WHERE DID THE FIRST CATHOLIC MAS HAPPENED IN THE PHILIPPINES?

LIMASAWA OR BUTUAN CITY?

Executive Summary

This case study explores the long-running controversy over the site of the first Catholic

Mass held in the Philippines, concentrating on the opposing viewpoints of Butuan City and

Limasawa. This study looks closely at historical documents, archeological data, and academic

viewpoints to find the most likely location for the first Catholic Mass in the Philippine

archipelago. The thesis posits that although there are two opposing stories in the evidence and

narratives, a closer look at primary sources and contextual analysis suggests that Limasawa is the

more likely location for this historic event.

Introduction

The question of where the first Catholic Mass in the Philippines occurred has been a

subject of contention and scholarly debate for centuries. Two prominent locations, Limasawa and

Butuan City, claim to have hosted this remarkable occasion. The historical controversy of where

the first Catholic Mass was held in the archipelago coincides with the advent of Catholicism to

the Philippines. Nevertheless, conflicting accounts caused academic debate, historical research,

and a search for solid proof, resulting in an intriguing historical issue over the actual site of the

first Catholic Mass in the Philippines.

The first documented Catholic Mass in the Philippines was held on March 31, 1521,

Easter Sunday. Father Pedro de Valderrama led the ceremony as the fleet's chaplain and the only

priest present on the island at the time. Conducted close to the island's coast, it symbolized the
beginning of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines. The earliest indigenous people to live in the

archipelago were the Siagu and Colambu. The name "Philippines" was not given to the group

until Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, along with other indigenous people, traveled there in 1543 to

attend Mass (Agoncillo, 1974).

It is widely acknowledged that Magellan celebrated the first Catholic Mass in the

Philippines on the little island of Limasawa in Southern Leyte. Accounts from chronicler

Antonio Pigafetta, who traveled with Magellan's expedition, corroborate this assertion. Butuan

City in Mindanao, on the other hand, also claims its historical position, arguing that it was the

site of the first mass said before Magellan's arrival, supported by evidence of pre-Hispanic trade

links and early Christian artifacts discovered nearby.

Case Analysis

Evidence for the Site of Limasawa

● Evidence of Albo’s Logbook

Francisco Albo was one of the crew members of Magellan's flagship, Trinidad,

and more precisely the pilot, or "contra-maestre." He was among the eighteen survivors

that traveled around the world in Victoria with Sebastian Elcano and returned to Spain.

He started recording his own journal in a logbook while traveling southward on the

Atlantic along Brazil's coast.

As per his statement, the island he refers to as Gada appears to be the acquada of

Pigafetta, namely the island of Homonhon, from where they obtained water and wood

supplies. Leyte was the location of the enormous island of Seilani, where they coasted.

They discovered a little island called Mazava after coasting south along that island's
 eastern coast and then veering to the southwest. That makes sense, given where

Limasawa is. Interestingly, Albo only talks about the crosses that were placed on the

mountain, from where the three islands to the west and southwest could be seen. The

southern tip of Limasawa matches this as well. It doesn't work on the Butuan coast

because there are no islands visible to the southwest but only to the north.

● Pigafetta’s Testimony on the Route of Magellan’s Expedition

The detailed documentation of Magellan's Philippine expedition by Antonio

Pigafetta unveils critical details concerning potential locations for the first Catholic Mass

in the Philippines. They first spotted Zamal Island on March 16, 1521, and landed on

Homonhon the following day. They named the entire archipelago the "Islands of Saint

Lazarus," matching the Gospel reading for the day. This religious thread continues on

March 25, the feast day of the Annunciation, which commemorates the departure from

Homonhon and Pigafetta's near-death experience, which is credited to the intervention of

the Virgin Mary. They passed through a number of islands on their southwest journey,

demonstrating Pigafetta's excellent geographic sense. He identifies places with great care,

providing insightful information about their routes, such as Cenalo (perhaps Leyte) and

Hiunanghan (Hinunangan Bay). After anchoring in Mazaua on Holy Thursday, they spent

seven days there before moving on to the Camotes Islands and eventually Cebu.The

detailed documentation of Magellan's Philippine expedition by Antonio Pigafetta

provides a clear picture of their landing and first experiences. They first spotted Zamal

