LIMASAWA
The evidence of Albo's log-book: Based on
the testimony of Francisco Albo who was
one of the eighteenth survivors who
returned with Sebastian Elcano. He keeps in
his diary or Log-book on the voyage out
while they were sailing Southward in the
Atlantic along the coast of the South
America.
According to him the island that he calls
Gada seems to be the acquada of Pigafetta,
namely the isaland of Homonhon where
they took supplies of wood and water. The
large island of Seilani which they coasted in
the island of Leyte. Coasting southwards
along with eastern coast of that island, then
turning southwest they came upon a small
island named, Mazava. That fits the location
of a small island of Limasawa. It isto be
noted that Albo does not mention the first
Mass, only the planting of cross upon the
mountain top from which could be seenthe
three islands to the west and southwest.This
also fits the southern end of Limasawa. It
does not fit the the coast of Butuan from
which no islands could be seen to the
southwest but only towards the North.
The Evidence from Antonio Pigafetta’s
Account
A. Pigafettas testimony regarding the
route.
B. The evidence of Pigafetta’s Maps
 Firstmap (Blair and Robertson)
 Second Map (BR33) double
map
 Third Map (BR33) Island of
Mazaua
BUTUAN
The evidence from Butuan tradition. In the
17th century. According to the Jesuit historian
Father Francisco Colin, Magellan went first to
Butuan, then toLimawasa and from thence to
Cebu. However, Father Francisco Combés
mentioned two visits to Limawasa: in his
version, Magellan visits Limawasa first, from
there he goes to Butuan; then he returns to
Limawasa. Both of them agree that it was
from Limasawa and with the help of
Limasawa's chieftain that the Magellan
expedition went to Cebu. They both also agree
that Magellan arrived in Cebu on the 7th of
April 1521, that is to say, on the octave of
Easter or one week after first Mass which in
this tradition was supposed to have been cel
at Butuan Both were to exercise a strong
influence over subsequent writers of History
of the Philippines. In 18th Century Based on
Colin which seems to have been
misunderstood and may have misled some
later writers of his book in which he
describesthe island of Mindanao. One of the
major historian that made this error was
Augustinian: Fray Juan de la Conception, he
says about Magellan's coming and about the
first mass in the Philippine Islands.
1. He seems to think that the islands
called "Las Velas" and the Marianos
Islands and the archipelago of San
Lazaro were all one and the same
thing.
2. He has misconstrued Magellan's
route,depicting high as sighting the
southeastern tip of Mindanao and
sailing northwards along specific
coastof this island, and then entering
by the Siargao Strait into Limasawa
which is at the entrance of the strait.
C. The two Kings With the help of two
native kings presence confirmed
evidence at Mazaua during the
Magellan visit. One was the king of
Mazaua and the second one was the
king orRajah of Butuan
D. Seven Days at Mazaua
1. Thursday, 28 March-arrival of
Magellan and companion in an island.
2. Friday, 29 March-"Next day, Holy
day"
3. Saturday 30 March-spent previous
evening feasting and drinking with the
king.
4. Sunday, 31 March-the last of
Marchand Easter day, obtain foods in
Zebu port.
In the 19th CenturyAccording to
Augustinian, fray Joaquin Martinez de
Zuniga that the Butuan tradition was
taken for granted and we find it
mentioned in writer after writing each
copying from the Previous and being in
turn copied by those who came after.
But shorn of these peripheral errors,
the essence of the Butuan tradition
was accepted by even otherwise
careful scholars at the end of the 19th
and the early decades of 20th century.
Colin’s account:Mage llan went first to
Butuan, then to Limasawa and from
there to Cebu.
Father Francisco Combes:Magellan
visits Limasawa first; from there he
goes to Butuan; then he returns to
Limasawa and then to cebu.

5. Monday 1 April-No work was done

6. Tuesday 2 April & Wednesday 3
April-work on the harvest during
"during the next two days “
7. Thursday 4 April - leave. Mazaua,
bound for Cebu

E. Confirmatory evidence from the

Legazpi expedition: The 1971
expedition of naval historian Samuel
Eliot Morison and Colombian historian
Mauricio Obregon and the accounts of
Spanish Naval engineer Ignacio
Fernandez.
 CONCLUSION
We therefore conclude, that the site of the first Mass in the Philippines
happened in Limasawa on the Easter Sunday of March 1521. As you can see in
the given evidences. However, based on the facts, one has articulated
effectively, the chronology of events is accurate to the supplied evidences, and
it is on Limasawa. While researching the history of the first mass in the church, a
mistake was discovered. It's important to note that the Butuan tradition is
founded on hearsay.

Case Study:

CASE STUDY 1:

Where did the First Catholic Mass take Place in the Philippines?