Republic of the Philippines

BICOL UNIVERSITY
Legazpi City

GE 12:
READINGS
IN
PHILIPPINE
HISTORY
Learner’s Module
FAITH BEA R. ADOLFO
JOHN HENRY BRIONES
VEN VINCENT L. VELASCO
 Bicol University
College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
Daraga, Albay

CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that all outputs I have submitted as part of the assessments in the module or in the
fulfilment of the requirements for the course,
GE 12: READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
during the First Semester, Academic Year 2020-2021 are my own.
I understand that any misrepresentation on my part in any of the module activities and assessments
will be a ground for disciplinary action by the Course Instructor/Professor based on the approved
course policies and by the University based on its existing relevant policies.

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Signature over Printed Name

Course and Year:_____________________________________

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 FOREWORD

Mabuhay!
At last! This Learners’ Module in Readings in Philippine History, which has been a long time
collaboration between the instructors teaching the subject, has finally come out. Our initiative to work
together in the formulation of this material is in consonance with the new trend of education in the
higher education system. Truly, amidst these challenging adversities that is happening now in the
world due to COVID-19, we as educators did not stop from creating innovative contents and
instructional materials to continue the delivery of quality education.
The subject Readings in Philippine History is inclined with viewing and analyzing segments in
Philippine History from the lens of the various primary sources. This is a bit different attack on studying
the country’s history because you will be dealing with primary sources rather than those secondary
sources such as textbooks. Based on the Course Syllabus, you are expected at the end of the course
to:

1. Exhibit the ability to read the primary sources analytically;

2. Demonstrate the ability to think and argue critically and logically;
3. Demonstrate an appreciation for historical heritage and significance of nationalism specially
in the present Philippine and global context; and
4. Exhibit positive social values and appreciation of the value of human person.

The discussions inside this module will tackle on significant political, social, economic and
religious happenings in the past that can deepen your understanding on that story and at the same
time, you can implicate it to the standing of the contemporary Philippines. In the end, this subject is
expected to develop your moral and civic consciousness that is expected of a responsible Filipino
Citizen.
This learners’ module, on the other hand, will be your companion for the whole semester with
this subject. This material is equipped with the Course Guide, Pre and Post Assessment, Self-
Assessments, excerpts of the primary sources and activities to check your learning progress. In each
lesson, there is a list of suggested readings to enhance your learning in one area. There are also
reflective activities to ensure that lessons are contextualized in the contemporary settings. Do not
worry if you may not able to access our online sessions because everything you need is incorporated
in this material.
We are looking forward to a meaningful encounter for this upcoming semester with this
subject. May you have the excitement and enthusiasm to read and answer this material which is
specially made for you. We hope that this course will teach you the essence of studying history but an
understanding of the building block of our nation. David McCullough once said that “History is who we
are and why we are the way we are.” Indeed, History is the reflection of ourselves, how we have become
and how we will be.

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 CHAPTER 3
CONTROVERSIES AND CONFLICTING
VIEWS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
When it comes to the past, our history has a lot more to tell about which particular situation
really happened. In trying to interpret things in the past, there may be many explanations to justify
their claims. In trying to conduct analysis on historical sources, it cannot be avoided that multiple
interpretation may arise in just one historical reference. As we study various eyewitnesses, documents
or accounts of the participants, a question now arises – if which interpretation should we believe in?
As the saying goes, “There is one past, but many histories.” Therefore, as we dwell on the past,
conflicts and controversies is really possible. You may have heard some of these questions in your
childhood like: Did Lapu Lapu did killed the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan? Did former
President Emilio Aguinaldo lead the way to execute Gat. Andres Bonifacio? Is Rizal the father of Adolf
Hitler? Is former President Ferdinand Marcos still alive?
Even if we have such conflicting views, it does not stop historians to study these historical
questions, rather, these contributes and challenges the existing ideas to solidify what we preach in
history books. We as Filipinos, and you as a student must learn these different issues in our history so
that you may know our humble beginnings and understand as to what chances we may have in the
future.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

At the end of this module, you’re expected to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to formulate arguments in favor or against a particular issue

using primary and secondary sources;
2. Explain the different readings and interpretations of the historical texts; and
3. Implicate on the importance and relevance of the various controversies in the
contemporary world.

