Give These Evidences

Marvie Ann Cabonegro BSA 1

Where did really the 1st mass held? Is it really what was written in our history books?

Based on our readings the first Mass in the Philippines was held on March 31, 1521, which was
an Easter Sunday. It was stated on the writings or journal of Antonio Pigafetta where in Father Pedro
Salderama celebrated the Mass with the Purtugese people and Magellan and we continued that the
mass was held at “Mazaua” on today’s era, it is believed by many that “Mazaua” that was mentioned in
the journal was refers to the Limasawa Island located at the tip of Southern Leyte where is the near
access in the western. However, other evidences and statements contradicts this stand. Masao, island
Bacatal at Butuan Mindanao have shown evidences that triggers the side where really did the First Mass
was held.

Between those argumens and debates on Limasawa vs. Masao, I am in favor of redeclaration of the real
place where the First Mass in the Philippines accurs which is in Masao, Butuan, Agusan del Norte. Why?
Here are the eye opener evidences stating that the said Mass didn't happen in Limasawa.
In geographical bases, as stated in Pigafetta codex or the journal of Antonio Pigafetta which is
considered as one of the credible primary record of the event, the expedition traveled 20 to 25 leagues
from Homonhon, the first landing point. If they had been to Limasawa Island, the distance is only 16.6
leagues or one-half of that lenght. While the distance from Homonhon to Masao Island is 24.54 leagues
which matches exactly on what have been stated in the journal. The distance to Cebu from Mazaua
according to Pigafetta was 35 leagues [140 miles]. The distance from Limasawa to Cebu is only 80 miles
which clearly too far on what was stated in the journal. In addition, with regards to physical evidences, it
was also mentioned in the codex that the king came to their ship in a balanghai. Butuan is clearly
declared as the site of at least nine excavated balanghai relics; by contrast, Limasawa has no significant
archeological relics or balanghai tradition.
Moreover, Accounts said (Yale codex) that they planted a cross on the highest hill and stayed in the
area for seven days and helped in the rice harvest for two days together with more than a hundred of
the Rajah’s men. “When they arrived on Good Friday, they were harvesting rice for two days, that
means to say, the place where they went was the Mazaua, not in Limasawa but somewhere in
Mindanao. Because they harvested for two days, what can you harvest in Limasawa when there was
nothing there?” said Father Joesilo Amalla, curator of Butuan Diocesan Liturgical Museum. “More than a
hundred of people helped in the harvest, meaning it was a huge agricultural area. I’ve been to Limasawa
a lot of times. They have said that the rice harvested came from the surrounding island, and they said
they have harvested in the island itself. So their claim is wrong,” Amalla added. Their claims in fact have
a point, I personally have intervied a friend who have been in limasawa for many times by randomly
asking "Is there a ricefield or a large farm in Limasawa?"(in Cebuano) but he replied, "It doesnt have
large ricefield, maybe there are ricefield but so rare" (replied in Bisaya)
Another hypothetical but obvious evidence stated that the Western explorers got excited at the
abundance of gold in Mazaua, for that was the main currence at that time. Both archeological relics and
the gold mines today attested to the abundance of gold in the Agusan Valley.
Without being disrespectful to the historians but based on my own thoughts, I am afraid that
the National Historical Institute might have misinterpreted the primary records and journals. Given
those evidences, clearly the first mass didn’t happen in Limasawa at all! Or maybe Magellan didn’t even
touch Limasawa. What are there bases in implementing that the first mass was in Limasawa is it just
because “Mazaua” that is written in the journal has similar sound with Limasawa, when in fact, it doesn't
even have the same initials. A lot of evidences also as stated earlier have proven and surely statue that
printing and the Masao, Butuan is the place in fact even he former President Carlos P. Garcia isn’t sure
about Limasawa as the real location of the first Mass. A lot of evidences pointed out Masao, maybe a lot
more that Limasawa could provide and even though the issue about the First Mass have been addressed
resulting to Limasawa as the venue or place, we can’t deny the fact that people make mistakes and
misinterpretation. NHI should reconsider and get thorough research and investigation, as history
happened and we are not in the position to change it. May we all find the truth and peace of mind.
Sources:
https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/04/butuan-historians-ask-cbcp-to-resolve-first-mass-
controversy-in-citys-favor/
https://news.abs-cbn.com/blogs/opinions/08/24/19/first-mass-in-limasawa-facts-or-opinion
History shapes an identity by making use of materials that are drawn from the accounts of the
past. All of which undergoes thorough examination, investigation and been weighted through the
professional standards of the history writers. One of the significant history happened in the Philippines
was the First Mass which gains highlight in connection to the Philippines being the only Christian country
in Southeast Asia. The first Catholic Mass in the Philippines was held on March 31, 1521, Easter Sunday.
It was said by Father Pedro de Valderrama along the shores of what was referred to in the journals of
Antonio Pigafetta as "Mazaua". It is the name of the island-port where Ferdinand Magellan's fleet
anchored from March 28-April 4, 1521. It was the safe-haven 22 years of a galliot and its crew of about
90 men incldg. Gines de Mafra, the only sailor in Magellan's crew to revisit the port. Based on our
readings Magellan and his people find the place very pleasing that is why they named it “Mazaua”
which means light, bright, and shining. It is declared on the bill, Republic Act No. 2733, that the place
mentioned in the journal is the Limasawa Island located at the tip of Southern Leyte where is the near
access in the western. However, other evidences and statements contradict the said declaration. That is
why a lot of experts in the field of history, education, culture, and politics are still debating on this
controversy. Masao Island, Butuan, Agusan Del Norte, Mindanao have shown evidences that triggers the
opposing side.

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Marvie Ann Cabonegro BSA 1

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