FIRST CLAIM: Where the first mass in the Philippines occurred.

In the First Voyage

Around the World by Pigafetta, the first mass on the Philippine Islands happened on the
first Sunday after the holy Friday (Good Friday). Which places it at 8 April, 1521.
Pigafetta did not explicitly specify where the mass took place. The only clue of
where it happened is that he stated that the crew were with Raia Colambu and Raia
Siaui, kings of Butuan and Calagan island. “That island was called Butuan and Calagan.
The name of the first king is Raia Colambu and the second Raia Siaui…It is twenty-five
leagues from Acquada, and is called Masaua” Throughout Philippine History, it is widely
accepted that the first Mass in the Philippines happened in Butuan, in the island of
Masaua.

Because of the lack of

supporting evidences, historians
found out that the Butuan
tradition is
invalid thereby coming up
with a better tradition: the
Limasawa tradition. Although
the
Limasawa tradition came after
the Butuan, it was proven with
evidences that the first mass in
the
Philippines took place in
Limasawa Island in Visayas on
March 31, 1521. It was also
affirmed
that in the same date, Magellan
with his troops planted a cross
on the same site (Cebu Living:
The good life in the Beautiful
Island, 2006). The tradition,
unlike the other, is supported
with a
number of solid proofs which
includes the Albo’s log book,
evidences of Pigafetta, and the
evidence from Legazpi’s
expedition. In Albo’s account,
he did not mention the first
mass and
where it took place.
Because of the lack of
supporting evidences, historians
found out that the Butuan
tradition is
invalid thereby coming up
with a better tradition: the
Limasawa tradition. Although
the
Limasawa tradition came after
the Butuan, it was proven with
evidences that the first mass in
the
Philippines took place in
Limasawa Island in Visayas on
March 31, 1521. It was also
affirmed
that in the same date, Magellan
with his troops planted a cross
on the same site (Cebu Living:
The good life in the Beautiful
Island, 2006). The tradition,
unlike the other, is supported
with a
number of solid proofs which
includes the Albo’s log book,
evidences of Pigafetta, and the
evidence from Legazpi’s
expedition. In Albo’s account,
he did not mention the first
mass and
where it took place.
CONTROVERSY: However, it was more feasible that the first mass took place in the
island of Limasawa since it had a safe and rich harbor while Masaua didn’t have any
during that time. Also considering the fact that Magellan’s crew was always finding port
areas and large cities to trade spices, which is the reason why they found themselves in
Zubu (Modern day Cebu). Comparing Pigafetta’s Journal with Albo’s log, his log during
that time fits the location of Limasawa (9 54’N), at the southern tip of Leyte, rather than
that of Masaua. It is also strange that Pigafetta called the island Mazaua, instead of
Limasawa, where they’re geographically located according to the log of Albo. Albo’s
Journal didn’t also mention the occurrence of a mass taking place. But only the planting
of the cross on the mountain top. Both of which is present in Pigafetta and Albo’s
accounts.
Source 1:
 Diary of Antnonio Pigafetta and the Chronicles of Magellan’s Voyage
 The Expedition travelled to 20-25 leagues from Humonhon, the first landing point
  The distance to Cebu from MAzaua according to Pigefetta was 35 league (140
miles). The distance from LImasawa to cebu is only 80 miles
 It is mentioned that the king came to their ship in a balanghai. Butuan is now the
site of atleast 9 excavated balanghai relics; by contrast Limasawa has no
significant of archeological relics or balanghai tradition
 Abundance of Gold in Agusan Valley

SECOND CLAIM: The miracle on the process of converting the natives to Christianity, Magellan asked
the natives as to why they haven’t burned the artifacts of their idols, and haven’t stopped sacrificing
animals as they had promised. The natives replied that they were offering them for a sick man so he may
gain health. The sick man turned out to be the Prince’s brother. He’s so sick that he’s bedridden and
haven’t spoke for 4 days. Magellan told them that if he were to be baptized he would quickly heal.

After being baptized, the sick man spoke for the first time, and within days, could already walk.
CONTROVERSY: Magellan’s act caused the natives to strengthen their faith and to convert more
towards Christianity. However, there are many factors to consider as to how the sick man recovered.
According to Pigafetta, Magellan gives the sick man almond milk and food on a daily basis, which could
have aided his recovery. In today’s time, it is not entirely feasible that the sick man recovered through
being baptized through Christianity, like how Pigafetta presents it through his writing. The claim is more
likely a bias on the part of Pigafetta.
THIRD CLAIM: Who killed Magellan? Throughout taking history classes ever since I was elementary,
my teachers have always claimed that Lapu-Lapu was the one who killed Magellan. During the battle of
Mactan, Lapu-Lapu struck Magellan with a spear which caused him his death. That is why Lapu Lapu
was considered to be the first bayani.
CONTROVERSY: But according to the accounts of Pigafetta, it wasn’t said that Lapu Lapu was the one
fully responsible for the death of their Captain General. There were a battalion of soldiers, most
especially the forces of Cilapulapu and any one of them could have killed the Captain General.