SOCSCI 1100

Readings in Philippine History

Philippines’ First Mass: Limasawa

or Masao?
A Historical Controversy
BEED 1-1 | GROUP 1
 BUTUAN OR LIMASAWA?
The Site of the First Mass in the Philippines

On March 31, 1521, Magellan's expedition

conducted the first recorded Catholic Mass in
the Philippines. Where exactly did this happen
— Limasawa in Southern Leyte or Masao
(Butuan) in Mindanao?
 ABSTRACT
The controversy over the site of the first Mass
was officially settled by the National Historical
Institute (NHI) in 1998, which declared
Limasawa as the official site. However, local
historians and scholars in Butuan still argue for
Masao as the site of the Mass.
 PRIMARY SOURCES
1. Antonio Pigafetta's Journal (1521)
2. Francisco Albo’s Logbook (1521)
3. Legazpi’s Reports (1565)

These sources were created by individuals

directly involved in the Magellan expedition
and serve as first-hand documentation of the
event.
 SECONDARY SOURCES
1. Miguel A. Bernard, SJ (1981) – 'Butuan or
Limasawa: A Re-examination of Evidence'
2. Emma Helen Blair and James Robertson –
'The Philippine Islands: 1493–1898'
3. Fr. Jose Arcilla, SJ – Historical Works on
Magellan and Pigafetta’s Narratives
4. NHCP Reports and Position Papers (1998
and 2021)
5. Dr. Victor Torres and Dr. Danilo Gerona's
Contributions on Philippine Colonial History
 WHO IS FRANCISCO ALBO?
Francisco Albo was the Greek pilot of the ship
'Victoria', which completed the first
circumnavigation of the Earth.
His logbook provides crucial geographical data,
including detailed directions and coordinates.
Albo recorded ‘Masaua’ as an island at 9 2/3° N,
which is consistent with the location of
Limasawa.
His logs offer evidence against Butuan, as the
geographical details do not match its inland
location.
 WHO IS ANTONIO PIGAFETTA?
Antonio Pigafetta was an Italian scholar and
chronicler who traveled with Magellan.
His journals are the most detailed account of the
expedition and the first Mass in the Philippines.
Pigafetta’s writings describe the island of Mazaua
in great detail but never mention a river, which
would be a significant feature in Butuan.
Pigafetta’s description of Mazaua aligns
geographically with Limasawa, not Butuan.
 ALBO’S LOGBOOK ANALYSIS
Albo’s logbook is instrumental in establishing the
timeline and route of the Magellan expedition.
After leaving Homonhon, the expedition sailed to
an island called ‘Masaua’ at 9 2/3° N latitude.
This description fits Limasawa’s location in
Southern Leyte, which matches the coordinates
mentioned.
Albo never recorded a river, contradicting the
claims for Butuan.
The lack of any reference to a river or inland
features further suggests that the Mass was not
held in Butuan.
PIGAFETTA’S ACCOUNT ANALYSIS
Pigafetta’s account is crucial to understanding
the timeline and events of the first Mass.
He describes the arrival at Mazaua on March
28, 1521, with the Mass held on Easter Sunday,
March 31, 1521.
He mentioned a king and a peaceful reception,
but notably, no river or inland features are
described.
There is a direct mention of the Rajah of
Butuan, but that could indicate diplomatic
relations, not the actual site of the Mass.
 WHY LIMASAWA?
Limasawa’s location at 9 2/3° N latitude perfectly
matches Albo’s description of Masaua.
The island of Limasawa fits the geographical
features outlined by Pigafetta and Albo: it is an
island with no river, matching the descriptions of
the Mass site.
The NHCP’s 1998 official declaration of Limasawa
is supported by archaeological evidence, such as
the discovery of a cross and a church bell dating
back to the 16th century.
Recent studies by historians like Dr. Torres and Dr.
Gerona validate this position.
WHY SOME ARGUE FOR BUTUAN
Butuan was a prominent trading center in the pre-
colonial Philippines, with a river that would have been
a notable feature.
Early Spanish explorers like Antonio de Morga
mention Butuan in their accounts, but no direct
evidence links it to the first Mass.
The claim for Butuan hinges largely on the
misinterpretation of 'Mazaua' as Masao in Butuan, an
idea proposed in later accounts like Ramusio’s
compilation.
These secondary sources lack the firsthand
corroboration of Pigafetta or Albo.
REBUTTALS TO BUTUAN CLAIM
The claim that 'Mazaua' is actually Butuan is
based on misinterpretation of sources and
linguistic inaccuracies.
Pigafetta’s direct account does not mention a
river, and Albo’s logbook is geographically
consistent with Limasawa.
Historical documents like Ramusio’s account
are secondary and were not firsthand
observations.
No archaeological evidence in Butuan supports
the claim that the first Mass was held there.
 NHCP DECISION & MODERN
VALIDATION
In 1998, the NHCP declared Limasawa as the
official site based on detailed historical
research, including Pigafetta and Albo’s
accounts.
In 2021, this decision was reaffirmed after a
more thorough investigation, which included
analysis of ancient maps and modern
geographical tools.
 NHCP DECISION & MODERN
VALIDATION
Dr. Victor Torres and Dr. Danilo Gerona, two
prominent historians, have conducted
extensive studies that reinforce the claim for
Limasawa.
Limasawa’s position is further validated by
ongoing archaeological work.
 CONCLUSION
Limasawa is the most credible location for the
first Mass based on primary and secondary
sources.
The geographical evidence from Pigafetta and
Albo, combined with archaeological finds in
Limasawa, strongly supports this conclusion.
Despite some historical arguments for Butuan,
these are based on later secondary sources and
misinterpretations.
Until new evidence comes to light, Limasawa
remains the officially recognized site for the first
Mass in the Philippines.