BECED 1-2 | RPH | GROUP 1 | SITE OF THE FIRST MASS

Summary

The video discusses the controversy surrounding the location of the first Catholic mass in the Philippines, focusing on two claims: Limasawa and Butuan. Based on the journals of Antonio Pigafetta and Francisco Albo, both of whom were part of Magellan's expedition, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines supports Limasawa as the site. The video highlights key evidence supporting Limasawa, such as navigational routes and historical accounts, while contrasting it with the less substantiated claims of Butuan. Ultimately, the Limasawa claim is deemed more credible based on verified evidence.

Takeaways

• 📜 The discussion focuses on the site of the first Catholic mass in the Philippines, a controversial topic in Philippine history.
• 🇵🇭 There are two places that claim to be the site of the first mass: Limasawa and Butuan.
• 👑 According to Antonio Pigafetta's account, the first mass occurred on March 31, 1521, in Limasawa (formerly called Mazawa) during Magellan's expedition.
• ✝️ The mass was conducted by Father Pedro de Valderrama, with two native chieftains, Raja Colombo of Limasawa and Raja Siago of Butuan, in attendance.
• 🌍 The mass took place on Easter Sunday, and after the ceremony, a wooden cross was planted on a hilltop.
• 🗺 Pigafetta's map and detailed accounts of Magellan's route from the Pacific to Cebu strongly support Limasawa as the location of the first mass.
• 👁 Francisco Albo, Magellan's pilot and eyewitness, also confirmed that the first mass occurred on an island called Masawa (Limasawa).
• 🛳 The Butuan claim is based on local traditions and monuments but lacks concrete primary evidence like Pigafetta's and Albo's accounts.
• 🚩 A monument to the first mass was erected in Butuan in 1872, but this is seen as symbolic rather than historical proof.
• 📊 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines, using modern navigational instruments, supports the Limasawa claim based on historical records and evidence.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the presentation?

The presentation discusses the debate over the location of the first Catholic mass in the Philippines, focusing on two main claims: Limasawa and Butuan.

Who is Antonio Pigafetta and what is his relevance to the topic?

Antonio Pigafetta was a member of Magellan's expedition and one of the 18 survivors who returned to Spain. His journal provides the most detailed account of the first mass, which he claims took place on Limasawa Island.

According to the presentation, when and where was the first mass in the Philippines held?

The first Catholic mass in the Philippines was held on March 31, 1521, Easter Sunday, on Limasawa Island according to Antonio Pigafetta's account.

What role did Francisco Albo play in the expedition, and what did he document?

Francisco Albo was Magellan’s pilot and one of the survivors of the expedition. He documented that the first mass took place on an island called ‘Masawa’ (now identified as Limasawa) and gave details about the geography and route taken.

What key evidence supports the Limasawa claim for the location of the first mass?

Key evidence includes Pigafetta’s journal, the geographical details provided by Francisco Albo, and modern navigation tools that confirm Limasawa as the location. The National Historical Commission also declared Limasawa as the site of the first mass.

What are the two native chieftains mentioned in Pigafetta’s account?

The two native chieftains present at the first mass were Raja Colambu, the ruler of Limasawa, and Raja Siaiu, the ruler of Butuan.

What evidence is there to support Butuan’s claim to the first mass?

Butuan’s claim is mostly based on tradition and interpreted evidence, such as the discovery of a boat believed to be used for worship services, and a monument placed in 1872 by Catholics in Magallanes, near Butuan City.

Why does the presentation favor Limasawa over Butuan as the site of the first mass?

The presentation favors Limasawa because it has more solid, documented evidence, including testimonies from eyewitnesses like Pigafetta and Albo, while Butuan relies on beliefs and interpreted evidence without as much concrete proof.

What was the significance of the wooden cross planted after the mass?

The wooden cross was planted by Magellan’s party on a small hill in Limasawa as a symbol of Christianity and to mark the occasion of the first Catholic mass in the Philippines.

What role did modern navigational instruments play in this historical debate?

