Jhanyne Calisagan BPED1- BLOCK A WEEK7

GE2- Readings in the Philippine History Mrs. Janeth U. Sarsuelo MODULE 7

CONTROVERSY OVER SITE OF CELEBRATION OF PHILIPPINES’ FIRST CATHOLIC MASS

Was it really Limasawa or Butuan? Debates continue on where first mass was held here in the
Philippines. There is a controversy regarding the site of the first mass ever celebrated on the Philippine
soil. Now I want you to use primary and secondary sources that will enable you to argue in favour or
against a particular issue. Write a 500 word essay and prove your claim by citing your sources of
information.

Limasawa Island : The Place where the First Easter Mass in the Philippines was held

The introduction of Christianity on Philippine shores is generally linked to the celebration of the
first Holy Mass. But for the past centuries, countless numbers of Filipinos including the top experts in
education, history, religion, politics and other subjects are still debating as to where the exact location of
the 'First Mass' on Easter Sunday where both Butuan City and Limasawa claim to be the venue of this
historical religious rite. On the top of them was the Mojares Panel led by Dr. Resil Mojares, who
submited a report claiming Limasawa as the place wher the first mass mas held, and Dr. Potenciano
Malvar who filed criminal complaints against the members of the Mojares Panel, a group designated by
the government last year to finally put to rest the issue surrounding the first Catholic mass.

Numerous trials and findings conducted by NHI prove that the most credible and reliable source
about the birthplace of Christianity in the Philippines was written in the account of Antonio Pigafetta
entitled “First Voyage Around the World”. This account was reported by a principal eyewitness of the
event that describes the life of early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their
history and records of the catholic missions, and showing the political, economic, commercial and
religious conditions of the country. It contains two essential points that made the first mass in the
Philippines happened in Limasawa , not in Butuan.

Countless people pursue the historic truth regarding the topic on the birth of Christianity in the
Philippines based on honesty, independent-mindedness, critical truth and truth were only wherever the
search leads and whatever it’s finding. And to that, we strongly believe that the first ever Christian Mass
in the country on March 31, 1521, was celebrated in the island of Limasawa, South of Leyte and not in
Butuan City, so declared the National Historical Institute (NHI).

The first point is that 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.

The second point is the testimony of route and map made by Pigafetta about “Mazzaua Island”
where the first mass happened. Limasawa is an island lying off the southwestern tip of Leyte while
Butuan is a city located in Caraga Region. As described, Butuan is a river settlement and situated near
the delta of Agusan River that is not mentioned in the account of the witness.

In line with this, Mazaua located lies in the latitude of nine and two-thirds towards Arctic pole
and longitude of one hundred and sixty-two degrees from the line of demarcation. The description of
the island is deemed fit with the island of Limasawa, an island on the southern tip of Leyte with
coordinates of nine degrees and fifty-four degree north. The fact that there is no mention of the river
that describes the Mazaua Island and geographic evidence that showed the first mass took place in
Limasawa.