script

(historical background and main argument): Greetings to our respected adjudicator,

esteemed opponents, and respected audience. We stand here today to affirm that
Limasawa is the true site of the first Mass in the Philippines, celebrated by Ferdinand
Magellan and his crew on March 31, 1521. This event marks the first instance of
Christianity in the Philippines, as it shaped the religious and cultural landscape of the
nation, influencing our identity as Filipinos.

On March 16, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, a portuguese navigator, led an expedition

for Spain to find a westward route to the Spice Islands. His fleet, known as the
Armada de Molucca, consisted of five ships: Trinidad, San Antonio, Concepción,
Victoria, and Santiago. After nearly two years of navigating uncharted waters, the
fleet first sighted the island of Zamal (now Samar) on March 16, 1521. They later
anchored at Humunu Island (now Homonhon), an uninhabited island, where they
rested for a few days.

On March 28, 1521, Magellan’s fleet arrived at Mazaua (now Limasawa) and was
welcomed by Rajah Colambu, the ruler of the island. A blood compact between
Magellan and Rajah Colambu was performed on March 29, 1521, symbolizing their
newfound alliance. Finally, on March 31, 1521, a historic Mass was officiated by Fr.
Pedro de Valderrama on the island, attended by Magellan, his crew, Rajah Colambu,
and Rajah Siagu, the ruler of Butuan. After the Mass, Magellan planted a large
wooden cross, signifying Spain’s claim over the land and marking the official
introduction of Christianity to the Philippines.

Many have debated over the location of the first mass. If it was in Butuan, located in
Mindanao or Limasawa, an island in Leyte. However, we, the affirmative group of
Limasawa, believe that Limasawa is indeed the true site of the first Mass.

(supporting evidence): To begin, we support our claim with the following evidence.
The evidence of our claim comes from the following primary sources: Antonio
Pigafetta, Francisco Albo, and modern-day historians such as Miguel A. Bernad, as
well as official governmental recognition through Republic Act 2733 and decisions
made by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

Supporting Evidence for Limasawa

1.​ Antonio Pigafetta’s Chronicle In his detailed account of Magellan’s voyage

Antonio Pigafetta describes the first Mass as taking place on an island near
Cebu and Leyte, which aligns with the location of Limasawa. Pigafetta
recounts that the island had native inhabitants, rice fields, and a welcoming
ruler—characteristics that match the known features of Limasawa. Moreover,
Pigafetta notes that the natives arrived in balanghai boats, which were
commonly used by seafaring cultures of the Philippines, aligning with
Limasawa’s maritime history.​

Pigafetta’s description of the island’s topography, where the crew climbed the highest
point to celebrate Mass, is a key detail. Limasawa is known for its elevated terrain,
which directly corresponds to Pigafetta’s account. In contrast, Butuan does not fit
these descriptions, as it has mountainous, inland terrain, which would not have
allowed for the high vantage point described in the chronicles. Additionally, Pigafetta
one of the eighteen survivors who returned to Spain, provided a detailed account of
the expedition, which confirms the validity of his chronicle.

2.​ Francisco Albo’s Logbook In his logbook

Francisco Albo, one of the key navigators of Magellan’s fleet, recorded the
latitude of the island where the first Mass occurred. Albo placed the island at 9
1/2 degrees North latitude, which is very close to Limasawa’s coordinates (9.92
degrees North). In contrast, Butuan’s coordinates are much further south,
making it an unlikely candidate for the site of the first Mass. This navigational
record strongly supports Limasawa as the true location. Furthermore, Albo’s
logbook details that after leaving Mazaua, the fleet sailed northwest through the
Canigao Channel, then westward to Cebu, without stopping in Butuan.​

3.​ Miguel A. Bernad’s Study Fr. Miguel A. Bernad

a renowned historian, conducted a thorough study of the early Spanish records

and geographical details. He argued that Butuan cannot be the site of the first
Mass, as its inland geography does not match the descriptions of the island in
the chronicles. Bernad emphasized that the coordinates, terrain features, and
cultural details outlined in Pigafetta and Albo’s accounts could only point to
Limasawa, which was an island in the southern part of the Leyte region.​

4.​ The Legazpi Expedition In addition to Pigafetta and Albo

the Legazpi expedition in 1565 provides valuable confirmatory evidence.