Modern navigational instruments helped validate the accounts of Pigafetta and Albo by confirming the geographical descriptions they provided, aligning their accounts with the location of Limasawa.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Introduction and Background of the First Mass Controversy

The first paragraph introduces the discussion about the controversy surrounding the location of the first Catholic mass in the Philippines. The group presenting begins by briefly mentioning the identification and evaluation of the event, setting the stage for a deeper examination. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) is mentioned, declaring Masawa (Limasawa) as the site of the first mass. The speaker outlines the main question about where the first mass occurred, contrasting claims of Masawa and Butuan.

05:02

📅 Pigafetta’s Account: The First Mass in Masawa

This paragraph dives into Antonio Pigafetta’s account, a key source in the debate. Pigafetta, a member of Magellan's expedition, documented the first mass held on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1521, on the island of Masawa, now called Limasawa. The mass was officiated by Father Pedro de Valderrama, with two native chieftains, Raja Colombo and Raja Siago, in attendance. It describes how the mass was followed by the planting of a cross on a hill. The expedition's route from the Pacific Ocean to Cebu further supports the claim of Limasawa being the site of the first mass.

🗺️ Supporting Evidence from Pigafetta’s Map

Continuing from Pigafetta’s account, this paragraph highlights supporting evidence from his map, which shows the route taken from the Pacific Ocean to Cebu, pointing toward Limasawa and not Mindanao. The account also mentions the crew's seven-day stay on the island before continuing their journey. This period of time on the island strengthens the claim that the mass took place there.

👨‍✈️ Francisco Albo’s Testimony on Masawa

Francisco Albo, another important eyewitness from Magellan's crew and one of the survivors of the voyage, provides further testimony supporting Masawa. According to Albo, the mass was held on Masawa island, where they planted a cross on the summit of a mountain, from which they could see three islands. His account aligns geographically with Limasawa, which is located south of Leyte.

🏞️ The Butuan Claim: Tradition and Belief

This section explores the claim that the first mass was held in Butuan, a belief rooted in Catholic traditions of the Philippines. A cross monument placed by Catholics in 1872 marks what they believe to be the location of the first mass. The paragraph describes the popular belief in Butuan as the site, supported by historical traditions rather than firsthand evidence.

🛶 Examining the Butuan Evidence: Boats and Traditions

This paragraph examines the evidence supporting the Butuan claim, particularly the discovery of boats believed to have been used for worship services during Magellan’s expedition. The supporters of this claim argue that Magellan’s crew visited both Butuan and Masawa. However, the sources of this claim are said to be less definite, relying on tradition and interpretation rather than firsthand documentation.

🔍 Reflection: Evaluating the Two Claims

The final paragraph offers a reflection on the evidence presented for both claims. The Masawa claim, supported by Pigafetta’s and Albo’s eyewitness accounts and modern navigational analysis, is deemed more credible. Butuan’s claim is seen as based more on tradition and belief rather than solid evidence. The conclusion favors the Masawa account, backed by firsthand documentation and verification from historical specialists.

Keywords

💡First Mass in the Philippines

The 'First Mass in the Philippines' refers to the first documented Catholic mass held on March 31, 1521, during the expedition of Ferdinand Magellan. This event marks the introduction of Christianity to the Philippines and is a highly significant historical moment. In the video, there is a debate between two locations, Limasawa and Butuan, each claiming to be the site of the first mass.

💡Limasawa

Limasawa is the modern name of the island that Antonio Pigafetta referred to as 'Mazawa' in his account of Magellan's expedition. According to Pigafetta and Francisco Albo's records, the first mass was held here. Limasawa is considered by many historians, including the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, as the true location of the first mass.

💡Butuan

Butuan is an alternative site proposed for the location of the first mass in the Philippines. Supporters of this theory believe the first mass occurred in Butuan, citing local traditions and a monument erected there in 1872. However, the evidence for this claim is less concrete, relying more on interpreted beliefs rather than direct historical accounts.

