THE FIRST

CATHOLIC MASS
IN THE
PHILIPPIIIINES
BS ENTREP - II
CASE STUDY 1: THE FIRST
CATHOLIC MASS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
This case study will not focus on the significance (or lack thereof) of the site of
the First Catholic Mass in the Philippines, but rather, use it as a
historiographical exercise in the utilization of evidence and interpretation in
reading historical events.

 Butuan has long been believed as the site of the first Mass for three centuries,
which commemorates the expedition’s arrival and celebration of Mass on 8
April 1521. The Butuan claim has been based on a rather elementary reading
of primary sources from the event. However, a more nuanced reading of the
available evidence was made in the start of twentieth century that brought light
of the first mass in the Philippines, made both by Spanish and Filipino scholars.
 There are two primary sources that historians refer to in identifying the site of
the first Mass. One is the log kept by Francisco Albo, a pilot of one of
Magellan’s ship and one of the 18 survivors who returned after
circumnavigating the world. The other, and the more complete, was the
account by Antonio Pigafetta, Primo viaggio intorno al mondo (First Voyage
Around the World).

 In the primary source noted in Albo’s account, the location of Mazava fits the
location of the island of Limasawa, at the southern tip of Leyte, 9°54’N. Also,
Albo does not mention the first Mass, but only the planting of the cross upon a
mountain-top from which could be seen three islands to the west and
southwest, which also fits the southern end of Limasawa

 It must be pointed out that both Albo and Pigafetta’s testimonies coincide and
corroborate each other. Pigafetta gave more details on what they did during
their weeklong stay at Mazaua.
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. The beach of Masao in the delta of said river. It is a
curious omission in the account of the river, which makes part of a
distinct characteristic of Butuan’s geography that seemed to be
Magellan’s death, the survivors of his expedition went to Mindanao,
and seemingly went to Butuan. In this instance, Pigafetta vividly
describes a trip in a river. But note that this account already happened
after Magellan’s death
 THANK
YOU!!!!!!!!
GROUP 1

ALARCON, RHEA MAE

 ATIENZA, JAYCEE LEE
 BALDAPAN, SHAIRA KATE
 BARRERA, DANIEL
 BERCASIO, ROMMEL