Affirmative Constructive Speech

Argument: “The first holy mass in the Philippines was held in Limasawa not
in Butuan.”

“Miss Jean Obayan, worthy opponents, ladies and gentleman good

afternoon to all!

“The argument before us today is that the first holy mass in the
Philippines was held in Limasawa not in Butuan. We affirmative claimed
that the first mass in Philippines was held in Limasawa. As far as our
research goes it is very evident that the first mass was held in Limasawa
not Butuan. It states that the first ever Easter Mass in the Philippines – a
landmark in the history of Philippine Christianity – was held in 1521 on the
island of Mazaua, known today as Limasawa Island, Leyte.

“The affirmative has three strong evidence to support our claim that
the first mass in the Philippines was held in Limasawa. Fist, the National
Historical Institute (NHI) has already reached a conclusion after a two-year
study. In 1996, it reaffirmed the popular belief propelled by Republic Act
2733 that the first Holy Mass was celebrated in Limasawa Island on March
31, 1521.The NHI cited the memoirs of Antonio Pigafetta, who chronicled
the expedition of Ferdinand Magellan, as “the only credible primary source
that yields the best evidence of the celebration of the first Christian Mass
on Philippine soil.”
 Second, Pigafetta's Mazaua, the site of the first Christian Mass held
on Philippine soil, is an island lying off the southwestern tip of Leyte while
Masao in Butuan is not an island but a barangay of Butuan City located in a
delta of the Agusan River along the coast of Northern Mindanao. The
position of Mazaua, as plotted by Pigafetta, matched that of Limasawa.

Third, Mora said the documents, primary sources and maps from the
16th century confirm that the island of Mazaua the measurement of
distances between Homonhon and Limasawa between Limasawa and
Cebu, as computed by the pro-Limasawa group, matches or approximates
the delineations made by Pigafetta of the distances between Homonhon
and Mazaua and between Mazaua and Cebu. “The geographical
description, the analysis of the directions, the revision of the maps and the
references to the island of Mazaua between 1521 and 1565 it identifies in
the modern-day island Limasawa,” he said.

“In the first place the most complete and reliable account of the
Magellan expedition into Philippine shores in 1521 is that of Antonio
Pigafetta which is deemed as the only credible primary source of reports on
the celebration of the first Christian Mass on Philippine soil.

“For our second point A simple celebration was held Wednesday in

the island town of Limasawa, Southern Leyte to mark the 500th anniversary
of the First Easter Mass in the Philippines.

“And lastly the earliest recorded mass in the Philippine territory was
held in Limasawa on March 31, 1521. It was officiated by Fr. Pedro de
Valderama, chaplain of the Magellan-Elcano expedition. That day in the
Roman Catholic calendar was Easter Sunday.

Joining the Mass were 50 expedition crew, including Ferdinand

Magellan. Also in attendance were siblings Rajah Colambu of Limasawa
and Rajah Siaiu of Butuan-Calaghan.

“In conclusion, the affirmative has shown enough evidence that the
firs mass in the Philippines was held in Limasawa no in Butuan.