Readings in he makes use of are made of it, and also some
parts of his house, which was well fitted up
Philippine History
Chapter 4: One Past but
Many Histories:
Controversies and
Conflicting Views in
Philippine History
SITE OF THE FIRST MASS
https://rltjs.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/
eastern-visayas.jpg
One of the most controversial topic in
Philippine history is the site of the first Catholic
Mass, which happened on March 31, 1521
(Easter Sunday).
Today, debates on the matter are being
opened as the Philippines celebrates the 500th
years of Christianity, and this time it is not just
Masao, Butuan and Limasawa Island in Leyte,
but including other places in Butuan such as
Baug Island, Suatan and Bood Promontory. In
this lesson, we will continue reading the
accounts of Antonio Pigafetta which is
considered as a complete record of the journey
of Magellan.
Primary Source:
The First Voyage Round the World,
translated from the accounts of Antonio
Pigafetta accompanied by original documents,
with notes and an introduction by Lord Stanley
of Alderley.
In the island belonging to the king who
came to the ship there are mines of gold, which
they find in pieces as big as a walnut or an egg,
by seeking in the ground. All the vessels which
according to the custom of the country, and he
was the handsomest man that we saw among
these nations. He had very black hair coming
down to his shoulders, with a silk cloth on his
head, and two large gold rings hanging from his
ears, he had a cloth of cotton worked with silk,
which covered him from the waist to the knees,
at his side he wore a dagger, with a long handle
which was all of gold, its sheath was of carved
wood. Besides he carried upon him scents of
storax and benzoin. He was tawny and painted
all over. The island of this king is named
Zuluan and Calagan, and when these two
kings wish to visit one another they come to
hunt in this island where we were. Of these
kings the painted king is called Raia Calambu,
and the other Raia Siani.
On Sunday, the last day of March, and
feast of Easter, the captain sent the chaplain
ashore early to say mass, and the interpreter
went with him to tell the king that they were not
coming on shore to dine with him, but only to
hear the mass. The king hearing that sent two
dead pigs. When it was time for saying mass the
captain went ashore with fifty men, not with
their arms, but only with their swords, and
dressed as well as each one was able to dress,
and before the boats reached the shore our ships
fired six cannon shots as a sign of peace. At our
landing the two kings were there, and received
our captain in a friendly manner, and placed
him between them, and then we went to the
place prepared for saying mass, which was not
far from the shore. Before the mass began the
captain threw a quantity of musk rose water on
those two kings, and when the offertory of the
mass came, the two kings went to kiss the cross
like us, but they offered nothing, and at the
elevation of the body of our Lord they were
kneeling like us, and adored our Lord with
joined hands. The ships fired all their artillery at
the elevation of the body of our Lord. After
mass had been said each one did the duty of a
Christian, receiving our Lord. After that the
captain had some sword-play by his people,
which gave great pleasure to the kings. Then he
had a cross brought, with the nails and crown,
to which the kings made reverence, and the
captain had them told that these things which he
showed them were the sign of the emperor his
lord and master, from whom he had charge and
commandment to place it in all places where he
might go or pass by. He told them that he
wished to place it in their country for their
profit, because if there came afterwards any
ships from Spain to those islands, on seeing this
cross, they would know that we had been there,
and therefore they would not cause them any
displeasure to their persons nor their goods; and
if they took any of their people, on showing
them this sign, they would at once let them go.
Besides this, the captain told them that it was
necessary that this cross should be placed on the
summit of the highest mountain in their country,
so that seeing it every day they might adore it,
and that if they did thus, neither thunder,
lightning, nor the tempest could hurt them. The
kings thanked the captain, and said they would
do it willingly. Then he asked whether they
were Moors or Gentiles, and what they
believed. They answered that they did not
perform any other adoration, but only joined
their hands, looking up to heaven, and that they
called their God, Aba. Hearing this, the captain
was very joyful, on seeing that, the first king
raised his hands to the sky and said that he
wished it were possible for him to be able to
show the affection which he felt towards him.
