CHAPTER 2 Controversies in Philippine History Introduction i Si ner events in the past always have different versions, like choices i multiple choice test, it depends upon whose narration will you believe in. As eyewitnesses and even people who actually took part in the significant have contradicting narrations, this complicates the study of history. While many may agree that what counts is the event d and its contributions to what we are and what we have today, history enthusiasts would continue to seek and demand the exact narration of events to finally put to rest these controversies. The emergence of modern technology has little contribution to shed light to these controversies, it is a must for the historians to put to rest on these while the primary and secondary sources are still available. Gmrensea Learning Outcomes After having gone through the chapter, the student will be able to: 1. Narrate the controversial historical event; 2. Support a particular account or version of controversial historical event by providing primary and secondary sources; and 3. Compare and contrast different accounts or versions of controversial historical event. Site of the First Mass Introduction Where was the first official Roman Catholic mass held? Accounts of the historians differ as to where was the holy sacrament was celebrated by Father Pedro Valderrama on Easter morning of March 31, 1521, whether it was in Limasawa, Southern Leyte or Masao, Butuan City. Comparing the narratives it is clear that the term used to describe the place are almost similar to one another + as it is called either, Mazava, Mazagua, Mazaua or Masao but they were unanimous that the place was abundant in gold and spices. While the enactment of law in 1960 has temporarily put to rest the issue, there is a need of careful and thorough investigation for the people Limasawa and the people of Butuan. Scanned with CamScannerArguments in Favor of Limasawa, Southern Leyte Francisco Albo’s Account A journal or log of Magallanes voyage was written by Francisco Albo, covering the voyage from Cape San Agustin in Brazil until the “Victoria” (the first ship to circumnavigate to globe) returned to Spain (Blair & Robertson, 1975). The log begins November 29, 1519, and ends September 4, 1522. From the account: March 1516, they sight more islands, giving names to two, Suluan and Yunagan ~ the first island of the archipelago of San Lazaro (the Philippines). They land successively at the islands of Gada, Seilani, and Mazava, and pass by or anchor at Matan, Subu, Baibai. “We left Subu sailing southeast... Betwveen the Cape of Subu and an island named Bohol; and on the western side of the Cape of Subu is another island, by name, Panilongo, inhabited by blacks. This island and Subu have gold and quantities of ginger.” Notice the word “Mazava” was the site where the expedition landed. Miguel Lopez De Legaspi and/or Hernando Riquel (Court Clerk of the Home Office) Account Based on the May 1564 Report of the Occurrences on the Voyage and Journey of the Armada of His Majesty under the Command of General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in the Discovery of the Islands of the West. The expedition as we know, was led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, who was on board the San Pedro, together with head technician, navigator Andres de Urdaneta and Hernando Riquel, court clerk of the Home Office (San Agustin Museum & Jose Ramon de Miguel, 2009). “In the morning of February 13, 1564, they caught sight of the Philippines. The expedition entered the Philippines at the island of Samar called Tandaya. Based on the descriptions of the pilots and on a map drawn on their charts by Martinez Fortun and Diego Martin, we can conclude without any doubt that the point of arrival was island of Tubabao on the coast of Samar, situated on latitude 12° 07° and 125° 33° east. Magellan had reached the Philippines making landfall at this same point. On March 9, after consultation with the officers, it was decided that the expedition go to the island of Mazagua, now called Limasawa. Notice the word “Mazagua” was the site where the expedition landed. But based on the accounts, the Legazpi-Urdaneta Expedition followed exactly the route of Magellan’s voyage. Scanned with CamScannerPigafetta’s Account © In Antonio Pigafetta’s account “Primo Viaggio Intorno Al Mondo” (First oyage Around the World) events of 1519-1522. He narrated the Magellan's voyage while James Alexander Robertson translated it into English language. The transcript is made from the original document, which exists in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milan, Italy. The narration of Pigafetta’s account was taken from Blair & Robertson (1975). “Early on the morning of Sunday, the last of March, and Easter- day, the captain-general sent the priest with some men to prepare the place where mass was to be said; together with the interpreter to tell the king that we were not going to land in order to dine with him, but to say mass. ___ «There are dogs, cats, swine, fowls, goats, rice, ginger,cocoa-nuts, figs (e., bananas), oranges, lemons, millet, panicum, sorgo, wax, and a quantity of gold in THAT ISLAND. It lies in latitude of nine and two- thirds degrees toward the Arctic Pole, and ina longitude of one hundred and sixty-two degrees from the line of demarcation. It is twenty-five from the Acquada, and is called MAZAUA. Jose Arcilla, Historian Jose Arcilla, author of ‘Introduction to Philippine History”, maintained that Magellan never stepped on the grounds of Butuan where the alleged first mass took place. “On March 16, 1521, Magellan reached the Philippines. In Limasawa, the islanders and Europeans quickly became friends. The islanders described to the newcomers other places, like Butuan and Calagan (Caraga), but Magellan did not go there”. Arguments in Favor of Masao, Butuan City Gregorio