💡Antonio Pigafetta

Antonio Pigafetta was an Italian scholar and explorer who chronicled Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition. His journal serves as one of the primary historical sources for determining where the first mass in the Philippines took place. In the video, Pigafetta's account is used as key evidence to support the claim that Limasawa is the true location of the first mass.

💡Francisco Albo

Francisco Albo was the pilot of one of Magellan's ships and an eyewitness to the expedition. His account supports the Limasawa claim by providing navigational data and descriptions of the events surrounding the first mass. In the video, his testimony is presented as strong supporting evidence for Limasawa being the location of the first mass.

💡Magellan’s Expedition

Magellan’s Expedition was the first recorded circumnavigation of the Earth, led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan under the Spanish flag. This expedition introduced Catholicism to the Philippines. The first mass in the Philippines is tied directly to this expedition, with Magellan’s crew participating in the event.

💡National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)

The NHCP is a government agency responsible for promoting and preserving Philippine history. In the video, it is mentioned that the NHCP has officially recognized Limasawa as the site of the first mass, providing authoritative backing for this claim based on modern historical research.

💡Raja of Limasawa

The Raja of Limasawa, also referred to as Raja Colombo, was one of the native leaders who attended the first mass according to historical accounts. His participation signifies the early interaction between the indigenous peoples of the Philippines and European explorers, marking the beginning of religious and cultural exchanges.

💡Raja of Butuan

The Raja of Butuan, referred to as Raja Siago, was the leader of Butuan, which is also claimed to be the site of the first mass. This character plays a key role in the Butuan claim, though the video explains that this claim lacks the historical evidence to be as convincing as the Limasawa theory.

💡Primary Sources

Primary sources are original documents or eyewitness accounts that provide direct evidence of historical events. In the video, the primary sources mentioned include the journals of Antonio Pigafetta and Francisco Albo, which are crucial to establishing the location of the first mass in the Philippines. These sources are seen as more reliable than interpretations based on local beliefs.

Highlights

The discussion focuses on the site of the first mass in the Philippines and the identification and evaluation of this historical event.

There is a controversy in Philippine history regarding the location of the first mass, with two places claiming the title.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) declared that Limasawa is the site of the first mass.

Antonio Pigafetta, a member of Magellan's expedition, recorded that the first mass was held on March 31, 1521, on the island of Mazawa (modern-day Limasawa).

The mass was conducted by Father Pedro de Valderrama of Magellan’s expedition, with two native chieftains, Raja Colombo of Limasawa and Raja Siago of Butuan, in attendance.

After the mass, a wooden cross was erected on a hill, which was an important part of the ceremony.

Pigafetta’s journal provides detailed evidence that the expedition route pointed towards Limasawa from the Pacific Ocean to Cebu.

Francisco Albo, another eyewitness from the Magellan expedition, also confirmed that the first mass took place on an island called Mazawa.

Albo's account describes planting a cross on a summit, from which three islands could be seen, fitting the description of Limasawa.

Butuan claims the first mass occurred on the island of Masao in Butuan, based on tradition and Catholic Church records.

In 1872, Catholics placed a monument where they believed the first mass took place in Butuan, marking the location in the town of Magallanes.

Butuan's claim lacks primary sources and relies on interpreted evidence, unlike Limasawa's claim, which has documented eyewitness accounts.

Researchers conclude that Limasawa's claim is stronger due to the presence of verified sources like Pigafetta and Albo.

Modern navigational instruments have helped validate the location of the first mass based on the descriptions in Pigafetta’s and Albo’s accounts.

Butuan's evidence, including a discovered boat used for worship services, remains unverified, and its claim is considered less compelling.

