The First Mass
GROUP 7
THE FIRST MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES
The arrival of Magellan's Expedition is an event of the first documented and confirmed mass that
happened in the country. The First Mass marked the beginning of Christianity in the Philippines.
The mass' location is a controversial topic that has been repeatedly contested for over three
centuries. Filipinos, including the professionals in education, historians, religion, and other fields,
exchanged their thoughts on the specific place of the 'First Mass' on Easter Sunday. And two sites
claim to be the place of the meaningful religious ceremony; Limasawa and Butuan City.
PIGAFETTA’S ACCOUNT OF MAGELLAN’S FLEET
Magellan's fleet reached the Ladrones Islands, also known as the "Islands of the Thieves." The natives
had no arms but used sticks with fish bones at the end. They were described as poor but ingenious and
great thieves. The islands were named "Ladrones" due to the thieving nature of the natives as observed by
Pigafetta.
March 18,1521 - Nine men approached Magellan's fleet with joy and eagerness. The men were welcomed
with food, drinks, and gifts. The locals showed the explorers around different islands. They provided the
names of these islands.
Ten days later, they reached the Isle of Zamal (now Samar). On March 25, they encountered two
balanghai (long boats) full of people in Mazzava/Mazaus. Magellan exchanged gifts with the local leader
and later introduced to the king's brother, who ruled another island with gold mines.
LIMASAWA/MAZAUA ISLAND
According to Pigafetta, the first mass celebrated on Philippines soil was held on
March 31, 1521 on the island of Mazaua, which its original name.
It is island municipality in Southern Leyte, and was created into an independent
municipality on June 11, 1978 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1549. But
this was not implemented due to some problems. Officially became a
municipality on August 27, 1989 after the conduct of a plebiscite among the
populace to ratify its independence.
Francisco Albo, one of the pilots in Magellan's expedition, kept a logbook where
he wrote that they erected a cross on a mountain that overlooked the islands in
the west and the southwest. Jaime de Veyra stated that the first mass was held
in Limasawa and not in Butuan.
CONTROVERSY ABOUT LIMASAWA
In Antonio Pigafetta’s notes, he wrote “Mazaua” as the name of the
island. Some historians assert that this is the same “Masagua”
mentioned in Miguel Lopez de Legazpi’s expedition to Butuan.
After a thorough study and examination of old maps and documents, a
monograph by Fr. Miguel Bernad in 1981 clarified that the Butuan
version is a mistake and that Limasawa is what Pigafetta referred to as
“Mazaua.”
This was confirmed by a study conducted by William Henry Scott in
1982 on the error of designating Butuan as the place where the First
Mass was held.
MASAO/BUTUAN
1872: A monument to commemorate the site of the first mass in the
Philippines was erected near the mouth of the Agusan River at a
spot within the municipal boundaries of Butuan. The monument is a
testimonial to the tradition that Magellan and his expedition landed at
Butuan and celebrated the first Mass in the Philippines.
1953: The people in Butuan asked the Philippine Historical
Committee to rehabilitate the monument and construct a place
marker on the site.
Evidence of Butuan as the first mass is supported by the discovery
of the Butuan Boats, also known as balanghai/balangay, which are
the oldest archaeological examples of watercraft in the Philippines.
MASAO/BUTUAN
17th Century - Fr. Francisco Colin was a Spanish missionary who
spent many years in the Philippines and wrote historical accounts
around 1640. Colin's account represents the first Mass and solemn
planting of the cross and the formal possession of the Islands in the
name of Crown of Castile taking place in Butuan on Easter Sunday
in 1521. The main point is that Magellan landed at Butuan and
planted the cross in a solemn ceremony.
It was accepted without question in the 17th century by two Jesuit
historians who lived in the Philippines as missionaries and were
meticulous with their facts.
Questions
1. Where is the location of the First Mass in the Philippines claimed to have taken place?
A. Cebu C. Butuan City
B. Limasawa D. Manila
2. What name was given to the islands encountered by Magellan's fleet, which means "Islands of the
Thieves"?
A. Ladrones Islands C. Zamal
B. Mazzava D. Samar
3. What was the attitude of the nine men who approached Magellan's fleet on March 18, 1521?
A. Hostile and aggressive C. Indifferent and aloof
B. Joyful and eager D. Fearful and cautious
4. Who stated that the first mass was held in Limasawa rather than in Butuan?
A. Francisco Albo C. Antonio Pigafetta
B. Jaime de Veyra D. Ferdinand Magellan
5. Who conducted a study in 1982 that confirmed the error of designating Butuan as the site of the First
Mass?
A. Antonio Pigafetta C. William Henry Scott
B. Fr. Miguel Bernad D. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi
6. What archaeological discovery supports Butuan's claim as the site of the first mass?
A. Butuan Boats (balanghai/balangay) C. Stone tools
B. Ancient coins D. Old maps
7. Where was the monument to the first mass located?
A. Near the mouth of the Agusan River C. In Manila
B. On the island of Limasawa D. At the site of Magellan's death
8. Fr. Colin's account states that the first mass and the planting of the cross took place in Butuan on
Easter Sunday in 1521. True or False?
9. Fr. Colin's writings were widely disputed by Jesuit historians living in the Philippines during the 17th
century. True or False?
10. Fr. Colin’s account describes the first mass as a public and loud ceremony. True or False?
Thank you!
