Readings in Philippine History-Analysis on the Site of the First Mass- Butuan? or Limasawa?

Summary

This video script delves into the historical debate surrounding the location of the first Catholic Mass in the Philippines, highlighting the potential biases and multiple perspectives of historians. It focuses on the conflicting claims between Limasawa Island and Masao Island in Buduan, providing detailed accounts from Francisco Albo and Antonio Pigafetta. The discussion underscores the significance of this event in the birth of Christianity in the Philippines and its lasting impact on the nation's faith and culture.

Takeaways

• 📚 Conflicts and controversies in Philippine history studies often arise due to subjective interpretations by historians, which can be influenced by their educational background and personal biases.
• 🌐 The existence of multiple perspectives in history contributes to the ongoing debates and conflicts, as historians may have different interpretations based on their viewpoints, leading to the concept of 'one past but many histories'.
• 🎥 The video discusses a specific topic of conflict in Philippine history: the location of the first Catholic mass, with claims that it occurred either in Limasawa or in Masao Island in Buduan.
• 🗓️ The National Historical Institute declared Limasawa Island as the site of the first Catholic mass in 1998, but there are counterclaims that it happened in Buduan, Masao Island.
• 📖 Two primary sources provide evidence for the location of the first mass: accounts from Francisco Albo, a pilot in Magellan's fleet, and Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian nobleman who documented the voyage.
• 🌍 Albo's account suggests the location fits the description of Limasawa Island at the southern tip of Leyte, while Pigafetta provides detailed accounts of the activities during the stay in Masawa Island.
• 🙏 The first Catholic mass is considered a significant event marking the birth of Christianity in the Philippines, with the event taking place on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1521.
• 🤔 Arguments supporting the Buduan claim are based on the similarity of names and the presence of gold in the area, which was mentioned by the Europeans and is evident in the artifacts found in Butuan.
• 📝 A Jesuit priest, Miguel A. Bernard, in his 1981 work, argues against the Buduan claim by pointing out the omission of a crucial geographical feature, the river, in Pigafetta's account.
• 🏛️ As of July 15, 2020, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines affirmed that the first mass occurred in Limasawa, based on the lack of sufficient evidence for the Buduan claim.
• 🙌 The significance of the first mass extends beyond its location, as it represents the introduction of Christianity to the Philippines and the lasting impact of this event on the Filipino people's faith and culture.

Q & A

Why is there room for conflicts and controversies in the study of Philippine history?

There is room for conflicts and controversies in the study of Philippine history primarily because historians can be subjective in their interpretations, which may be biased due to their educational background or personal perspectives. Additionally, the existence of multiple perspectives on historical events can lead to different interpretations, contributing to conflicts and controversies.

What is the significance of the first Catholic mass in the Philippines?

The first Catholic mass in the Philippines is significant because it marks the introduction of Christianity to the country. It signifies the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines and the beginning of the Filipinos' exposure to the message of Jesus Christ and the gospel.

What are the two main sources of evidence regarding the first Catholic mass in the Philippines?

The two main sources of evidence regarding the first Catholic mass in the Philippines are the accounts of Francisco Albo, a pilot in one of Magellan's ships, and Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian nobleman, cartographer, and geographer who documented the voyage.

Why was the location of the first Catholic mass a point of contention?

The location of the first Catholic mass is a point of contention because there are claims that it occurred in both Limasawa Island and in Masao Island in Buduan. The differing accounts and interpretations of historical evidence have led to debates among historians.

What is the importance of the historical debate surrounding the location of the first Catholic mass?

The historical debate surrounding the location of the first Catholic mass is important because it reflects the complexity of historical interpretation and the significance of accurate historical records. It also highlights the impact of this event on the spread of Christianity in the Philippines.

What is the significance of the date March 31, 1521, in Philippine history?

March 31, 1521, is significant in Philippine history as it is the date of the first Catholic mass, which was celebrated on Easter Sunday. This event is considered the birth of Christianity in the country.

