Name: Christene Jane M.

Olegario Program: AB- POLSCI I

Course: GE RPHIS. Block: 30

NARRATIVE REPORT: SITE OF THE FIRST MASS

The site of the first mass in the Philippines held cultural and significant historical in our
life now. The first mass is vital event that marked us a being Christianity in our country. In this
captivating story , behind this significant site, and a big impact in our Philippine history. Way
back on March 31, 1521, the first mass was held— Easter Sunday. There was two primary
sources refers to identifying the site of the first mass; Franciso Albo and Antonio Pigafetta.

Francisco Albo, a pilot of one Magellan's ship, Trinidad. He is the one of 18 survivors
who returned with Sebastian Elcano on the Victoria after they circumnavigated the world. In
Albo's account the location of Mazava fits the location of Limasawa. However, he not mention
the first mass, but he stated that Magellan placed the cross "upon a mountain-top from which
could be seen three islands to the west and southwest". Otherwise, Antonio Pigaffeta ne of the
18 survivors of Magellan Expedition. They both asserted that from the island of Homonhon
they went westward towards the island of Leyte and turned to a southwest direction to reach
this island. Also they both coincide and corborate each other. Furthermore, in Pigaffeta'e
account gave more detaild on what they did during weeklong stay at Mazau.

The first evidence accordance to the accounts of Pigafetta and Francisco Albo who are
eye-witnesses of the Magellan's voyage both stated that the first mass in the Philippines . And
to support this, Antonio Pigafetta testified that he gave a gift of certain things to the queen
Mother of France - Louise of Savory and mother of Francis 1. Gian Battista Ramusio mentioned
that a copy of Pigafetta's account was given to Louise of Savory. Whereas, this manuscripts
were translated to French by Jacques Fabre and imprinted by Simon de Colins. And also, there
was a monument erected during 1872 to commemorate the First Mass in Butuan on April
8,1521. In Mora said the documents, primary sources and maps from the 16th century confirm
that the island of Mazaua was the site of an Easter Sunday Mass on March 31, 1521 and that on
a hill on this island a cross was raised to be seen from afar.
 Some other people believe that first mass was held at Masau ( which is now Butuan
City ). But with that, the National Historical Commissions of the Philippines said that
the arguments and evidence provided by pro-Butuan advocates are not complete and were
indeed insufficient to cover andjustify everything that the first mass was held in Masao, Butuan.
Using the primary sources available, Jesuit priest Miguel A. Bernad in his work Butuan or
Limasawa: The Site of the First Mass in the Philippines: A Reexamination of Evidence (1981) lays
down the argument that in the Pigafetta account, a crucial aspect of Butuan was not mentioned
the river. Butuan is a riverine settlement, situated on the Agusan River.

Eight months before the 500th anniversary of the "first" Mass in the country, the Natiorial
Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has determined that Portuguese explorer
Ferdinand Magellan and his Spanish contingent held the event in Limasawa town, Southern
Leyte. This enables us to understand the worldwe live in. Understanding this Historical events
enables us to develop greater appreciation for current events today. Particularly the First
Catholic Mass in the Philippines was held on March 31, 1521, Easter Sunday. It was officiated by
a priest named Father Pedro Valderrama in the shore of Mazaua in Pigafetta's journal, whom
people believe is the town specifically in the shore of Limasawa in Southern Leyte. It is
popularly known as the birthplace of the Church in the Philippines.

Visiting the site of the first mass in the Philippines is an opportunity to relive a defining
chapter in our nation's history. This sacred ground serves as a testament to the enduring impact
of the introduction of Christianity and the cultural fusion that ensued.