FLOW OF INSTRUCTION

Lesson No. Title

1 The Site of the First Mass
2 The Cavite Mutiny
3 The Retraction of Jose Rizal
4 The First Cry of Revolution?

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Chapter 3
The year 2021 will mark as the celebration of the 500-year anniversary of the arrival of the
Spanish in the Philippines through the expedition led by the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan.
This year is also significant to the Filipino Catholic community as this marks the 500 th anniversary of
the first Catholic Mass which starts the successful propagation of Christianity, the most dominant
religion in the country.
Yet, the historical event, happened five centuries ago has been surrounded with confusion
among scholars on where did the mass happened. For so long, historians in the country had made
critical assertions on where did it occurred through studying various primary resources. Today, you will
have the chance to discover the answer to this long-time debate by passing through significant primary
sources.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. Analyze the different primary resources that accounts the site of the first mass;
2. Derive meaningful impressions from looking at the similarities and differences
between the four main primary sources; and
3. Appraise the views of the different narrators from their socio-political background.
4.

LET’S TRY THIS ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY 1: FIVE-DEAS!
Below is a picture I’m sure you are already familiar of. Remember what do you know about the
image. Below this are five boxes where you will put five (5) concepts that will describe the said image
based on what you know. The concepts must be a sentence or a phrase.

Photo Source: https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/the-philippine-star/20170604/282570198072689

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Guide Questions:
1. What is your general impression from the image?
2. What things are you interested to know about this image?

LET’S READ!
On March 17, 1521, the troupe of ships led by a Portuguese
explorer, Ferdinand Magellan had reach the shores of the country
which marks their first landing on the country. This is one of the major
highlights of their expedition, although their original search was of the
Moluccas or Spice Island. For Magellan and the team, this is the chance
for them to materialize their goal as western explorers – to find
resources, to gain prestige, and to propagate Christianism – also
known as the 3Gs.
As a result, they were able to give a fresh start on leading the
cross to the natives of the east. The Spanish convinced the Filipinos to
accept the new religion and its doctrines. The giant cross of Magellan Photo Source:
situated in Cebu and the image of Sto, Nino given to “Juana” were only https://www.history.com/topics/
some of the evidences of their Catholic Indoctrination in the Philippines. exploration/ferdinand-
magellan
Amongst all these, the first Mass is considered by many as a paramount
symbol of the humble beginning of Christianity in the country. But the details about the first mass is a
heated discussion among historians and scholars for the past years, including the place where it
occurred. Was it in Leyte or in Butuan? What were considered by the historians to determine the ‘real’
site if the mass? Why is this significant in the heritage of the country and how can this be relevant to
today’s times? Take time to read the primary sources below.

LET’S STUDY!

In order for us to answer the pressing question on the real site of the first mass and other
surrounding issues, the following primary sources will be presented: (1) the accounts of Francisco Albo,
pilot of the Trinidad (one of the 5 ships of Magellan’s Expedition); and the accounts of Antonio
Pigafetta, the chronicler of the expedition. These two accounts are presented below:

Francisco Albo’s Account

Francisco Albo was one of the 18 survivors of the Magellan-Elcano Expedition. He was the
contramaestre or pilot of the ship, Trinidad, which was the flagship of Ferdinand Magellan. He had
kept a log book of their expedition which bad also accounted their travels in the Philippines. His
accounts in the country, was presented by Bernad (2002) as follows:

