The site of the First Mass in the Philippines

The commemoration of the Philippines' first mass is significant, particularly in the context of the
location where it took place. Apart from that, there is debate over whether the island Mazaua, which
Antonio Pigafetta mentions in his book as the site of their first landing and mass, is in Limasawa or
Butuan. Many are confused as to where the first mass in the Philippines actually took place. On Easter
Sunday in the year 1521, the first documented Catholic Mass in the Philippines was held. With the helped
of Father Pedro de Valderrma of Ferdinand Magellan's voyage along with Antonio Pigafetta referred to as
"Mazaua" in his journals.

The first mass in the Philippines held two contradictory claims, one of which is that the first mass
in the Philippines was held on a small island south of Leyte called Limasawa. On the other hand claims
that the first mass in the Philippines held in the Agusan River in northern Mindanao, near the village of
Butuan. In considerations of the claims, Fr. Bernad revisits and evaluates the evidence in support of these
two claims. The question now is, where could the first mass take place? Is it possible that it was held in
Limasawa, which the Philippine government acknowledges? Or could it be in Butuan or Masao, where
various scholars and experts claim the first mass took place?

According to my research, historians use two primary sources to determine the location of the first
mass. The first is Francisco Albo's journal, which he kept as a pilot on one of Magellan's ships, the
Trinidad. Antonio Pigafetta, on the other hand, has the most detailed journal of the Magellan expedition.
Francisco Albo and Antonio Pigafetta's journals are similar in many ways, but some details differ only in
terms of descriptions or names. Both of the latter's journals supported the claim that Mazaua was the
small island of Limasawa, and that there was no point in their expedition where they got to the island of
Butuan, according to their journals. The National Historical Institute and the Philippine government both
acknowledge these claims and agree that Magellan's first mass was held in Limasawa.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) modified the proposal and
unanimously indicated that the facts and arguments presented by pro-Butuan advocates are insufficient
and persuasive to warrant the National Historical Institute's final judgement in the matter being repealed
or reversed. It's also supported by the fact that a Spanish expedition led by Ruy López de Villalobos
didn't arrive in Mindanao for another 22 years, in 1543.

As a result of my research into this topic, I believe I am more on the side of Antonio Pigafetta's claim
due to the fact that he is more credible and the reason for this circumstance is that he was present during
the event and was able to witness where the first mass actually occurred though Francisco Albo was there
too, Antonio Pigafetta’s journal is more detailed than him. I affirm that the first mass in the Philippines
was held in Limasawa, based on the facts presented and the information and evidence that I have
researched.

Submitted by:
Hannah Jerriecha M. Pecson,
BS MLS, DASH 1

522 words
REFERENCES
The Manila Times (2021) “New book asserts Mazaua Island in Butuan true site of first Holy Mass in the
Philippines” https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/01/07/campus-press/new-book-asserts-mazaua-island-in-
butuan-true-site-of-first-holy-mass-in-the-philippines/823943
Pigafetta, A. (1874) The First Voyage Round the World by Magellan (H. Stanley) (1 st Edition). Published
in Cambridge University Press.
Regidor (2021) “Limasawa vs. Butuan: the first Easter Mass” UPDate Diliman.
https://upd.edu.ph/limasawa-vs-butuan-the-first-easter-mass/