The interpreter asked him for what reason there
was so little to eat in that place, to which the
king replied that he did not reside in that place
except when he came to hunt and to see his
brother, but that he lived on another island
where he had all his family. Then the captain
asked him if he had any enemies who made war
upon him, and that if he had any he would go
and defeat them with his men and ships, to put
them under his obedience. The king thanked
him, and answered that there were two islands
the inhabitants of which were his enemies;
however, that for the present it was not the time
to attack them. The captain therefore said to
him that if God permitted him to return another
time to this country, he would bring so many
men that he would put them by force under his
obedience. Then he made the interpreter tell
them that he was going away to dine, and after
that he would return to place the cross on the
summit of the mountain. The two kings said
they were content, and on that they embraced
the captain, and he separated from them.
After dinner we all returned in our dress
coats, and we went together with the two kings
to the middle of the highest mountain we could
find, and there the cross was planted. After that
the two kings and the captain rested themselves;
and, while conversing, I asked where the best
port for obtaining victuals was. They replied
that there were three, that is to say, Ceylon,
Zzubu, and Calaghan, but that Zzubu was the
largest and of the most traffic. Then the kings
offered to give him pilots to go to those ports,
for which he thanked them, and deliberated to
go there, for his ill-fortune would have it so.
After the cross had been planted on that
mountain, each one said the Paternoster and
Ave Maria, and adored it, and the kings did the
like. Then we went down below to where their
boats were. There the kings had brought some
of the fruit called cocos and other things to
make a collation and to refresh us. The captain,
being desirous to depart the next day in the
morning, asked the king for the pilots to
conduct us to the above- mentioned ports,
promising him to treat them like themselves,
and that he would leave one of his own men as
a hostage. The first king said that he would go
himself and conduct him to this port, and be his
pilots but that he should wait two days, until he
had had his rice gathered in and done other
things which he had to do, begging him to lend
him some of his men so as to get done sooner.
This the captain agreed to.
This kind of people are gentle, and go
naked, and are painted. They wear a piece of
cloth made from a tree, like a linen cloth, round
their body to cover their natural parts: they are
great drinkers. The women are dressed in tree
cloth from their waists downwards; their hair is
black, and reaches down to the ground; they
wear certain gold rings in their ears. These
people chew most of their time a fruit which
they call areca, which is something of the shape
of a pear; they cut it in four quarters, and after
they have chewed it for a long time they spit it
out, from which afterwards they have their
mouths very red. They find themselves the
better from the use of this fruit because it
refreshes them much, for this country is very
hot, so that they could not live without it. In this
island there is a great quantity of dogs, cats,
pigs, fowls, and goats, rice, ginger, cocos, figs,
oranges, lemons, millet, wax, and gold mines.
This island is nine degrees and two-thirds north
latitude, and one hundred and sixty-two
longitude from the line of demarcation: it is
twenty-five leagues distant from the other island
where we found the two fountains of fresh
water. This island is named Mazzava.
Main Issue: The questions about where
the first mass happened in the Philippines came
from the dichotomy of understanding of
“Mazaua” based on the accounts of Pigafetta.
This led to the Limasawa and Masao, Butuan
debate.
1) MASAO, BUTUAN – The claim is
based on a tradition that was highly
observed from the 17th to19th century.
Historians claim that there has been no
mention of the
Limasawa Island is the primary source of
this dispute's history. Masaua according
to them are now in Masao.
2) LIMASAWA ISLAND – The accounts
of Pigafetta, jointly read with Francisco
Albo’s diary (in a form of a log book),
showed that Magellan’s expedition did
not reach Mindanao when they landed in
Homonhon. Instead, they have settled in
an island in a latitude similar to the
position of Limasawa today, south of
Leyte. In addition, that disputed location
in Masao is near a river, but there has
been no mention of such.