Zaide (2002) provides narration of what transpired during the first mass in the Philippines, below is his narration: “Another important event took place at Butuan. The first mass was held on the shore of Masao, Butuan on Easter morning, March 31, 1521. It was said that Father Pedro de Valderrama, the Spanish chaplain officiated the mass. The Filipino kings and their men attended the mass along with Magellan and his men. After the mass, the Filipinos were treated to a fencing exhibition by the Spaniards. Then, at sunset of the same day, Magellan planted a huge wooden cross on the top of the hill overlooking the sea.” Scanned with CamScannerZaide also enumerated five (6) points favoring Masao, Butuan City as the site of the first mass in the Philippines. These are: first is the name of the place, as various accounts provide that the place where the mass was held has three syllables which is “Masao” while “Limasawa” has four syllables. Second, path leading to Homonhon as the sources provide that the ship sailed 20 to 30 leagues from Homonhon and the first destination to the site of the first mass, taking a west southwest course. Third, location of the latitude, other primary sources locate the place at 90 north latitude, and others at 9 2/3°. With this location, it easily takes away Limasawa as a possible site because it is closer by 10 degrees and supports the claim of Masao, Butuan because it is exactly at nine degrees. Fourth, the passage to Cebu which is perfectly similar to the one taken by the sailors from Cebu to Butuan. Fifth, the material cultures in Butuan such as the practice of making bonfires, the ‘balanghai” in which Butuan is the site of at least nine (9) excavated “balanghai” relics, and the houses by which natives of Masao build their houses on stilts as compared to the natives of Limasawa which built low houses as a protection against typhoons. Lastly, the geographical features of Butuan. The following geographical features of Butuan are as follows: (1) the abundance of gold in Masao as opposed to Limasawa; and (2) a developed settlement in which it is believed that Butuan was a developed port long before the Westerns came. Accounts at the End of the 19th Century and Start of the 20th Century Supporting Butuan as the Site of the First Mass Fred Atkinson, author of “The Philippine Islands” published in 1905, provides in his book: ” But without lingering Magellan continued westward and in March reaches BUTUAN, on the northern shore of Mindanao, where he landed and raising a cross on a small hill nearby and celebrating the FIRST MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES, took possession of the island in the name of the king of Spain, and began to win over the people to Spanish authority (Atkinson, 1905).” John Ford, author of “Additional Pages from an American Cruiser in the East” which was published in 1898, provides in his book: “On November 26, 1520, he (Magellan) found himself on the broad Pacific, and boldly stood to the northward, and on March 16, 1521, he reached Ladrones Islands, and sailed along the north coast of Mindanao. During Easter week of the same year he arrived at the entrance to the Butuano River, where the FIRST MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES was celebrated.” Written also in the Military Notes on the Philippines in September 1898 at the United States Adjutant-General’s Office a recognition of Butuan as the site of the first mass in the Philippines, the account states: Scanned with CamScanner“Butuan town is situated on the right bank of the river Butuan, about 18 miles from the mouth, and contains some 2,000 inhabitants, chiefly engaged in working a gold mine in the vicinity. The anchorage is frequented by traders from Port Misamis, and from Cebu, and Mr. Looney remarks that he carried from 3 to 5 fathoms of water between the bar of the river and the town. The water of the river at Butuan is fresh and used for drinking. The town of Bi UTUAN is celebrated in history as being the place where Magellan landed after his anchorage near Limasawa Island, and where he celebrated the FIRST MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES.” On June 19, 1960, Republic Act No. 2733, called the Limasawa Law was enacted without the signature of the President of the Philippines. This law recognized Limasawa as the site of the first mass in the Philippines. Obviously, some would question if an act of Congress is the proper measure to correct or ~ change our history. Below is the text of the law. Republic Act No. 2733 AnActto Declare the Site in Magallanes, Limasawa Island in the Province of Leyte, Where the First Mass in the Philippines was Held as a National Shrine to provide For the Preservation of Historical Monuments and Monuments Thereat and For Other Purposes Section 1. The site in Magallanes, Limasawa Island in the Province of Leyte, where the first mass in the Philippines was held is hereby declared a national shrine to commemorate the birth of Christianity in the Philippines. Section 2. All historical monuments and landmarks in said site shall be preserved and/or reconstructed whenever necessary as much as possible in their original form and are hereby declared national historical monuments and landmarks. Section 3. The National Planning Commission shall exercise supervision and control over the reconstruction and/or preservation of the aforesaid site and monuments, and shall issue rules and regulations to effectuate the preceding sections of this Act. Section 4. Necessary funds for the purposes of this Act shall be provided for in the annual appropriations for public works and disbursements shall be made by the National Planning Commission under such rules and regulations as the Auditor General may prescribe. Section 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. Enacted without Executive approval on June 19, 1960 Scanned with CamScanner