What role did Magellan and his crew play in the introduction of Catholicism to the Philippines?

Magellan and his crew played a crucial role in the introduction of Catholicism to the Philippines by conducting the first Catholic mass during their voyage. This event marked the beginning of the spread of the Christian faith in the country.

What is the current stance of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines regarding the location of the first Catholic mass?

As of July 15, 2020, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, through Resolution No. 2, affirmed that the site of the first mass happened in Limasawa, based on the analysis of historical evidence and the lack of sufficient evidence to support the claim that it occurred in Masao Island in Buduan.

What does the script suggest about the role of historians and social science students in understanding historical events?

The script suggests that historians and social science students have the task of conducting research to uncover and analyze historical evidence, contributing to a deeper understanding of events like the first Catholic mass and their impact on society.

What is the significance of the planting of the cross during the first Catholic mass?

The planting of the cross during the first Catholic mass symbolizes the establishment of Christianity in the Philippines. It was a physical representation of the faith that was introduced to the Filipino people and has since become a part of their cultural and religious identity.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Philippine History Controversies

The video script begins by addressing the inherent conflicts and controversies in the study of Philippine history, primarily due to subjective interpretations by historians which may be influenced by their educational background and personal biases. Artifacts, being silent, can be interpreted in various ways, leading to multiple perspectives and thus 'one past but many histories.' The vlog focuses on a specific historical debate: the location of the first Catholic mass in the Philippines, which is claimed to be either in Limasawa or Masawa Island in Budual. The script introduces the video's host, Sir June, a philosophy and social science teacher, and sets the stage for a discussion on the historical evidence and accounts related to this significant event.

05:00

🌐 Historical Accounts of the First Catholic Mass

This paragraph delves into the historical accounts that provide evidence for the location of the first Catholic mass in the Philippines. Two key sources are mentioned: Francisco Albo, a pilot on Magellan's ship, and Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian nobleman who documented the voyage. Albo's account, which does not explicitly mention the first mass but details the planting of the cross on a hilltop, is analyzed alongside Pigafetta's testimony. The latter provides a more detailed narrative of the events, including the landing on Masawa Island and the interactions with the local people, suggesting that the first mass occurred during the Holy Week of 1521. The paragraph also discusses the significance of the mass in marking the introduction of Christianity to the Philippines.

10:01

🗺️ Geographical Analysis of the First Mass Location

The script continues with a geographical analysis of the potential sites of the first Catholic mass, focusing on the accounts of Albo and Pigafetta. It discusses the航行路线 and the locations of various islands, including their latitudes, as described by the explorers. The analysis suggests that Albo's account aligns with the location of Limasawa Island at the southern tip of Leyte, while Pigafetta provides a detailed account of the seven-day stay in Masawa Island, culminating in the first mass on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1521. The paragraph highlights the importance of understanding the historical context and the significance of the first mass in the establishment of Christianity in the Philippines.

15:02

🤔 The Debate Over the First Mass's Location

This paragraph presents the ongoing debate about the exact location of the first Catholic mass, with some historians arguing for Buduan in Masawa Island, while others support Limasawa. The arguments in favor of Buduan are based on the similarity between the king of Masawa and the king of Karanga, as well as the abundance of gold in the area. However, a Jesuit priest, Miguel A. Bernard, challenges the Buduan theory by pointing out the omission of the river in Pigafetta's account, which is a distinct geographical feature of Buduan. The paragraph also notes the National Historical Commission of the Philippines' resolution affirming Limasawa as the site of the first mass, as of July 15, 2020.

20:04

🙏 The Impact and Significance of the First Catholic Mass

The final paragraph reflects on the broader implications of the first Catholic mass, emphasizing the importance of the event in the spread of Christianity in the Philippines. It acknowledges the ongoing debate about the location but suggests that the impact of the mass on Filipino faith and the introduction of Christian values is more significant than the specific site. The host, Surgeon Michael Antony, concludes by encouraging further research and discussion on the topic, highlighting the role of historians, social science students, and history enthusiasts in uncovering the truth and deepening the understanding of this pivotal moment in Philippine history.