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 1. On the 16th of March (1521), as they sailed in a westerly course from the Ladrones, they saw
land towards the northwest; but owing to many shallow places they did not approach it. The
found later that its name was Yungan.
2. They went instead that same day southwards to another small island named Suluan, and there
they anchored. There they saw some canoes but these fled at the Spaniard’s approach. This
island was at 9 and two thirds degrees North Altitude.
3. Departing from those two islands, they sailed westwards to an uninhabited island of “Gada”
where they took in a supply of wood and water. The sea around that island was free from
shallows. (Albo does not give the latitude of this island, but from Pigafetta’s testimony, this
seems to be the “Acquada” or Homonhon, at 10 degrees North latitude.)
4. From that islad, they sailed westwards towards a large island named Seilani, which was
inhabited and was known to have gold. (Seilani - or, as Pigafetta calls it, “Ceylon” – was the
island of Leyte)
5. Sailing southwards along the coast of that large island of seilani, they turned southwest to a
small island called “Mazava”. That island is also at a latitude of 9n and two-thirds degrees
North.
6. The people of that island of Mazava were very good. There the Spaniards planted a cross upon
a mountain-top, and from there they were shown three islands to the west and southwest,
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.”
7. From Mazava, they sailed northwards again towards Seilani. They followed the coast of Seilani
in a northwesterly direction, ascending up to 10 degrees of latitude where they saw three small
islands.
8. From there they sailed westwards some the leagues, and there they saw three islets, where
they dropped anchor for the night. In the morning they sailed southwest some 12 leagues,
down to a latitude of 10 and one-third degree. There they entered a channel between two
islands, one of which was called “Matan” and the other “Subu”.
9. They sailed down that channel and then turned westward and anchored at the town (la villa)
of Subu where they stayed many days and obtained provisions and entered into a peace-pact
with the local king.
10. The town of Subu was on an east-west direction with the islands of Suluan and Mazava. But
between Mazava and Subu, there were so many shallows that the boats could not go
westwards directly but had to go (as they did) in a round-about way.

Antonio Pigafetta’s Accounts:

The account of Antonio Pigafetta is recognized as the most comprehensive and complete
narration of the expedition. In his “The First Voyage around the World”, he was able to narrate every
detail of the exploration including the First Mass. He is also one among the 18 survivors of the
expedition.
1. Saturday, 16 March 1521 – Magellan’s Expedition sighted a “high land” named “Zamal” which
was some 300 leagues westwards of the Ladrones (now the Marianas) Islands.
2. Sunday, March 17 – “The following day” after sighting Zamal Island, they landed on “another
island which was uninhabited” and which lay “to the right” of the abovementioned island of

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 “Zamal” (to the “right” here would mean on their starboard going south or southwest.) There
they set up two tents for the sick members of the crew and had a sow killed for them. The
name of this island was “Humunu” (Homonhon). This island was located at 10 degrees North
latitude.
3. On that same day (Sunday, 17 March) Magellan named the entire archipelago the “Island of
Saint Lazarus”, the reason being that it was the Sunday in the Lenten season when the Gospel
assigned for the Mass and the liturgical Office was the eleventh chapter of St John, which tells
of the raising of Lazarus from the dead.
4. Monday, 18 March – in the afternoon of their second day on that island, they saw a boat
coming towards them with nine men in it. An exchange of gifts was effected. Magellan asked
for food supplies, and the men went away, promising to bring rice and other supplies in “four
days”.
5. There were two springs of water on that island of Homonhon. Also, they saw there some
indications that were was gold in these islands. Consequently Magellan renamed the island
and called it the “Watering Place of Good Omen” (Acquada la di bouni segnialli).
6. Friday, 22 March – At noon the natives returned. This time they were in two boats, and they
brought food supplies.
7. Magellan’s expedition stayed eight days at Homonhon: from 17 March, to the Monday of the
following week, 25 March.
8. Monday, 25 March – In the Afternoon, the expedition weighted anchor and left the island of
Homonhon. In the ecclesiastical calendar, this day (25 March) was the feast-day of the
Incarnation, also called as the feast of the Annunciation and therefore “Our Lady’s Day”. On
this day, as they were about to weight anchor, an accident happened to Pigafetta: he fell into
the water but was rescued. He attributed his narrow escape from death as a grace obtained
through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary on her feast-day.
9. The route taken by the expedition after leaving Homonhon was “towards the west southwest,
between four islands: namely, cenaloi, Hiunanghan, Ibusson and Albarien.” Very probably
“Cenalo” is a misspelling in the Italian manuscript for what Pigafetta in his map calls “Ceilon”
and Albo calls “Seilani”: namely the islands of Leyte. “Hiunanghan” (a misspelling for
Hinunangan) seemed to Pigafetta to be a separate island, but it is actually on the mainland of
Leyte (i.e. Ceylon). On the other hand, Hibuson (Pigafetta’s Ibusson) is an island east of Leyte’s
southern tip.
10. Thursday, 28 March – in the morning of Holy Thursday, 28 March, they anchored off and island
where the previous night they had seen a light or a bonfire. That island “lies in a latitude of
nine and two-thirds towards the Artic Pole (i.e. North) and in a longitude of one hundred and
sixty-two degrees from the line of demarcation. It is 25 leagues from the Acquada, and is called
Mazaua
11. Friday, March 29 – “Next day, Holy Friday”, Magellan sent his slave interpreter ashore in a
small boat to ask the king if he could provide the expedition with food supplies, and to say that
they had come as friends and not as enemies. In reply the king himself came in a boat with six
or eight men, and this time went up Magellan’s ship and the two men embraced. Another
exchange of gifts was made. The native king and his companions returned ashore, bringing
with them two members of Magellan’s expedition as guests for the night. One of the two was
Pigafetta.

