sunday-mass-in-the-philippi
nes.html
• Valencia, Linda B. "Limasawa: Site of the First Mass". Philippines News
Agency. Ops.gov.ph. Archived from the original on October 15, 2007.
Retrieved November 12, 2007. Retrieved from:
https://web.archive.org/web/20071015033230/http://www.ops.gov.ph/pia/kalayaan/lim
asawa.html
• "Southern Leyte Is Famous For..." Wow Philippines. Tourism.gov.ph. Archived
from the original on February 12, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2007.
https://web.archive.org/web/20080212082527/http://www.tourism.gov.ph/explore_phil/
place_details.asp?content=famousefor&province=47
References
• Reyes, Ronald O. (August 20, 2020). "Controversy over Site of Celebration of
Philippines' First Catholic Mass Resolved". Licas News. Retrieved October 26,
2020. Retrieved from:
https://www.licas.news/2020/08/20/controversy-over-site-of-celebration-of-
philippines-first-catholic-mass-resolved/

• Mascarinas, Erwin (April 3, 2012). "Was First Mass Held in Limasawa or

Butuan? Church Urged to Help Settle Controversy". InterAksyon.com.
Archived from the original on January 9, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
https://web.archive.org/web/20150109130037/http://www.interaksyon.com/article/2855
0/first-catholic-mass-venue-limasawa-or-butuan-cbcp-urged-to-help-settle-controversy

• https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/cagayan-state-university/philosophy/masao-first
-mass-lecture-notes/41490539