CAVITE MUTINY
Primary sources: The major sources of this
past event are the documents by the Spanish
historian, Jose Montero y Vidal; official report
of Gov. Gen. Rafael Izquierdo; by a Filipino
researcher, Dr. Trinidad Hermenigildo Pardo de
Tavera; and French writer, Edmund Plauchut.
Main issue: The accounts on this particular
history presents conflicts on the real reasons for
the mutiny.
Arguments:
1) SPANISH PERSPECTIVE – The
reports of Vidal and Izquierdo both
implicated that the rebellion was an
attempt to overthrow the Spanish
government. In particular, Izquierdo
reports that the Filipino clergy is behind
the mutiny to rally secularization.
Both have originally reported that
this “plan” was caused by the abolition of
the privileges of the workers of Cavite
arsenal, which include the non-payment of
taxes of tributes and the exemption from
forced labour. But, the two added several
causes like the overthrowing of the secular
throne through the Spanish revolution, the
unrestrained press disseminating unclean
propagandas, the books with liberal,
republican, and democratic ideals, and the
support and conspiracy of native priests to
replace the Spanish friars. For these reasons,
the GOMBURZA on February 17, 1872
were executed.
2) FILIPINO PERSPECTIVE - For the
Filipinos, the mutiny was a response to
the injustice in the society. This bloody
event, according to Tavera, was caused
by the eradication of privileges granted
to the soldiers and workers of the
arsenals in Cavite as a result of
Izquierdo’s hard- hearted policies. When
they found out that taxes and other
burdens had been deducted from their
salaries, they rose in arms on January 20,
1987. However, after two days, the
insurgency was subdued when Gen
Izquierdo ordered immediate
reinforcement of troops in Cavite.
In addition, Tavera reports that
the friars and Izquierdo have used the
mutiny to report a conspiracy of Filipino
residents and clergy to abolish the
government. This is in the eve of the
plan of the Central Government in
Madrid to remove the certain powers
 from the friars in the government and in
management of educational institutions.
In an article published by the National
Historical Commission of the Philippines
in 2012, these four primary sources have
been considered and some basic
suggested the following unvarying facts:
1. There was dissatisfaction among the
workers of the arsenal as well as the
members of the native army after their
privileges were drawn back by Gen.
Izquierdo;
2. Gen. Izquierdo introduced rigid and strict
policies that made the Filipinos move
and turn away from Spanish government
out of disgust;
3. The Central Government failed to
conduct an investigation on what truly
transpired but relied on reports of
Izquierdo and the friars and the opinion
of the public;
4. The happy days of the friars were
already numbered in 1872 when the
Central Government in Spain decided to
deprive them of the power to intervene in
government affairs as well as in the
direction and management of schools
prompting them to commit frantic moves
to extend their stay and power;
5. The Filipino clergy members actively
participated in the secularization
movement in order to allow Filipino
priests to take hold of the parishes in the
country making them prey to the rage of
the friars; 6)Filipinos during the time
were active participants, and responded
to what they deemed as injustices; and 7)
The execution of GOMBURZA was a
blunder on the part of the Spanish
government, for the action severed the
ill-feelings of the Filipinos and the event
inspired Filipino patriots to call for
reforms and eventually independence.
The mutiny may have a number of
versions from both sides, but one this is
for sure, it has been a gateway to a
number of events that led to the
Philippine Independence in 1898.
RETRACTION OF RIZAL
One of the most controversial documents
in Philippine history is the retraction of Jose
Rizal. Two texts have been published on this
matter – the first was on December 30, 1986 in
Diaro de Manila and La Voz Española; the
second one was on February 14, 1897 in La
Juventud. Both were said to be written by Fr.
Balaguer. Primary source: Here’s the alleged
original copy found by Fr. Manuel Garcia, CM
on May 18, 1935. Following are the text from
Fr. Balaguer in January 1987 and its English
translation.