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 12. Saturday, March 30 – Pigafetta and his companions had spent the previous evening feasting
and drinking with the native king and his son. Pigafetta deplored the fact that, although it was
Good Friday, they have to eat meat. The following morning (Saturday), Pigafetta and his
companion took leave of their host and returned to the ships.
13. Sunday, March 31 – On the same afternoon, while on the summit of the highest hill, Magellan
asked the two kings which ports he should go to in order to obtain more abundant supplies of
food than were available in that 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 then
said that he wished to go to Zubu and to depart the following morning. He asked for someone
to guide him. The kings replied that the pilots would be available “any time”. But later that
evening the king of Mazaua changed his mind and said that he would himself conduct
Magellan to Zubu but that he would first have to bring the harvest in. He asked Magellan to
send him men to help with the harvest.
14. Monday, April 1 – Magellan sent men ashore to help with the harvest, but no work was done
that day because the two kings were sleeping off their drinking bout the night before.
15. Tuesday, April 2 and Wednesday, April 3 – Work on the harvest during the “next to days,”
16. Thursday, 4 April. – they left Mazaua, bound for Cebu. They were guided thither by the king of
Mazaua who sailed in his own boat. Their route took them past five “islands”: namely, Ceylon,
Bohol, Canighan, Baibai and Gatignan.”
17. At Gatighan, they sailed westwards to the three isalnds of the Camotes Group, namely, Poro,
Pasihan and Ponson. Here the Spanish ships stopped to allow the king of Mazaua to catch up
with them, since the Spanish ships were kuch faster that the native balanghai – a thing that
excited the admiratyion of the King of Mazaua.
18. From the Camotes Islands they sailed [southwestward] towards “Zubu”.
19. Sunday, April 7 – At noon they entered the harbor of “Zubu” (Cebu).

Below is the excerpt of Pigafetta’s accounts, in the Robertson’s Translation:

Early on the morning of Sunday, the last of March, and Easter-day, the captain- general sent the priest
with some men to prepare the place where mass was to be said; together with the interpreter to tell the king
that we were not going to land in order to dine with him, but to say mass. Therefore, the king sent us two
swine that he had had killed. When the hour for mass arrived, we landed with about fifty men, without our
body armor, but carrying our other arms, and dressed in our best clothes. Before we reached the shore
with our boats, six pieces were discharged as a sign of peace. We landed; the two kings embraced the
captain-general, and placed him between them. We went in marching order to the place consecrated, which
was not far from the shore. Before the commencement of mass, the captain sprinkled the entire bodies of
the two kings with musk water. The mass was offered up. The kings went forward to kiss the cross as we
did, but they did not offer the sacrifice. When the body of our Lord was elevated, they remained on their
knees and worshiped Him with clasped hands. The ships fired all their artillery at once when the body of
Christ was elevated, the signal having been given from the shore with muskets. After the conclusion of mass,
some of our men took communion. The captain-general arranged a fencing tournament, at which the kings