Miguel López de Legazpi, who led the Spanish expedition that established the
first permanent settlement in the Philippines, followed Magellan’s route and
confirmed the location of Limasawa as an important landmark. The
expedition’s records, which retraced Magellan’s path, further corroborate the
claim that Limasawa was the site of the first Mass, as Legazpi’s team passed
through the same islands Magellan had visited, confirming the geographical
descriptions of Limasawa.​

5.​ National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)

In 2020, after a thorough review of eyewitness accounts, historical records, and

geographical analysis, the NHCP officially reaffirmed that Limasawa is the site
of the first Mass in the Philippines. This decision was based on the official
records of Pigafetta, Albo, and the Legazpi expedition, alongside extensive
geographical studies. In 1960, Republic Act 2733, known as the First Mass
Commemoration Act, declared Limasawa as the official location, and this was
further reinforced by Republic Act No. 7648, emphasizing the island’s
importance in Philippine history.​

Furthermore, Butuan’s inland location does not match the descriptions from Pigafetta,
Albo, or Legazpi’s expedition. None of the primary sources describe a riverine or
mountainous area, which contradicts Butuan’s landscape. The historical accounts
explicitly state that the Mass was conducted on an island, eliminating Butuan as a
plausible location.

(counterargument):

Butuan as the Site of the First Mass Based on Early Accounts

While some early historians suggested that Butuan was the site of the first Mass,
modern historical analysis has proven this claim to be incorrect. The confusion arose
from the misinterpretation of the name Mazaua, which was mistaken for Masao in
Butuan. However, the geographical features of Butuan’s inland, riverine terrain do not
match the descriptions of the island where the first Mass was held.

Butuan’s Importance as a Trading Center Supports its Claim

While Butuan was indeed an important trading hub, this alone does not make it the
site of the first Mass. Pigafetta and Albo’s accounts specifically describe an island
with distinctive geographical features, none of which apply to Butuan’s inland
location. The historical significance of Butuan does not override the geographical
facts outlined in the primary sources.
Historical Markers in Butuan Support its Claim

While Butuan does have a historical marker claiming it as the site of the first Mass,
these markers were erected before thorough historical research was conducted. The
NHCP’s official decision in 2020 has since dismissed Butuan’s claim, and the official
records now point squarely to Limasawa as the true site.

One paragraph:

While some early historians suggested that Butuan was the site of the first Mass,
modern historical analysis has proven this claim to be incorrect. The confusion arose
from the misinterpretation of the name Mazaua, which was mistaken for Masao in
Butuan. However, the geographical features of Butuan’s inland, riverine terrain do not
match the descriptions of the island where the first Mass was held. Additionally,
although Butuan was a significant trading hub, that alone would not support the claim
that it was the site of the first mass.

Pigafetta and Albo specifically describe an island with distinctive geographical

features, none of which apply to Butuan’s inland location. The historical significance
of Butuan does not override the geographical facts outlined in the primary sources.
Lastly, although Butuan does have a historical marker claiming it as the site of the first
Mass, these markers were erected before thorough historical research was conducted.
The NHCP’s official decision in 2020 has since dismissed Butuan’s claim, and the
official records now point squarely to Limasawa as the true site.

In conclusion, the first Catholic Mass in the Philippines took place in Limasawa. The
evidence from Antonio Pigafetta, Francisco Albo, Miguel Bernad, the Legazpi
expedition, and the official recognition by the NHCP all point to Limasawa as the true
site of the first mass. We firmly believe that the arguments for Butuan are based on
historical misinterpretations, and that Limasawa should be recognized as the rightful
place where Christianity was first introduced to the Philippines. Thank you.

References
[Link] Editors (2025). Ferdinand Magellan.
[Link]

Pigafetta, A. (1525). The First Voyage Around the World.

Albo, F. (1522). Logbook of Francisco Albo.

Kueh, J. (2021). Negotiating Empire, Part I: From Magellan to the Founding of Manila, 16th-18th
Centuries.
[Link]
-founding-of-manila-16th-18th

Bernad, Miguel A. (2001) “Butuan or Limasawa? The Site of the First Mass in the Philippines: A
Reexamination of the Evidence,” Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture Vol. 5: No. 3, Article 10.
[Link]

Quimby, F. (2022) Miguel Lopez De Legazpi: Legazpi's Expedition

[Link]

National Historical Commission Of The Philippines (2021) Ending The Limasawa Controversy

[Link]

de San Agustin, G. (1998). Conquistas de las Islas Filipinas (Conquest of the Philippines Islands).
Intramuros, Manila: San Agustin Museum

Gerona, D. (2016). Ferdinand Magellan, the Armada de Maluco and the European Discovery of the
Philippines. Philippines: Spanish Galleon Publisher

[Link]