English Translation:
I declare myself a catholic and in this Religion
in which I was born and educated I wish to live
and die. I retract with all my heart whatever in
my words, writings, publications and conduct
has been contrary to my character as a son of
the Catholic Church. I believe and I confess
whatever she teaches and I submit to whatever
she demands. I abominate Masonry, as the
enemy which is of the Church, and as a Society
prohibited by the Church. The Diocesan Prelate
may, as the Superior Ecclesiastical Authority,
make public this spontaneous manifestation of
mine in order to repair the scandal which my
acts may have caused and so that God and
people may pardon me.
Manila 29 of December of 1896
Jose Rizal
Main issue: Whether or not Jose Rizal retracted
in favor of the Catholic Church.
Arguments:
1) NO. RIZAL DID NOT RETRACT – A
number of historians question the
authenticity of the retraction document
citing several inconsistencies from
Rizal’s writing and even ideals.
The following are some of the observed
variances from the “original” document
and that of Fr. Balaguer:
a) Instead of the words “mi cualidad” (with “u”)
which appear in the original and the newspaper
texts, the Jesuits’ copies have “mi calidad”
(without “u”).
b) The Jesuits’ copies of the retraction omit the
word “Catolica” after the first “Iglesias” which
are found in the original and the newspaper
texts.
c) The Jesuits’ copies of the retraction add
before the third “Iglesias” the word “misma”
which is not found in the original and the
newspaper texts of the retraction.
d) With regards to paragraphing which
immediately strikes the eye of the critical
reader,
Fr. Balaguer’s text does not begin the second
paragraph until the fifth sentences while the
original and the newspaper copies start the
second paragraph immediately with the second
sentence.
e) Whereas the texts of the retraction in the
original and in the manila newspapers have only
four commas, the text of Fr. Balaguer’s copy
has eleven commas.
f) The most important of all, Fr. Balaguer’s
copy did not have the names of the witnesses
from the texts of the newspapers in Manila.
2) YES. RIZAL RETRACTED – Rizal
was Catholic when he died as a
consequence of his retraction. In fact, he
was buried in a Catholic cemetery. The
said document was alleged to be signed
two years before his execution. This was
done along with his profession of faith as
a requirement to marry Josephine
Bracken.
CRY OF BALINTAWAK
The exact date and location of a certain
past event are very important in the study of
history. The event that happened in August
1896 is highly considered as a significant
turning point in Philippine history. In this
lesson, the issues and arguments for the exact
date and location of the Cry will be examined.
The “cry” may be understood as decision
to revolt, the tearing of community tax
certificates or cedulas, or the encounter with
Spanish forces. Several sources to this event
presents several interpretations of the word.
But, what is worth dealing with is its exact date
and location.
One of the often examined sources to
this is of Pio Valenzuela. However, as years
passed by, his accounts also changed.
Ultimately, in 1935 with Pacheco and Pantas,
Valenzuela proclaimed that, “hindi sa
Balintawak nangyari ang unang sigaw ng
paghihimagsik na kinalalagian ngayon ng
bantayog, kung di sa pook na kilala sa tawag na
Pugad Lawin.” (The first Cry of the revolution
did not happen in Balintawak where the
monument is, but in a place called Pugad
Lawin.)
This greatly influenced the research
findings of National Historical Institute
(formerly Philippine Historical Committee)
when it identified in 1940 that Pugad Lawin is
actually located as part of sitio Gulod, Banlat,
Kalookan City. Subsequently, it was identified
to be the place of Tandang Sora and the cry
happened on August 23.
On another primary source, Mga Gunita ng
Himagsikan (1964) by Emilio Aguinaldo has
presented the following letter from Andres
Bonifacio:
Noong ika-22 ng Agosto, 1896, ang
Sangguniang Magdalo ay tumanggap ng isang
lihim na sulat mula sa Supremo Andres
Bonifacio, sa Balintawak, na nagsasaad na isang
mahalagang pulong ang kanilang idadaos sa
ika-24 ng nasabing buwan, at lubhang kailangan
na kami ay magpadala roon ng dalawang
kinatawan o delegado sa ngalan ng sanggunian.