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were greatly pleased. Then he had a cross carried in and the nails and a crown, to which immediate
reverence was made. He told the kings through the interpreter that they were the standards given to him by
the emperor his sovereign, so that wherever he might go he might set up those his tokens. [He said] that he
wished to set it up in that place for their benefit, for whenever any of our ships came, they would know that
we had been there by that cross, and would do nothing to displease them or harm their property [property:
doublet in original MS.]. If any of their men were captured, they would be set free immediately on that sign
being shown. It was necessary to set that cross on the summit of the highest mountain, so that on seeing it
every morning, they might adore it; and if they did that, neither thunder, lightning, nor storms would harm
them in the least.

QUICK QUERY: What were the significant similarities and differences between the
account of Albo and Pigafetta?

LET’S TRY THIS ACTIVITY

Read the following researches that studied and resolved the controversy of the location of the
First Mass. After, please answer the following:

Documents: Butuan or Limasawa? The Site of the First Mass in the Philippines: A
Reexaminationof the Evidence
Miguel A. Bernad
https://journals.ateneo.edu/ojs/index.php/budhi/article/view/582/5
79

NHCP’s Latest Ruling on the 1521 Easter Sunday Mass Controversy

Dr. Rene R. Escalante
National Historical Commission of the Philippines
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mExTClwb_z7AMjS3Hvpds75WLoK
LNnYh/view

1. What were the claims and evidences of the Pro-Butuan proponents who believed that the First
Mass happened in Masao? Explain how did the scholars counter-responded on such claims
using the matrix below:

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 Pro-Butuan Claims Scholars’ Counter Response

2. According to the NHCP Report, why did they rejected the claim that the accounts of Pigafetta
was tampered to intentionally conceal the new-found route?

3. How did the Legazpi expedition helped in the strengthening the claims that the First Mass was
in Limasawa?

4. How did the ‘Butuan Tradition’ as the site of the first mass started?

5. How did the Geograhic features of the places involved in the controversies helped in the
ascertaining the possible site of the first mass?

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 LET’S REMEMBER

 The Magellan Expedition gave way to the introduction of the Christianity among native
Filipino settlers in the Visayan area. The First Mass, which happened on March 31,
1521 was a manifestation of the onset of the great and full spread of the Christian
faith. Unfortunately, there is a dispute whether the said mass happened in Limasawa
or Butuan.
 The two main primary sources used in clarifying the issue were the accounts of Antonio
Pigafetta and Francisco Albo, both were survivors of the expedition. Their accounts
named ‘Mazaua’ as the site of the mass.
 Studying on the circumstances, routes, suppose inconsistencies in the translation,
geographic factors and other elements, it is decided by scholars, and by the National
Historical Commission of the Philippines that the site of the first mass is in Limasawa.
To date, there are yet no strong evidence to prove the claims of the Pro-Butuan
proponents.

HOW MUCH YOU HAVE LEARNED

Make a 500-word expressive essay on the importance of identifying the real site of the
first mass in the Philippines. Observe the following criteria in writing your work:

Factual and Comprehensive Content: (50%)

Organization of themes and arguments: (30%)
Clarity of language (20%)
Total: 100%

References:

Alporha, V. C. (2018). Readings in Philippine History (First ed.). Manila: Rex Book Store.

Bernad, M. A. (2002). Butuan or Limasawa: The Site of the First Mass in the Philippines: A Reexaminationof the
Evidence. Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture, 5, 133-166. Retrieved from
https://journals.ateneo.edu/ojs/index.php/budhi/article/view/582/579

Escalante, R. R. (2020). NHCP’s Latest Ruling on the 1521 Easter Sunday Mass Controversy. National Historical
Commission of the Philippines. Retrieved from
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mExTClwb_z7AMjS3Hvpds75WLoKLNnYh/view

History. (2018). Retrieved from New World Encyclopedia: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/History

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