*POSITION PAPER*

FIRST MASS IN MASAW

SUBMITTED BY:

GROUP 7

NAAG, JOHN PAUL

NAVARRO, JONNAMAY

NIEMES, DIANA-JANE

NINING, MARCELASRAFA

NOLSOL, DONITA

SBENT-1A

SUBMITTED TO:

Sir Michaelangelo Fulo

OCTOBER 25, 2021

I. INTRODUCTION
 What is the issue

o The location of the first mass was one of the most well-known

controversies in Philippine history since there are multiple

places that claim to be the birthplace of Roman Catholicism in

the Philippine islands. For the record, there are four sites

debating the true location of the first mass celebration, but only

two of them have compelling arguments and evidence to the

point where they could have an endless debate about it.

 Brief historical background

o In March 1521, Ferdinand Magellan rediscovered the

archipelago and made history. This period in our history

sparked debate about where the first Catholic mass in the

Philippines actually took place. There have been a lot of

arguments and evidences released by various sides, which

has made people more confused while also deepening their

curiosity about the truth.

 Relevance of the issue

o This controversy put to the test the dependability and

credibility of the artifacts collected by Magellan and his fellow

explorers. In this case, people may notice that artifacts can be

manipulated, which can lead to unresolved issues and

misinterpretation of the data.

 o The location of the mass was a source of contention.

Originally, it was thought to be on the island of Limasawa, in

the province of Leyte, but other historians argue that the error

was caused by a mistranslation, and that the correct location

should be Butuan (the place where the Golden Tara was also

discovered). This issue was brought before Congress, which

directed the National Historical Institute to recommend a

historical finding in 1996. The panel and the NHI reaffirmed in

1998 that the location is Limasawa, but the debate continues

to this day.

II. POSITION / ARGUMENTS

ARGUMENT 1

o The recovery of Balanghai boats which were accidentally dug up

near Masao River in 1976.

EXPLANATION

o BCHFI claims to have gathered 28 new pieces of scientific

evidence and comparisons between the two islands — Mazzaua

and Limasawa — to justify Butuan's claim, including the recovery

of ten Balanghai boats that were accidentally dug up near Masao

River in 1976. A shrine was built for the ancient boats that were

used by Butuan natives for sea travel long before the Spaniards

arrived.
Because of its contribution to ancient culture and history, the

Philippine government has designated the Balanghai Shrine

as a "World Historical and Cultural Heritage Site" by the

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural

Organization (UNESCO).

Balanghai Shrine is recognized by UNESCO, it will put

Butuan City on the map as a "historical and cultural heritage

site."
Pigafetta states his scale of 4 n.m. to 1 legua in his book Regole sul l’arte del navigare o trattato

della sfera (Treatise of Navigation). Primary sources: Antonio Pigafetta (3 codices out of 4);

Francisco Albo (Madrid and Paris manuscripts); Genoese Pilot (Lisbon and Paris mss.); Ginés

de Mafra; Martinho de Aiamonte;. Secondary: Francisco Colín, S.J., Francisco Combés, S.J.,

Antonio de Brito and Antonio de Herrera.

ARGUMENT 2

o The area size found in Ginés de Mafra account does not fit in

Limasawa. Amalla observed that 1521 “was within this time period

and the island they found is exactly at 9ºN as pinpointed by

Magellan’s pilot, Francisco Albo.”

EXPLANATION

o The claim made by local officials and a large number of their

constituents here that Baug was the site of the first mass was

largely based on the accounts of Gines De Mafra, a navigator on

Magellan's expedition who was able to return to Spain and join the

Villalobos expedition in 1543. According to reports, De Mafra's

accounts matched the description and location of Baug.

The area was described as 2,2213 to 3,930 hectares in Marfa's

accounts, which does not fit Limasawa.

Another confirmatory discovery for the Butuan claim was made in

2001 by a group of local experts. The experts—Wilfredo Ronquillo,

chief archaeologist of the National Museum of the Philippines; Dr.

Yolanda Aguilar, geologist and paleontologist; Roberto de

Ocampo, chief geologist of the National Museum; and Dr. Ricarte

Javelosa, chief geomorphologist of the Department of Environment

and Natural Resources—all testified that the Pinamanculan Hills

were merely an island during Episode V of its geological formation,

which occurred between 500

Pigafetta states his scale of 4 n.m. to 1 legua in his book Regole sul l’arte del navigare o trattato

della sfera (Treatise of Navigation). Primary sources: Antonio Pigafetta (3 codices out of 4);

Francisco Albo (Madrid and Paris manuscripts); Genoese Pilot (Lisbon and Paris mss.); Ginés

de Mafra; Martinho de Aiamonte;. Secondary: Francisco Colín, S.J., Francisco Combés, S.J.,

Antonio de Brito and Antonio de Herrera.

