DEBATE EXRACTED SCRIPT

Proposition: (Limasawa) – First Speaker

The motion of the Government is the same as declared in the Republic Act 2733 WHICH IS
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 THERE, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Our team would like to specify first the definition of mass; it is known as a practice among
Christian people to honor and worship God. For our argument which is in accordance with the
accounts of Antonio Pigaffetta and Francisco Albo, who are eyewitnesses of Magellan's voyage.
They both stated that the first mass took place on the island they called Mazava in Albo's account
and Mazaua in Pigafetta's account. They both asserted that from the island of Homonhon they went
westwards towards the Island of Leyte and turned to a southwest direction to reach this island.
Based on the geographical locations provided by Albo and Pigafetta, the island of Limasawa in
Southern Leyte is the counterpart. Thus, the proposition team strongly supports the motion of this
house that the first mass in the Philippines took place in Limasawa.
Opposition: (Masao) – First Speaker
In response to the first speaker, passing a law is not a substantial evidence knowing that it
was not even approved by the executives and had no scientific evidence as well. Thus, we firmly
believe that Masawa, Butuan is the venue of the first mass here in the Philippines. We are going to
take a look at the accounts of Pigafetta and Albo, the word "Limasawa" mass was not mentioned at
all. So how come you concluded that it is where the first mass was held?
Also, we have the island named Mazzau, a 2-3 syllable word which is much closer to the
word Masawa. It is essential to correct history which is backed up by scientific evidence wherein
according to the tt, ten of 1,600-year-old Balangay boats were found in 1976 near Masao River
which is located in Butuan City. On the statement of Father Fernando Colins, a historian, in his work
Labor Evangelica, he asserted that Magellan went to Butuan and there he celebrated the First Mass
and erected a cross and to support this, Antonio Pigafetta testified that he gave a gift of certain
things to the Queen Mother of France Louise of Savoy and Mother of Francis the First. Gian Battista
Ramusio mentioned that a copy of Pigafetta's account was given to Louise of Savoy.
Whereas this manuscript was translated to French by Jacques Fabre and imprinted by
Simon de Colins. Then it was translated back into an Italian version by Ramusio. And it was the
basis of Collins' account. Thus, on the other way around, Colin's account was considered reliable.
And there was a monument erected during 1872 to commemorate the First Mass in Butuan on April
8, 1521. For this reason, we claim that the First Mass happened in Butuan.
Proposition: (Limasawa) – Second Speaker
I object to the statement of the opposed speaker. Pigafetta provided confirmatory evidence
in the presence of two native "kings or rajahs at Mazawa during the Magellan visit. One was the
King of Mazawa, who later guided the Magellan expedition to Cebu. The other was a relative.
namely the rajah of Butuan. He added that the finest man that he had ever seen in those parts,
pointing to the King of Butuan, From that fact that he was a visitor to Mazawa and his territory was
in Butuan which was in another island, and Albo. while in the island of Mazawa they met two
chieftains. One is the chieftain of Mazawa and one is the chieftain of Butuan who was said to be
visiting the island. Therefore, the chieftain of Butuan was not in Butuan during that time but in
Mazawa. So, in conclusion, Magellan did not go to Butuan.
Opposition: (Masao) – Second Speaker
In accuracy of the map and the calculation of the exact location of the island of Mazzau is
questionable evidence to claim that the first mass happened in Limasawa if geographical features
say it's Masawa, Butuan. If you truly understand Pigafetta's journal, it says there that the island of
Mazzau has a great quantity of fowls, goats, pigs, and many more, especially gold mines. Masawa
has it all richly and Limasawa, a small and poor island, lacks it, especially the presence of fertile rice
fields and abundance of gold.
Also, there is an existing route from Butuan to Cebu and these two cities have a great relationship
with each other since then that Limasawa to Cebu has none. And again, the presence of Balanghai in
the Butuan is the most sufficient evidence to prove that the birthplace of Christianity in the
Philippines is none other than in Masaua, Butuan.