Transcripts

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foreign

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good day everyone we are from group one

and we will discuss about the side of

the first mass in the Philippines but

first let's talk about its

identification and evaluation

so here for there's a joke

Filipino regarding to this controversial

Topic in Philippine history

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first mass so before we go into discuss

young topic first

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the first baptism in the country

and Catholic influence

foreign

so the biggest question here

first mass there are always two claiming

places

on the other hand

nhcp or National Historical commission

already declared that the masawa is the

site for the first mass however

let's take a look at the evidences of

both sides foreign

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account let us know who he is so

pigafetta is one of the members of

Magellan's expedition and also one of

the 18 men who returned to Spain in 1522

so let's talk Dali masawa claim

in Antonio pigafetta's account so

according to Antonio pigafetta's Journal

during the expedition of Magellan the

first mass was held on Easter Sunday

March 31 1521 on island called mazawa or

also known as limasawa as of today

this Mass was held on March 31 1521 it

is the Eastern Sunday it is the first

documented Catholic mass in the

Philippines it was conducted by father

pedo de Valderrama of Ferdinand

Magellan's expedition

second two native Chieftains were in

attendance the Raja of mazawa and the

Raja of Batuan these are the two native

Chieftains Raja Colombo the ruler of

limasawa and Raja siago the ruler of

putuan both of whom kiss and pray with

crew

the third one is after the mass the

party went up little Hill and planted

wooden cross upon its Summit

fourth the testimony as regards the

route taken by the Expedition from the

Pacific Ocean to Cebu so meaning to say

is really pointing out to limasawa if it

depends account would tell us that there

is a route is from Pacific Ocean going

to Cebu then certainly

masawa

fifth the evidence of pigafetta's God

there's an Evidence in pigafetta's map

that it it's really their route at Hindi

Mindanao Park

the last one the events of the seven

days at the island of mazawa

they stayed seven days going to prior to

their expedition to Cebu

now let's move on to another supporting

evidence regarding the message Francisco

Alba

so Francisco Aldo was Magellan's pilot

and one of the 80 survivors who

successfully returned on the ship

Victoria after circumnavigating the

world

according to Francisco Albus love

Francisco albo who is an eyewitnesses of

the Magellan's Voyage stated that the

first mass in the Philippines took place

on an island called masawa in Argos

account

according to Alba's account they said

words along coast of salami they turned

Southwest to masawa Silas

he indicated that they planted a cross

was erected on the summit of the

mountain and according to Francisco Alba

at the summit of the mountain you can

see three Islands from west and

southwest whereas butuan can be seen in

the north Direction

moving forward to Masala Aldo and others

planted across on the summit and from

that place you can see the different

Islands surrounding the mountain

Masala slices at latitude of nine and

two thirds degree North and it fits in

the location of small islands of

limasawa south of Leyte

now let's move on and the magnetize the

other cream which is the butuan or masal

claim the first belief or popular belief

before is the first mass was really held

in butuan because this is what is

written in the traditions of the

Catholic Church here in the Philippines

and it was held on the island of masau

in butuan agusan Del Norte

foreign

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in 1872 Catholics placed a monument of

cross where the first mass took place

and in its current location it is

located in the town of magallanes near

butuan City

foreign

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boats that were used by the Filipinos

back then which they believe were used

to travel or transport the locals for

worship services

both sides of the claims allege that the

Magellan Expedition reached the two

places which are the Le masawa and

butuan also both of them agreed that the

first mass was held at masawa but when

it comes to the proof of their evidences

let's take a look at their sources

they rely on primary sources they depend

on the testimonies of two persons that

are physically present during the mass

on the other hand butuan claims has no

definite sources they only rely on

interpreted evidences and their beliefs

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reflection according to our

understanding of the research process

each claim provided evidence in a

different way but only one was

successful and the claim that provided

us with the most Clarity is

since it has strong points there are

people who confirm and gave evidence

based on what they wrote in their

journals during their expedition were

exactly the first must took place in the

Philippines and it is Antonio pigafetta

and Francisco album because what they

wrote fit the said location with the

help of the National Historical

commission it matched with the

assistance of modern navigational

instruments that were used to interpret

the account of pigafetta and Francisco

albon the bottom claim on the other hand

is based on beliefs and other evidence

that there is proof that a boat was

discovered that was used for worship

services

for us this may be true but it has not

yet been verified therefore in our

judgment the claim supported by

sufficient a fox and validated by our

specialist is more compelling to us

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