Keywords

💡Conflicts and Controversies

Conflicts and controversies in the context of the video refer to the differing interpretations and debates among historians regarding certain events in Philippine history. The video emphasizes the subjective nature of historical interpretation, which can lead to varied and sometimes conflicting narratives. An example from the script is the debate over the location of the first Catholic mass in the Philippines, which is a central theme of the video.

💡Historians

Historians are individuals who study and interpret past events. In the video, it is mentioned that historians may be subjective in their interpretations due to personal biases or educational backgrounds, which can lead to conflicts and controversies. The video uses the term to highlight the role of historians in shaping our understanding of history, such as their differing accounts of the first Catholic mass.

💡Artifacts

Artifacts in the video script are physical objects made by humans, often used by historians to interpret the past. The script notes that artifacts themselves cannot 'speak' for themselves, implying that their meaning is subject to the interpretation of historians, which can introduce bias and lead to multiple perspectives on historical events.

💡Perspectives

The concept of perspectives in the video refers to the different viewpoints or interpretations that can arise when studying history. The script mentions 'multi perspectives in history,' indicating that the same event can be understood in various ways, contributing to the potential for conflicts and controversies.

💡First Catholic Mass

The first Catholic mass is a pivotal event discussed in the video, marking the introduction of Christianity to the Philippines. The script delves into the controversy surrounding the location of this event, which is central to the video's theme of historical conflicts and the varying narratives presented by different historians.

💡Magellan

Ferdinand Magellan is a key historical figure in the video, known for his expeditions and the introduction of Catholicism to the Philippines. The script discusses the events surrounding his voyage, including the first Catholic mass and the planting of the cross, which are significant in the context of the video's exploration of historical narratives.

💡Francisco Albo

Francisco Albo is mentioned in the script as a pilot in one of Magellan's ships and one of the survivors who returned to Spain. His account provides evidence for the location of the first Catholic mass, contributing to the ongoing debate and illustrating the video's theme of multiple historical perspectives.

💡Antonio Pigafetta

Antonio Pigafetta is portrayed in the video as an Italian nobleman, cartographer, and geographer who documented Magellan's voyage. His detailed account of the events, including the first Catholic mass, is a central piece of evidence in the debate over its location, highlighting the importance of primary sources in historical research.

💡Latitude and Longitude

The terms latitude and longitude are used in the script to describe the geographical coordinates of the locations visited by Magellan's expedition. These terms are crucial for understanding the debate over the location of the first Catholic mass, as they help to pinpoint the exact sites being discussed.

💡National Historical Institute

The National Historical Institute is an organization mentioned in the script that declared Limasawa Island as the site of the first Catholic mass in the Philippines. The script discusses the claims and counterclaims surrounding this declaration, tying into the video's broader theme of historical controversies.

💡Christianity

Christianity is a central theme in the video, as the introduction of the faith to the Philippines through the first Catholic mass is a significant historical event. The script explores the impact of this event on Filipino culture and society, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical context and the spread of religious beliefs.

Highlights

Conflicts and controversies in Philippine history studies arise due to subjective interpretations and multiple perspectives.

Historians' biases may stem from their educational background and personal views on historical artifacts.

The first Catholic mass in the Philippines is a contentious topic with claims of its location being either Lima or Masawa Island in Budual.

The National Historical Institute declared Limasawa Island as the site of the first Catholic mass in 1998.

Father Pedro Valderrama officiated the first mass on March 31, 1521, during Magellan's expedition.

Two key sources of evidence for the location of the first mass are accounts by Francisco Albo and Antonio Pigafetta.

Albo's account suggests the first mass occurred in Limasawa Island, based on latitude and location descriptions.

