Chapter 2

Controversies in
Philippine History
Site of the First Mass
Limasawa or Butuan?

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 Liwasa, Southern Leyte or Masao,
Butuan City.
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, 151, and
ends September 4, 1522.
Miguel Lopez De Legaspi and/or Hernando
Riquel (Court Clerk of the Home Office)
Account
In the morning of February 13, 1564, they caught sight
of the Philippines. The expedition entered the
Philippines at the island of Samar called Tadaya. 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 o the coast of Samar.
Magellan had reached the Philippines making landfall
at the same point.
Pigafetta's Account

In Atonio Pigafetta’s account “Primo Viaggo Intorno Al

Mondo” (First Voyage Around the World) events 1519-
1522. He narrated the Magellan’s voyage wile James
Alexander Robertson Translated it into the English
langguage. The transcript is made form the original
document, which exist in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana,
Milan, Italy. The narration of Pigafetta’s account was
taken from Blair & Robertson (1975).
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 tho 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.
“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, 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.”
Zaide 6 Points Favoring Masao, Butuan City
as the site of the first mass in the Philippines
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 sources provide that the ship sailed 20
to 30 leagues 20 to 30 leagues from the Homonhon
and the first destination site of the first mass, taking a
west southwest course
Third, location of easily take 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 the passage to Cebu
which is perfectly similar to the one taken by the sailors
from Cebu to Butuan.
Fifth, the materials cultures in Butuan such as the practice
of making bonfires, the balanghai in which Butuan is the
site.
Lastly, the geographical features of Butuan. (1) the
abundance of gold in Masao as opposed to Limasawa (2) a
developed settlement in which it is the Butuan was
developed port long before the Westerns came.
Account 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 "The
Philippine Island"
“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"
“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 Butunao River, where the
FIRST MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES was celebrated.”
Military Notes on the Philippines in
September 1898
"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 BUTUAN 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."
Limasawa Law
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
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