Island on March 16, 1521, and landed on Homonhon the following day. They named the

entire archipelago the "Islands of Saint Lazarus," matching the Gospel reading for the
 day. The feast day of the Annunciation, which falls on March 25, commemorates their

departure from Homonhon and Pigafetta's near-death experience, which is credited to the

Virgin Mary's intervention. This sacred thread continues. They passed through a number

of islands on their southwest journey, demonstrating Pigafetta's excellent geographic

sense. He identifies places with great care, providing insightful information about their

routes, such as Cenalo (perhaps Leyte) and Hiunanghan (Hinunangan Bay). After

anchoring in Mazaua on Holy Thursday, they spent seven days there before moving on to

the Camotes Islands and eventually Cebu.

● The Evidence of Pigafetta’s Map

Using the maps from Pigafetta's report, Bernad (1981) came to the following

conclusions:

1. East of the island of Bohol is the little island of Mazaua, also known as Mazzana

on the map, which is located off the southwest tip of the bigger island of Ceilon,

or Southern Leyte. It is located close to the route that connects Bohol with

"Ceilon," or Leyte's western coast.

2. Therefore, in Pigafetta's map, the island of Mazaua is located at a location that is

almost equal to the real location of the island of Limasawa.

3. Mazaua is in no way related to Butuan, which is located on a different, much

bigger island that we now refer to as Mindanao. This is the same island that also

contains the towns of "Calagan," "Cippit," and "Mamgdanao."

 ● Confirmatory Evidence from The Legazpi’s Account

Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was excited to see Mazaua from "Camotuan" and his

comrades, who were from the settlement of Cabalian near the southeast tip of the island

of Leyte. This eagerness was evident during his voyage. The natives led the Legazpi's

ships as they went around theThe island is known as "Panae" (Panaon), which lies off the

coast of Mazaua and is divided from Leyte by a small strait. However, because of the

Portuguese pillage that took place during the four decades between Legazpi and

Magellan, the island's inhabitants were hostile. They left Mazaua and traveled to

Camiguing with the intention of traveling to Butuan on the Vindaano island, but they

were forced to travel to Bohol due to windy conditions. Consequently, it can be said that

the Legazpi-led expedition was aware that Butuan was an island in Mindanao and that

Mazaua was an island near Leyte and Panaon.

Evidence for the Site of Butuan

● Geographical Features

Excavations of balanghai boats, burial sites, pottery, gold jewelry, and processing

equipment on Pinamanculan's eastern side indicate a bustling village and harbor several

centuries ago. The delta of the Butuan River has changed throughout time; in 1521, a

deltaic island—which geologists believe to be the current Pinamanculan Hills in Butuan

City—merged with the mainland. Limasawa is only 698 hectares, while another

contemporaneous record of the journey claims that Mazaua is 3–4 leagues in diameter

(Ginés de Mafra), implying an extent of 2,214–3,930 hectares.

 The following physical features of the first kingdom point to Butuan rather than

Limasawa, as follows:

○ The bonfire: The night before they landed, the explorers were drawn to the light

emanating from it. In Butuanon, the word "masao" literally means "bright," and

this may have something to do with the tradition of preparing rice flakes over

open flames to commemorate a harvest. On the other hand, Limasawa lacks rice

fields.

○ Balanghai: It has been reported that the king arrived at their ship in a "balanghai,"

and Pigaffeta and his companion attended a party in a ceremonial "balanghai"

with the local king. The balanghai was a key aspect of the account of their stay in

the first country. There are now nine excavated "balanghai" relics in Butuan. In

contrast, Limasawa has neither a notable archaeological relic nor a "balanghai"

history.

○ Abundance of gold: Since gold was the primary form of money in Masao and

Butuan at the time, the availability of gold captivated Western explorers. As

proven by both modern gold mining and archeological artifacts like the "Gold

Image of Agusan," Agusan Valley was rich in gold. However, Limasawa has no

reserves of gold.