Pigafetta provides detailed accounts of the seven-day activities on Masawa Island, including the first mass.

Arguments for the first mass occurring in Budual, Masawa Island, are based on the proximity to gold-rich areas and historical similarities.

Miguel A. Bernard's work challenges the Budual claim due to the omission of the river in Pigafetta's account.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines affirmed the site of the first mass as Limasawa in a 2020 resolution.

The significance of the first mass is the introduction of Christianity and Catholicism to the Philippines.

The impact of the first mass on Filipino lives and the spread of the Christian faith is more important than its exact location.

Further research is encouraged to uncover the truth about the location of the first Catholic mass in the Philippines.

The task of historians and social science students is to investigate and provide sufficient evidence for historical claims.

The message of Christianity and its influence on Filipino culture is the lasting legacy of the first mass.

Transcripts

there is always room for

conflicts and controversies in our

studies of the philippine history

why there are spaces for conflicts and

controversies

primarily because number one

historians could be subjective in their

interpretations

so their interpretations might be biased

in their educational background they may

be biased in their

personal interpretation of the artifacts

of course as we have

understood that artifacts couldn't speak

for themselves

so those who interpreted the artifacts

or a particular historical

topic might be biased in their

interpretation

number one uh another thing is that

there are also

multi perspectives in history there are

a lot of

perspectives when we study history that

is why

there will always be room for conflicts

there will always be spaces for

controversies

in the studies of history and some

historians would call this as

one past but many histories of course

there are many histories because

there could be many interpretations

based on the perspectives of

the historians so for today's vlog

we are going to talk about one

particular topic

that is very interesting in the spaces

for conflicts and

controversies in the philippine history

so the first

catholic mass that happened in the

philippines so this is now the

conflict or controversies was it

in lima or in masawa island in budual

but if you are still new to my channel

don't forget to hit the like

subscribe and ring the bell down there

but i'm updated

videos knocking here so this is sir june

your philosophy and social science

teacher and welcome

to my channel

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

1998 the national historical institute

declared that li masawa island was the

place in which the first catholic mass

happened in the philippines however

there were some claims there were some

claims that

buduan was also the place

of the first catholic mass and it

happened somewhere in masao island

in budwana the first

catholic mass happened on march 31

16 21 that is why this coming

1521 the roman catholic church

will celebrate its 500 years

500 years

[Music]

now it was officiated or the first mass

was presided

by father pedro valderrama of course a

friar

who was together with magellan during

their navigation

layout there are actually two sources

that would serve as evidences as to

where

when and how did this catholic mass

transpired in the philippines

so the first account was coming from

francisco albo

and he was a pilot in one of magellan's

ship

and that was the trinidad and francisco

albo was

one also of these survivors was one of

the 18 survivors who accompanied

sebastian del cano in going back to

spain

and of course the second account was

coming from

antonio pigafeta was an italian nobleman

a cartographer

and geographer who was sent particularly

by the king of spain

together with magellan to document their

voyage

to the eastern islands

[Music]

