Readings in Philippine

History: Activity 2 - Finals

EZRA NEHEMIAH A. SALVAME
What is your stand about the site of the first Catholic Mass
in the Philippines? Why is it important to know where the
first Mass in the Philippines was held?

 “No records, no history”, a mantra that historians lived by.

Without it, there would be no truth to our history. History would be a
confusing and uncertain mess, what would be the truth in a world
without evidences? Truth, is a powerful thing, it has the power to move
people which is why some dictatorships, suppress truth, that’s the
power truth holds. So, given a choice, I would always pick the truth
rather than live in a lie. Sometimes though, things aren’t that clear,
there might be two sets of evidences. So, what would we do then?
Then we go with which truth holds more weight, even if that truth isn’t
what you like, because at the end of the day, facts don’t care about
feelings. This is why I stand with Limasawa as the location of the first
Catholic Mass in the Philippines.
What is your stand about the site of the first Catholic Mass
in the Philippines? Why is it important to know where the
first Mass in the Philippines was held?

 Why did I pick Limasawa? This goes back to what I said

about choosing a truth that holds more weight. Masao, Butuan
had many evidences as well that does hold weight, a
monument was even erected there in 1872 to commemorate
the first mass, it even shared geographical features and a
similar name to Mazaua. Pretty heavy evidences but
compared to Limasawa, it becomes light. Evidences that points
to it being in Limasawa are based on actual documents, Albo’s
log-book, Pigafetta’s testemonies and his map, one of the two
native kings that was a visitor being the Rajah of Butuan and
the Legazpi expedition.
What is your stand about the site of the first Catholic Mass
in the Philippines? Why is it important to know where the
first Mass in the Philippines was held?

Limasawa’s evidences are backed by credible evidences,

putting more weight to the fact that Limasawa is where it is. Some
people of Masao, Butuan might not like it, but, we can’t control
the truth cause that would be unethical and immoral and it spits
at history. Where it is held is a crucial piece of history, that place
represents the start of Christianity in the Philippines. We are a
religious nation, it is part of our culture and Mazaua is where it
begins, it is an island that is tied with our Filipino identity. To give
respect to that event and to the people that made it happen,
knowing where it actually occurred is a must.
What is your stand about the site of the first Catholic Mass
in the Philippines? Why is it important to know where the
first Mass in the Philippines was held?

 Historians are seekers of truth. The question of “why do we

need to know this fact” can be answered by just simply
“because we need to know the truth”. This is why I believe
historians believe in the "no records, no history” mantra,
because records carry with them, a truth, and as seekers of
truth, they have to find them, and the truth they found is the
Limasawa is Mazaua.