● Navigator’s Route from Homonhon and to Cebu

Once more, the historical sources state that the expedition followed a

west-southwest path and traveled 20 to 25 leagues from Homonhon, where they made

their initial landing, to the location of the first mass. The trip is just around 14.6 leagues,
 or half that length, if they had been at Limasawa Island. Moreover, the coast of Southern

Leyte separates the island of Limasawa from Homonhon. The fleet traveled through

"Ceylon (Leyte), Bohol, and Baybay, Catighan, and Canighan" en route to Cebu. The real

distance between Limasawa and Gatighan is just one legua (4 n.m.), but the

Mazaua-Gatighan distance is 20 leguas (80 n. miles) (Pigafetta). The path that motor

vessels currently follow from Cebu to Butuan is nearly identical to the one that the

explorers used to get to Cebu. Even after the explorers arrived in Cebu, the king of Masao

(Colambu) served as their guide, interpreter, and middleman when they encountered the

Cebu king.

● Alternative Accounts of Albo and Genoese Pilot

“We coasted it [Seilani], and went to west-southwest, to a small inhabited island

called Mazaba. The people are very good, and there we placed a cross upon a mountain

... and this island is in 9 1⁄3 degrees north latitude.”

Conclusion

The case studies, in summary, show a more solid basis for the claim that Limasawa

hosted the first Catholic Mass in the Philippines. In spite of contentious assertions and

conflicting opinions, Limasawa's claim is supported by an abundance of data derived from

primary sources, including Pigafetta's notebook, Albo's logbook, and other historical records. In

conclusion, on March 31, 1521, the first holy mass was held on Limasawa Island. The National

Historical Institute (NHI) verified this when Republic Act 2733 was declared, designating the

location on Magallanes, Limasawa Island, Province of Leyte as a historical shrine designed to

protect historic landmarks from harm and to commemorate the site of the first mass in the

Philippines. The NHI also noted that Antonio Pigafetta's journal is the most reliable primary

source that provides the strongest evidence for the argument. It should also be noted that

Pigafetta's "Mazaua'' is the island of Limasawa. Furthermore, Butuan's cultural and historical

significance cannot be disregarded, even if it was rejected as the location of the first holy mass.

In addition to being among the first locations Ferdinand Magellan set foot on, it served as an

important trading port of commerce for inter island and possibly foreign trade.
References:

1. Agoncillo, Teodoro A. (1974). Introduction to Filipino History. Quezon City, Philippines:

Garotech Publishing. ISBN 971-10-2409-8.

2. Bernad, Miguel (1981). "Butuan or Limasawa: The Site of the First Mass in the

Philippines: A Reexamination of the Evidence". BUDHI: A Journal of Ideas and Culture.

5: 146–154.

3. Diario ó derotero del viage de Magallane desde el cabo se ustn en el Brazil hasta el

regreso a Espana de la nao Victoria, por Frandsco Albo," Document no. xxii n Collecion

de viages y descrubrimientos que hicieron por mar los Españoles desde fines del siglo

XV, Ed. martin Fernandez de Navarrete (reprinted Buenos Aires 1945,5 Vols.) TV,

191-226. As cited in Miguel A. Bernad Butuan or amawa? The Site of the First Mass in

the Philippines: A Reexamination of Evidence 1981, Kinaadman: A Journal of Southern

Philippines, Vol. 1-35.

4. Emma Blair and James Alexander Robertson, The Philippine Islands, Vols. 33 and 34, as

cited in Miguel A. Bernad. "Butuan or Limasawa? The Site of the First Mass

Reexamination of Evidence" 1981, Kinaadman: A Journal of Southern Philippines, Vol.

III, 1-35.

5. Francisco Albo (or Alvaro), “Logbook of the voyage of Fernando de Magallanes,” in

Henry Edward John Stanley (trans. and ed.), The First Voyage Round the World by

Magellan: Translated from accounts of Pigafetta and other contemporary writers.

London: Hakluyt Society, 1874

6. "Republic Act No. 2733 – An Act to 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 Landmarks Thereat,

and for Other Purposes". Supreme Court E-Library