francisco albo and it was found in one

of the citations

of miguel a bernard in his book

but or limasawa the site of the first

mass

in the philippines a re-examination of

the evidence and it was published in the

year

1981 according to francisco alva

on march 16 1521 as they sailed in the

westerly course

from la drones or marianas island they

saw

land towards the northwest but owing to

many shallow places

they did not approach it they found

later

that its name was yunagan they

went instead that same day southwards to

another small island named sulwan

and this was boot one and there they

anchored

there they saw some canoes but this fled

at the spaniards approach this island

was at nine

and two-thirds degree north latitude

departing from those two islands they

sailed westward to an uninhabited island

of

gada where they took in a supply of wood

and

water the sea around the island was free

from shallows

albu does not give the latitude of this

island but pigafetta's testimony

seems to be the aguada or the human horn

at 10 degrees

north latitude from that island

they sailed westwards towards a large

island named selenite this was lady

that was inhabited and was known to have

gold

so asylum is called as ceylon or leyte

sailing southwards along the coast of

that large island of

senegal or leyte they turn southwest to

a small island called

masava that island is also at a latitude

of nine

and two thirds decrease north

the people of that island of mazawa were

very good

there the spaniards planted a cross upon

a mountain top

and from there they were shown three

islands to the west and southwest

where they were told there was much gold

they showed us how the gold was gathered

which came in small pieces like peace

and lentils

from mazava they sailed northwards

against

towards selenite rayon

we have to note that albu did not

mention about the first mass

he he mentioned about the planting of

the cross on the top of the hill

he did not also mentioned li masawa

he neither mentioned about masao in

buddhua

so what is this

and what does it mean however based on

the analysis of the

the latitude and the location

of the description albus account

would fit to the location of the masawa

island

and that was the southern tip of leyte

so that's why would actually tell us

that

it was there in lima the southern tip of

[Music]

of leyte pigafeta in this side of the

first match

according to pigafetta saturday march 16

1521 magellan's expedition

cited a highland named zamal which was

sung

300 leagues westward of ladrones or

marianas islands

on sunday march 17 the following day

after sighting zamal island

they landed on another island which was

uninhabited

and which lay to the right of the above

mentioned island of zamal to the right

here

would mean under starboard going south

or southwest

there they set up two tents for the sick

members of the crew

and had a so killed for them the name of

this island

was humuno or we called now a sumon hon

this island was located at 10 degrees

north

latitude on the same day

march 17 sunday magellan

named the entire archipelago the islands

of saint lazarus

the reason being that it was sunday in

the lenten season when the gospel

assigned for the mass and the liturgical

office

was the 11th chapter of saint john which

tells of the racing of lazarus from the

dead

on monday march 18 the afternoon of the

second day on that island

they saw a boat coming towards them with

nine men in it

an exchange of gifts was affected

magellan asked

for food supplies and the men went away

promising to bring rice and other

supplies in four days

there were two springs of water in that

island from one horn

also they saw there's some indications

that there was

gold in these islands consequently

magellan renamed the island and called

it the watering place of good omen

or in their language

[Music]

on friday march 22 at noon the natives

returned

this time they went they were in two

boats and they

brought food supplies majella's

expedition stayed

eight days at the mount horn from sunday

on march

17 to the monday of the following week

on march 25th

[Music]

that the filipinos the natives welcomed

the europeans

they were offered with food and other

supplies

and vitorinate

among europeans about the presence of

gold in the philippine islands so

this is the watering place of good signs

signs of goons and

right now on march 25th

monday in the afternoon magellan and his

men

left the island of homonhon and they

sailed towards

west southwest that was between the four

islands named

sinaloa

[Music]

these were probably as the misspellings

of some of the places such as

now the ceylon is slated now they sell

towards

the southern tip of or the west

southwest

of leyte they left homonhon sailing

westwards

towards leyte then followed the lady

coast southward

passing between the island of

on the report side and hinuagan bay

under starboard

and then continued southward then

turning

westward to masawa

they landed an anchored in the island of

masawa

[Music]

on march 28 that was thursday and

in the morning of holy thursday

they reached in this island of course

and

this was 25 lakes from the aguada

and this is called the masawa island

and they remain seven days in this

masawa island

he mentioned

[Music]