ARGUMENT 3

o Albo made no mention of the first Mass in his account. Pigafetta,

on the other hand, claims that the first Mass was held in Mazzaua

on March 31, 1521, on Easter Sunday. Another National Museum

archaeologist, Mary Jane Louise A. Bolunia, said, “The

significance of Pinamanculan Hills cannot be taken for granted,

especially now that it has been established that [the area] used to

be an island.” (“Pinamanculan Hills: Its Archeological Importance,”

Butuan City, 2001, p. 3).

EXPLANATION

o BUTUAN CITY, PHILIPPINES — Easter Sunday fell on March 31

—exactly as it did in 1521, when Ferdinand Magellan landed on

the island of Mazzaua and asked his chaplain to celebrate what

became known as the Philippines' first Mass.

On March 31, eight years shy of the 500th anniversary of

Magellan's Easter Mass, the Diocese of Butuan marked the

occasion with a concelebrated Mass by the clergy led by Bishop

Juan de Dios Pueblos at 9 a.m. at the Cathedral-Shrine of St.

Joseph in the city's downtown area.

Pigafetta states his scale of 4 n.m. to 1 legua in his book Regole sul l’arte del navigare o trattato

della sfera (Treatise of Navigation). Primary sources: Antonio Pigafetta (3 codices out of 4);

Francisco Albo (Madrid and Paris manuscripts); Genoese Pilot (Lisbon and Paris mss.); Ginés

de Mafra; Martinho de Aiamonte;. Secondary: Francisco Colín, S.J., Francisco Combés, S.J.,

Antonio de Brito and Antonio de Herrera.

ARGUMENT 4

o Pigafetta also mentioned the abundance of gold on the island

several times, saying, "Pieces of gold the size of walnuts and eggs

are found by sifting the earth in the island of that king who came to

our ships." All of the king's dishes, as well as a portion of his

estate, are made of gold..."

EXPLANATION

o Greg Hontiveros, another prominent Butuan historian, claimed in

his book "Butuan of a Thousand Years" (printed by Ateneo de

Manila University Press for the Butuan City Historical and Cultural

Foundation in 2004) that the Masao estuary in modern-day Butuan

"was once the site of the ancient trading harbor and well-respected

kingdom of Butuan." The balanghai, Southeast Asia's largest,

oldest, and sturdiest seafaring vessels, were discovered in its

embankments.

Hontiveros pointed out that gold was the currency of the Butuan

kingdom before the Spaniards arrived. In fact, the majority of the

gold pieces in the Central Bank's gold collection, which is on

permanent display at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, are from

Butuan's archaeological discoveries.

Pigafetta states his scale of 4 n.m. to 1 legua in his book Regole sul l’arte del navigare o trattato

della sfera (Treatise of Navigation). Primary sources: Antonio Pigafetta (3 codices out of 4);

Francisco Albo (Madrid and Paris manuscripts); Genoese Pilot (Lisbon and Paris mss.); Ginés

de Mafra; Martinho de Aiamonte;. Secondary: Francisco Colín, S.J., Francisco Combés, S.J.,

Antonio de Brito and Antonio de Herrera.

CONCLUSION / SUMMARY

As a conclusion, we formulated and gathered data to demonstrate that the first

mass occurred on Easter Sunday, March 21, 1521, at Masao, Butuan, which is

clearly the location of the first mass. It is because historians, archaeologists, and

others were able to discover credible artifacts or visible evidences in Butuan that

the limasawa island lacked, as well as in Limasawa, Southern Leyte.

As a result, the researchers conclude that the first mass was held in Masao,

Butuan, rather than Limasawa Leyte, because (Republic Act No. 2733) both the

law and the government state that the first mass was held in Masao, Butuan.

Even though there is a law that declares Limasawa as the location of the first

Mass, it is possible that they are only trying to divert our attention away from the

fact that Butuan is the true location because there is a lot of evidence that leads

to the conclusion that the first Mass was held in Masao, Butuan.
REFERENCES/SOURCES
PRIMARY
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De Jesus, V. (2004, June 21). Mazaua: Magellanùs Lost Harbor.

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 SECONDARY
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