Proposition: (Limasawa) – Third Speaker
I disagree with the claims of the opposition, Ramusio's version of Pigafetta's manuscripts
are not reliable. The transmission of text from Pigafetta to Louise of Savoy to Simon de Collins is
without documentary support. Pigafetta himself didn't mention that he gave the copy of his
manuscript to Colins but simply a gift of a certain thing. Our claims from the first argumentative
speaker was based on the original ambrosian text of Pigafetta and I would like to point out, based
on Father Collin's account, Magellan and His men went to Cebu on April 7, 1521.
But in the monument's inscription, the first mass was held on April 8, 1521 on Butuan. How
is it possible to go back to Butuan from Cebu for just one day where in Butuan is 236 Kilometers
away from Cebu, and the ships of Magellan that time are not fast enough.
And to add our argument, on the same day of the mass, a cross was erected on the summit
of a mountain and according to Francisco Albo, on the summit of the mountain, you can see three
islands from west and southwest wherein Butuan can be seen in the Northern direction.
Based on topographical details given by Albo and Pigafetta it describes the present Limasawa.
Opposition: (Masao) – Third Speaker
I disagree with the argument presented by the 3rd proposition speaker. I claim that this
Mazaua is in Butuan. And as a proof, in Historia de Mindanao y Jolo written by Francisco Combes S.J.
who worked as a missionary in the Philippines states that Magellan went to Butauan because they
heard the King there was more powerful, and they wanted to meet him. It was said that their
expectations were satisfied by the King. And there, they planted a cross on the Hill in a solemn
ceremony as a sign of future alliance. In Francisco Collin's work, the first mass occurred the same
day they planted the cross. For that reason, we believed that the First Mass occurred in Butuan.
Proposition: (Limasawa) – Fourth Speaker
 I object to the statement of the 3rd opposed speaker. Magellan did not go to Butuan to meet
the King there. According to Pigafetta and Albo, while in thelsland of Mazaua they met two
chieftains. One is the chieftain of Butuan who was said to be visiting the island. Therefore, the
chieftain of Butuan is not in Butuan but in Mazaua during that time.
Opposition: (Masao) – Fourth Speaker
Our team opposed the motion of this house. We claim that the first mass took place in
Butuan and not in Limasawa. We believe that our sources are reliable and that Magellan landed first
on Butuan where the first Mass took place. The monument erected was proof of it. In fact, there are
artifacts that prove that the first mass occurred on the island. Those are the presence of Balangay in
Butuan which they believe was used for transportation during Magellan's visit. And again, the
presence of Balanghai in the Butuan is the most sufficient evidence to prove that the birthplace of
Christianity in the Philippines is none other than Masao Butuan.
Proposition: (Limasawa) – Fifth Speaker
In conclusion, Magellan did not go to Butuan. That's why this team firmly believes that the
site of the first mass in the Philippines took place in Limasawa because of the statement of Albo and
Pigafetta regarding the geographical directions and topographical descriptions of Mazawa which
best describes the island of Limasawa than Butuan. And to strengthen our claims. Pigafetta's and
Albo's accounts are considered as firsthand accounts. Pigafetta's work is the most detailed and
reliable source of information regarding Magellan's voyage. While the claims of the opposition are
based on second hand accounts.
Opposition: (Masao) – Fifth Speaker
The evidence of Masao rather than Limasawa, are as follows: The name of the place. In all
primary sources, including the diary of Antonio Pigafetta, the chronicler of Magellan's voyage, the
name of the place was three syllables. Mazau or something close to it.
Limasawa has 4 syllables and begins with another letter. Second is the route from Homonhon.
According to the primary records, again, the expedition traveled 20 to 25 leagues from Homonhon,
their first landing point, to the site of the first mass taking a westsouthwest course. If they had been
at Limasawa Island, the distance is only about 14.6 leagues, or one half of that length. Moreover, the
opposition team used a wide range of Historical sources regarding this historical event. While the
claims of the proposition team are only based on two accounts. Butuan, as the site of the first mass
in the Philippines, has been a belief for centuries. Thank you