this is now the conflicting point of

view

after staying for seven days in masawa

island

and the underground first mass of course

masawa

they left masawa and they were guided by

the king

of mazawa so they went to cebu

or subu and you know what happened there

it was

late in cebu that magellan was killed

now it must be noted that pigafetta's

account

gave more details on the seven day

activity

in the masawa island and um

pigafetta mentions about how did it

happen how the first match happened when

did it happen where did it happen

so basically they stayed in masawa

island

during the holy week

for your informations among

non-catholics holy week is a significant

event

of the catholic faith it is a memorable

event of the pastoral mystery of christ

in which

this is the time of uh jue de santo

de santo good friday then holy saturday

then of course easter sunday now

it happened that on march 31 1521

it was the easter sunday and this is a

huge celebration

this was the time that jesus christ rose

from the dead

so this event was recorded in history as

the first christian ritual that

happened in the philippine islands this

was the first

catholic mass that happened in

the eastern islands and we have to know

that

this is momentous catholics

this signifies the birth of

christianity in the philippines this

signifies

the birth of tartulis

in our country according to pigafetta

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

50 men and the mask was celebrated

after which a cross was venerated

magellan and the spaniards returned to

the ship

for the noonday meal but in the

afternoon they returned ashore

to plant the cross on the summit of the

highest

hill in attendance both at the mast

and the planting of the cross were the

king of mazawa

and the king of bhutan

[Music]

arguments of those people

historians who believed that the first

catholic mass happened

in budwaan somewhere in masawa island

so masao island in bhutan the arguments

was actually based on

the idea that the the king of masawa

that was rahashiyago

was the brother of raha ulambu and

rahul was the king of karanga so somehow

my point is similarity and of course

the europeans himself

mentioned about the abundance of gold

the presence of

gold in the place and we know that

bhutan has

a lot

[Music]

there are a lot of presence of this

artifacts

speaks something about their history the

richness of their history

however according to a jesuit priest

miguel a bernard in his work budwan or

limasawa

the site of the first mass in the

philippines a re-examination of evidence

in 1981

he lays down the argument that in

pigafetta's account

a crucial aspect of butwan was not

mentioned

that is the river but one is a reverent

settlement situated in the

on the agusan river the beach of masao

is in the delta of that said river

it is a crush a curious omission

in the account of the river which makes

part

of a distinct characteristics of

boudoir's geography

that seemed to be important to be missed

it must also be pointed out that later

on

after magellan's death the survivors of

his expedition

went to mindanao and seemingly they went

to bhutan

and in fact it was the king of bhutan

it was the king of bhutan who gave them

supplies who gave them food

so that they can survive in their

navigation in going back to

spain now in this instance pigafetta

mentioned about the tip of the river

this is input one it is important to

notice also now

it happened already after the first mass

and it happened already after the battle

of montana

so

[Music]

as of now on july 15 2020

the national historical commission of

the philippines board of commissioners

signed a resolution number two adopting

or affirming that the

site of the first mass happened in lima

this was still uh based on the argument

that

those pro bhutan or those people those

historians who proved that

they first was happening to unlock the

sufficient evidence

that indeed it happened in bhutan and so

there was no amendment of the

proclamation of the national historical

institute

that i mentioned earlier and as of now

[Music]

until historians would prove

that there is enough evidence that

indeed

the first catholic mass happened in

masao island

somewhere in bhutan that is why

until now there is still room for

research in the issue

there is still room for a lot of

questions

as to where this gasoline must really

happen

and i think this is our task as

historians this is our task

as social science students as history

lovers

this is our task to make research about

this particular issue

to prove our certain claim to have

sufficient evidence to our certain claim

munit filipino

whether it happened in masala island in

bhutwan or somewhere in limasau island

in late day

for me as a catholic

as a christian it does not matter

anymore

does that matter but if there are

evidences i think this is good for

historical discussion no but for me as

of now

what matters is that because of this

first mass

because of this particular event in

history then

we had christianity we had catholicism

we had this

faith as a christian and because of this

event

we started or the filipinos started to

know jesus christ

and because of this event the filipinos

started to hear the message of

christianity

the message of jesus christ the message

of the gospel

and this is more significant than the

event itself

the significance is the impact the

significance of this particular event is

the aftermath

and this is now the christianity that we

have

lived in our lives from that moment

and until in our time today

this is surgeon michael antony your

philosophy and social science teacher

and i hope that you have learned

something from our discussion today

god bless you