CASE STUDY 1 :
WHERE DID THE FIRST CATHOLIC
MASS TAKE PLACE IN THE
PHILIPPINES?
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✣ In this case study we will not focus on the significance 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.
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✣ Butuan has long been believed as the site of the first mass, in fact, this has
been the case for three centuries. Culminating in the erection of a
monument in 1872 near Agusan river, which commemorates the
expedition’s arrival and celebration of Mass on April 8, 1521. The Butuan
claim has been based on a rather elementary reading of primary sources
from the event.
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✣ Toward the end of the nineteenth century and the start of the twentieth
century, together with the increasing scholarship on the history of the
Philippines, a more nuanced reading of the available evidence was made,
which brought to light more considerations in going against the more
accepted interpretation of the first mass in the Philippines, made both by
Spanish and Filipino scholars.
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✣ First, log kept by Francisco Albo, a pilot one of Magellan’s ship,
Trinidad. He was one of the 18 survivors who returned with Sebastian
Elcano on the ship Victoria after they circumnavigated the world.
Second, was the account of Antonio Pigafetta, Primo Viaggio Intorno al
Mondo (First Voyage Around the World). Pigafetta, like Albo, was a
member of the Magellan expedition and an eyewitness of the events,
particularly, of the first Mass.
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Primary sources : Albo’s log book
✣ Source: Diario o derotero del viage de Magallanes desde el cabo se S.
Agustin en el Brazil hasta el regreso a Espana de la nao Victoria, escrito pro
Frandsco Albo, “Document no. Xxii in Collecion de Viajes y descubrimientos
que hicieron por mar los Espanoles desde fines del siglo XV, Ed. Martin
Fernandez de Navarette (reprinted Buenos Aires, 1945, 5 vols.) IV, 191-225.
As cited in Miguel A Bernard “Butuan or Limasawa? The site of the First
Mass in the Philippines: A Reexamination of Evidence” 1981, Kinaadman: A
Journal of Southern Philippines, Vol III, 1-35.
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✣ It must be noted that in Albo’s account, the location of Mazawa fits the
location of the island Limasawa, at the southern tip of Leyte, 9 degrees 54
north. Also, does not mention the first Mass, but only the planting of the
cross upon the mountain top from which could be seen three islands to the
west and southwest, which also fits the southern end of Limasawa.
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Primary sources : Pigaffeta’s testimony on the route
of Magellan’s expedition
✣ Source: Emma Blair and James Alexander Robertson, The Philippine
Islands, Vols. 33 and 34, as cited in Miguel A. Bernard, “Butuan or
Limasawa? The site of the First Mass in the Philippines: A
Reexamination of Evidence” 1981, Kinaadman: A Journal of
Southern Philippines, Vol III, 1-35.
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✣ It must be pointed out that both Albo and Pigaffeta’s testimonies
coincide corroborate each other. Pigafetta gave more details on
what they did during their weeklong stay at Mazua.
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✣ The evidence of Pigafetta’s map
- First map (Blair and Robertson)
- Second map ( BR 33) double map
- Third map ( BR 33) Island of Mazua
✣ The two kings
- King of Mazua
- King of Butuan
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Primary sources: Seven days in mazua
✣ Source: Emma Blair and James Alexander Robertson, The Philippine
Islands, Vols. 33 and 34, as cited in Miguel A. Bernard, “Butuan or
Limasawa? The site of the First Mass in the Philippines: A Reexamination
of Evidence” 1981, Kinaadman: A Journal of Southern Philippines, Vol III,
1-35.
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✣ Thursday, March 28 In the morning they anchored near an island where they had
seen a light the night before a small boat (BOLOTO) came with eight natives, to
whom Magellan threw some trinkets as presents. The natives paddled away, but
two hours later two larger boats (balanghai) came, in one of which the native king
sat under an awning of mats. At Magellan’s invitation some of the natives went up
the Spanish ship, but the native king remained seated in his boat. An exchange of
gifts was effected. In the afternoon that day, the Spanish ships weighed anchor and
came closer to shore, anchoring near the native king’s village. This Thursday,
March 28, was Thursday in Holy Week, i.e., Holy Thursday.
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✣ Friday, March 29 – “Next day. Holy Friday,” Magellan sent his slave interpreter
ashore in a small boat to ask the king if he could provide the expedition with food
supplies, and to say that they had come as friends and not as enemies. In reply the
king himself came in a boat with six or eight men, and this time went up
Magellan’s ship and the two men embraced. Another exchange of gifts was made.
The native king and his companions returned ashore, bringing with them two
members of Magellan’s expedition as guests for the night. One of the two was
PIGAFETTA
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✣ Saturday, PIGAFETTA and his companion had spent the previous evening
feasting3 and drinking with the native king and his son. PIGAFETTA
deplored the fact that, although it was Good Friday, they had to eat meat.
The following morning (Saturday) PIGAFETTA and his companion took
leave of their hosts and returned to the ships.
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✣ Sunday, March 31 – “Early in the morning of Sunday, the last of March and
Easter day,” Magellan sent the priest ashore with some men to prepare for the
Mass. Later in the morning Magellan landed with some fifty men and Mass
was celebrated, after which a cross was venerated. Magellan and the Spaniards
returned to the ship for the noon-day meal, but in the afternoon they returned
ashore to plant the cross on the summit of the highest hill. In attendance both at
the Mass and at the planting of the cross were the king of MAZAUA and the
king of Butuan.
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✣ Sunday, March 31-On that same afternoon, while on the summit of the highest hill,
Magellan asked the two kings which ports he should go to in order to obtain more
abundant supplies of food than were available in that island. They replied that there
were three ports to choose from: Ceylon, ZUBU, and CALAGAN. Of the three.
ZUBU was the port with the most trade. Magellan then said that he wished to go to
ZUBU and to depart the following morning. He asked for someone to guide him
thither. The kings replied that the pilots would be available “any time.” But later that
evening the king of MAZAUA changed his mind and said that he would himself
conduct Magellan to ZUBU but that he would first have to bring the harvest in. He
asked Magellan to send him men to help with the harvest.
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✣ Monday, April 1 Magellan sent men ashore to help with the harvest, but
no work was done that day because the two kings were sleeping off their
drinking bout the night before.
✣ Tuesday, April 2 and Wednesday, April 3 Work on the harvest during the
“next to days,” i.e., Tuesday and Wednesday, the and and 3rd of April.
✣ Thursday, April 4 – They leave MAZAUA, bound for Cebu.
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✣ 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 is 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 too important to be missed.
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THE AGE OF EXPLORATION
✣ Is a period of competition among European rulers to conquer and colonize
lands outside their original domains. Initially, the goal was to find
alternative routes by sea to get to Asia, the main source of spices and other
commodities. Existing routes to Asia were mainly by land and cost very
expensive. A sea route to Asia means that Europeans could access the spice
trade directly, greatly reducing costs for traders.
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✣ Spain’s major foray into the exploration was through Christopher Columbus, who
proposed to sail westward to find a shortcut to Asia. He was able to reach the
Americas, which was then cut-off from the rest of the known world. Spain
colonized parts of North America, Mexico, and South America in the sixteenth
century. They were also able to reach the Philippines and claim it for the Spanish
crown. Later on, European rulers would compete with the activities of exploring
and conquering lands. It must also be pointed out that later on, after 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 happen after Magellan’s death.
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RECITATION
✣ When did the first mass happened ?
Except Francisco Albo, who is the one of the 18 survivors
who return on the ship Victoria?
✣ What are the two primary sources ?
✣ Who is the pilot of Magellan’s ship, trinidad ?
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Thanks!
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