POSITION PAPER: SITE OF THE FIRST CATHOLIC MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES
In the year 1521 the Philippines was just another young country that began to
establish its identity when Ferdinand Magellan, an invader from Portugal arrived. During the
mercenary and competition against the spies he sailed with some men for the expedition to
search for raw ingredients. There is a controversy regarding the site of the first mass ever
celebrated on Philippine soil. Pigafetta claims it occurred on the island of "Mazua" on Easter
Sunday, March 31, 1521. For many years, historians have debated the exact location of the first
Catholic Mass in the Philippines. Despite some claims that the first mass was held on the
island of Limasawa, I am convinced that Masao, Butuan, was the location.
The Philippines' first documented Catholic Mass was held on Easter Sunday, March
31, 1521. It was conducted by Father Pedro de Valderrama of Ferdinand Magellan's
expedition along the shores of what was referred to in the journals of Antonio Pigafetta as
"Mazaua". It commemorated the birth of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines.The claim
that the first mass was held in Masao, Butuan which I firmly believed is supported by wealth
evidences. 1st Evidence: From Ship’s Logs- Antonio Pigafetta’s diary and The Chronicles of
Magellan’s Voyage. ● 2nd Evidence: After landing of the Philippines (exactly 20-25 leagues
from the first landing, Humonhon) expedition. ● 3rd Evidence: According to Piafetta’s book,
the distance to Cebu from MAzaua was 35 leagues, which is 140 miles. Limasawa and Cebu
are only 80 miles apart. The king arrived aboard their ship on a balanghai, as mentioned in
the fourth evidence. Butuan currently possesses at least nine excavated balanghai artifacts,
although Limasawa has no significant archeological traces or balanghai legacy.● 5th
Evidence: Gold abundance in Agusan Valley.
According to historical accounts, the Philippine Congress declared Limasawa as the
place where Magellan celebrated the first mass. However, President Carlos P. Garcia did not
sign the law because he was unsure if the "MAZAUA" mentioned in the Pigafetta Codex
referred to Limasawa.
In the early 1980s and 90s, Butuan City and the Cultural Historical Foundation Inc. contested
this declaration. They presented 28 new scientific findings and contrasted Mazaua and
Limasawa. They also mentioned the recovery of the Balanghai boat near the Masao River in
1976. Historian Gregorio Zaide supported the claim that the first mass was actually
celebrated in Masao, Butuan, Agusan Del Norte, and not in Limasawa.
A Portuguese or Spanish explorer named Gines de Mafra, who visited the Philippines in the
sixteenth century, is also mentioned in historical chronicles. Some academics contend that the
Butuan allegation is supported by his eyewitness testimony. They further contend that some
translation errors occurred in the Ambrosiana codex, which served as the foundation for the
Limasawa claim.
Geographical evidence suggests that Mazaua, which Magellan reported in his
voyages, was larger than Limasawa. Limasawa covers only 698 hectares, although the island
outlined by Magellan appears to span between 2,214 and 3,930 hectares.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, or CBCP, has been petitioned by
Butuan historians to settle the dispute in Butuan City's favor. They assert that they have fresh
proof, citing the Yale Codex,which they believe is more impressive than the Ambrosiana
Codex.
Based on the geographical coordinates mentioned, Mazaua is believed to be located
near Butuan City or a nearby municipality within Agusan Del Norte, while Limasawa is an
island near Leyte.
In summary, the information we have acquired and examined demonstrates that the
first mass was celebrated at Masao, Butuan, on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1521. Historians,
archaeologists, and other specialists who have discovered verifiable evidence and reputable
items in Butuan have backed this site in particular. However, there was not as much evidence
to back up the island of Limasawa's assertion as there was for the first mass.
BIBLIOGROPHY
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/cagayan-state-university/philosophy/masao-first-
mass-lecture-notes/41490539
https://www.scribd.com/presentation/465252158/Evidences-of-the-First-Mass-in-the-
Philippines-in-Masao-Butuan?
fbclid=IwAR33fTNvAK3pannXDmSx1761NC18hQ4ILWW_gfSIJg_XeLb6WalgDyCCIvg
https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/97855/butuan-holds-easter-sunday-mass-to-reinforce-
contentious-historical-claim/
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2006/04/02/329389/butuan-pursue-claim-it-was-site-
first-mass-rp-485-years-ago
GINGOOG CITY COLLEGES, INC.
Macopa St., Paz Village Subdivision, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental
Midterm output #2
POSITION PAPER:
SITE OF THE FIRST CATHOLIC MASS IN
THE PHILIPPINES
READING IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
SUBMITTED TO: Mr. Nikki Lungay
GE 2 INSTRUCTOR
SUBMITTED BY: Cheryl Mae Maputi
BSED – ENGLISH 1 – B
