CONTROVERSIES and CONFLICTING

VIEWS in PHILIPPINE History

The Site of the

First Catholic
Mass
 "One Past But Many Histories":
Controversies And Conflicting Views in Philippine History

There is more to just reading history. There is also the task of studying
historical accounts. Much of our history is written because there are
accounts of eyewitness or participants of specific events.
As the saying in historical studies goes, "there is one past but many
histories." Thus, controversies on and conflicting views of events in
Philippine history exist.
Author's Background
Rolando Orbeta Borrinaga
Born on July 25, 1957 in Naval, Philippines
Education:
1980 - Silliman University, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural
1987 - University Philippines, Master in Management
Career:
Research Writer, Research and Development Project University
Philippines, School of Health Science in Tacloban City (1980 - 1982)
Researcher United Nations Fund for Population Activities in Tacloban
City, Philippines (1988 - 1989) etc.
Achievement/s:
Rolando Orbeta Borrinaga has been listed as a noteworthy Health
Sciences Educator by Marquis Who's Who.

(Reference: https://prabook.com/web/mobile/#!profile/260688)
Antonio Pigafetta
Born at 1491 at Vicenza
Died around 1531
He is an Italian scholar and explorer from the republic of
Venice
He travelled with the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan
He is one of the 18 men who retured to Spain in 1522
(Reference: https://dbpedia.org/page/Antonio_Pigafetta)
 Francisco Albo
Albo was from the island of Rhodes in Greece
He is a pilot of the Victoria
He is also one of the 18 men who returned to Spain in 1522
(Reference: https://philippinediaryproject.com/about-the-philippine-diary-project/about-
the-diaries/about-francisco-albo/)

*Both of them are the eyewitness of the first mass in the Philippines.
Learning Outcome:
1. Explain why there were conflicts and controversies in the
Philippine history of the first catholic mass;
2. Identify the site whether in Limasawa in Leyte or in Masao in
Butuan and;
3. Explain the importance of the historical documents
FIRST MASS
The first documented Catholic Mass in
the Philippines was held on March 31,
1521, for the celebration of Easter
Sunday.
It was conducted by Father Pedro de
Valderrama of Ferdinand Magellan's
expedition - Two native chieftains were
present: Rajah Siagu and Rajah Colambu.
Conducted near the shores of the island,
the First Holy Mass marked the birth of
Roman Catholicism in the Philippines.
The Two native chieftains agreed to
negotiate with Magellan as a sign of
friendship and companionship.
As a gift, Magellan ordered his people to
plant a large wooden cross and place it
on top of a mountain which could be
seen the island.
After that, Rajah Colambu accompanied
Magellan's companions back to Cebu.
LIMASAWA ISLAND in LEYTE
The first mass was held
on Easter Sunday, March
31, 1521 on an island
called "Mazaua."
Celebrated by Fr. Pedro
Valderama the chaplain
of the expedition.
PIGAFETTA's ACCOUNT
Holy Thursday, the 28th of March 1521
- They anchored off an island.
- That island is in nine degree and two-thirds
north latitude, and one hundred and sixty-
two longitude from the line of demarcation.
- This island is called "Mazaua."
Friday, March 29, 1521. Holy Friday
- Exchanging of gifts
- The native king and his companions
returned ashore, bringing with them two
members of Magellan's expedition as
guests for the night.
Saturday
- Pigafetta and his companion took
leave of their hosts and returned to the
ships.
Sunday, March 31, 1521
- Early in the morning of Sunday, the
last of March and Easter Sunday. The
day when the first mass in the
Philippines was held.
- They stay in Mazaua in 7 days.
ALBO's ACCOUNT
Mazaua lies at latitude of 9 and two-thirds degrees
North and it fits the location of the small island of
Limasawa, south of Leyte.
Only the planting of cross upon a mountain top
which could be seen 3 island to the west and
southwest was mentioned.
ALBO and PIGAFETTA's ACCOUNT
The itinerary of Magellan's expedition shaw that
they did not go to butuan or any other point on the
Mindanao Coast.
But after the Magellan's death, the survivors of the
expedition went to Mindanao.
(Reference: https://archive.org/details/firstvoyageround00piga/page/n51/mode/1up?
view=theater
https://www.academia.edu/)
 MASAO ISLAND in BUTUAN
1872: A monument to commemorate the site of the first mass on the Philippines
was erected in Butuan.
1953: The people in Butuan asked the Philippine Historical Committee to
rehabilitate the monument or place a marker on the site.
On the basis of this objection the monument was re-erected but the marble slab
stating it was the site of first mass was removed.
To the Immortal Magellan the People of Butuan with their Parish Priest and the
Spaniards resident therein, to commemorate his arrival and the celebration of
the first mass on this site on March 31, 1521. Erected in 1872 , under the District
Governor Jose Ma. Carvallo
(Reference: https://journals.ateneo.edu/ojs/index.php/budhi/article/download/582/579?
fbclid=IwAR2EafdcJuQnNrJFu73mg9ks34pvoEAlbUvOUFrzdR3JWC5Kx-w_irWNWWE)
 Historical
Documents
Implication
On March 31, 1521, an Easter Sunday, Magellan
ordered a Mass to be celebrated which was
officiated by Father Pedro Valderrama, the
Andalusian chaplain of the fleet, the only
priest then. Conducted near the shores of the
island, the First Holy Mass marked the birth of
Roman Catholism in the Philippines.
(Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Mass_in_the_Philippines#:~:text=On%20March%2031%2C%201521%
2C%20an,Roman%20Catholicism%20in%20the%20Philippines.)
Relevance
Multi-perspectives. And some historians would call this as "One Past But
Many Histories."
In Francisco Albo's Log
In Albo's account, he mentioned about the planting of the cross on the top
of the hill.
In Antonio Pigafetta's Testimony on the Route of Magellan's Expedition
"Watering Place of Good Omen" (Acquada la di bouni segnialli)
"Mazaua Island", where in Albo's account, he mentioned "Mazava" while
Pigafetta's account mentioned it "Masawa" and this is the conflicting
P.O.V.
Jesuit priest Miguel A. Bernad, using the primary sources available, in his work
Butuan or Limasawa: The Site of the First Mass in the Philippines: A
Reexamination of Evidence (1981)
(Reference: https://youtu.be/VyJSqs91Fg4)
Socratic Method:
1. What are the issues concerning the First
Mass held in the Philippines?
2. Where is the site of the First Mass of 31st
March 1521?
3. Why do we have controversies and
conflicting views of events in the Philippine
history?
 GROUP 3
LUNAR, April Joy
MERCADER, Lilibeth
MIRAS, Francine Marel
OBNAMIA, Louie Rose
PANGANIBAN, Joyce