Ang pulong aniya’y itataon sa kaarawan ng
kapistahan ng San Bartolome sa Malabon,
Tambobong. kapagkarakang matanggap ang
nasabing paanyaya, an gaming Pangulo na si G.
Baldomero Aguinaldo, ay tumawag ng pulong
sa tribunal ng Cavite el Viejo… Nagkaroon
kami ng pag-aalinlangan sa pagpapadala roon
ng aming kinatawan dahil sa kaselanang
pagdararanang mga pook at totoong mahigpit at
abot-abot ang panghuli ng mag Guardia Civil at
Veterana sa mga naglalakad lalung -lalo na sa
mag pinaghihinalaang mga mason at Katipunan.
Gayon pa man ay aming hinirang at
pinagkaisahang ipadalang tanging Sugo ang
matapang na kapatid naming si G. Domingo
Orcullo… Ang aming Sugo ay nakarating ng
maluwalhati sa kanyang paroonan at nagbalik
din na wala naming sakuna, na taglay ang sulat
ng Supremo na may petsang 24 ng Agosto.
Doon ay wala naming sinasabing kautusan,
maliban sa patalastas na kagugulat-gulat na
kanilang lulusubin ang Maynila, sa Sabado ng
gabi, ika-29 ng Agosto, at ang hudyat ay ang
pagpatay ng ilaw sa Luneta. Saka idinugtong pa
na marami diumano ang nahuli at napatay ng
Guardia Civil at Veterana sa kanyang mga
kasamahan sa lugar ng Gulod…
This primary source clearly has
overthrown the Cry of Pugad Lawin on August
23, 1896 in the Bahay Toro, Kalookan. The
letter cited in the memoirs suggests that the
event was closer to Balintawak. Furthermore, in
the discussions of the Philippine Historical
Association in February 2003, a descendant of
Tandang Sora protested that “Pugad Lawin”
was literally pertaining to the hawk nests on top
of a Sampaloc tree at Gulod near Balintawak.
Contemporary studies may have concluded that
it was the Cry of Balintawak at around noon of
Monday, August 24, 1896 at the site of the barn
and house of Tandang Sora in Gulod, now
barangay Banlat, Quezon City. Moreover, the
studies reiterated that Filipinos, in light of this
event, must celebrate the following:

English translation: a) The establishment of a revolutionary or the

facto government that was republican in
On 22 August 1896, the Magdalo aspiration;
Council received a secret letter from Supremo b) The designation of Bonifacio as the
Andres Bonifacio, in Balintawak, which stated Kataastaasang Pangulo (Supreme President),
that the Katipunan will hold an important c) The election of the members of his cabinet
meeting on the 24th of the said month, and that ministers and Sanggunian and Balangay heads.
it was extremely necessary to send two
representatives or delegates in the name of the
said Council. The meeting would be timed to
coincide with the feast day of Saint
Bartholomew in Malabon, Tambobong. Upon
receiving the said invitation, our President, Mr.
Baldomero Aguinaldo, called a meeting at
Tribunal of Cavite el Viejo… We were
apprehensive about sending representatives
because the areas they would have pass through
were dangerous and was a fact that the Civil
Guard and Veterans were arresting travellers,
especially those suspected of being freemasons
and members of Katipunan. Nevertheless, we
agreed and nominated to send a single
representative in the person of our brave
brother, Mr. Domingo Orcullo… Our
representative arrived safely at his destination
and also returned unharmed, bearing a letter
from the Supremo dated 24 August. It contained
no orders but the shocking announcement that
the Katipunan would attack Manila at night on
Saturday, 29 August, the signal for which
would be the putting out of the lamps in Luneta.
He added that many of his comrade had been
captured and killed by the Civil Guard and
Veterans in Gulod…