Skip to content
OurVote2022logo
mindanews-fact-check-logo-1
  • Business
  • Peace Process
  • Governance
  • Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Special Reports
  • Mindaviews
  • Pictures
Menu
  • Business
  • Peace Process
  • Governance
  • Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Special Reports
  • Mindaviews
  • Pictures

Butuan historians ask CBCP to resolve first mass controversy in city’s favor

  • Erwin Mascariñas

-

  • April 4, 2012
Share this story

BUTUAN CITY (MindaNews/03 April) – Decades after the debate on where the first Catholic mass in the archipelago took place has remained unresolved, local historians yesterday said they have new data and evidences to prove that the “honor” belongs to the city.

They said they are hoping that the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) would finally declare that the first mass was held in Mazaua, a place in Butuan now called Masao, not in Limasawa Island in Leyte as stated in history books.


View First Mass in a larger map

Speaking before the mass marking the 491st anniversary of the event on Saturday, March 31, local historian and president of the Butuan City Heritage Society Greg Hontiveros said they are confident their new data and evidences can now convince critics and skeptics.

In an interview yesterday, Honteviros said “it took us a long time to finalize our research and gather more evidence. We felt the confidence, we finally completed the quest in finding the truth about this issue. It was a huge effort, long process and time that we took to have the position of Butuan.”

He said the CBCP has already requested an inquiry and a resolution to investigate the first mass controversy since the event is very symbolic and important to the church.

Accounts said that on March 31, 1521, Easter Sunday, Friar Pedro Valderrama celebrated mass together with Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his men. With the Spaniards were the ruler of Mazaua Rajah Siaiu and his brother Rajah Colambu, the ruler of Butuan. Afterwards they planted a cross on the highest hill and stayed in the area for seven days and helped in the rice harvest for two days together with more than a hundred of the Rajah’s men.

“When they arrived on Good Friday, they were harvesting rice for two days, that means to say, the place where they went was the Mazaua, not in Limasawa but somewhere in Mindanao. Because they harvested for two days, what can you harvest in Limasawa when there was nothing [there]?” said Father Joesilo Amalla, curator of Butuan Diocesan Liturgical Museum.

“More than a hundred of people helped in the harvest, meaning it was a huge agricultural area. I’ve been to Limasawa a lot of times. They have said that the rice harvested came from the surrounding island, and they said they have harvested in the island itself. So their claim is wrong,” Amalla added.

He pointed out that one important evidence is the Yale Codex, which according to Magellan scholars, is more impressive than the Ambrosiana Codex used in the past to justify both claims.

He said the document is now in the hands of Yale University while the other two French manuscripts are in Paris, in the French National Library.

The priest said they included the other versions of Antonio Pigafetta, the chronicler of Magellan’s voyage, because there are subtle indicators that can be used.

Amalla also presented the manuscript for a soon-to-be-published book titled The Anthology of the First Mass Controversy in the Philippines which he hopes would shed light on the CBCP inquiry.

On  March 31, 1998, the National Historical Institute chose to adopt the finding of the Gancayco Panel which dismissed the Ginés de Mafra account as fake and forthwith unilaterally reverted the discussion to pre-de Mafra context which was back to whether the site of the first mass was Limasawa, the isle without anchorage, or Butuan, which is not an isle.

The NHI reaffirmed its previous pronouncements that Limasawa is Magellan’s port. (Erwin Mascarinas/MindaNews)

Your perspective matters! Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage respectful discussions. Don't hesitate to share your ideas or engage with others.
Advertisement
Rakrakan
Follow us on Facebook
Facebook
The MindaNews Podcast
-- ad here--

TOP STORIES

SPECIAL REPORT: In Lebak, community-managed mangrove forest provides food and livelihood for residents 

Bong S. Sarmiento September 24, 2023 8:06 pm

NorMin produces less amid increase in coffee bean production nationwide

Froilan Gallardo September 23, 2023 10:19 am

128 human trafficking victims rescued in Sulu

Frencie Carreon September 21, 2023 8:56 pm

3 ex-Sayyaf members surrender in Sulu

Frencie Carreon September 21, 2023 8:05 pm

Groups urge Filipino youth to remember martial law

Antonio L. Colina IV September 21, 2023 4:29 pm

MINDAVIEWS

UNDERSTANDING OUR HERITAGE (2): The Hindu-Buddist influences in our culture

Greg Hontiveros September 17, 2023 4:21 pm

TAUSUG IN DOHA: Always opt for the Best

Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano September 17, 2023 2:52 pm

KINURISKURIS: San Pedro Cathedral

Keith Bacongco September 17, 2023 2:51 pm
Read more MINDAVIEWS

BUSINESS NEWS

18 homegrown cafés joining Davao Coffee Crawl

Antonio L. Colina IV September 20, 2023 3:12 pm

25 delegates from Mindanao to join international expo in Sabah

Antonio L. Colina IV September 13, 2023 2:00 pm

Senator Villar cites EU’s GSP+ during tuna congress

Bong S. Sarmiento September 7, 2023 5:21 pm

Davao Region’s inflation rate lowest in Mindanao

Antonio L. Colina IV September 5, 2023 9:53 pm

Japanese firm looking for more suppliers of coconut-based food products

Mindanews August 31, 2023 2:35 pm

95 exhibitors to join Davao Agri Trade Expo

Antonio L. Colina IV August 23, 2023 5:48 pm

ARTS & CULTURE

Sarangani writers showcase literary works in Philippine Book Festival

Genory Vanz Alfasain August 27, 2023 4:11 pm

INTERACTIVE MAP | Cagayan de Oro Higalaay Festival 2023

Yas D. Ocampo August 25, 2023 2:00 pm

Davao City Events | Palawud x Holodeck, Budots: The Craze

Mindanews August 19, 2023 10:10 am

Kadayawan Festival 2023 event guide

Yas D. Ocampo August 7, 2023 4:01 pm

The MindaNews Podcast: Aubrey DS and the creative pursuits that drive us

Mindanews July 10, 2023 7:06 pm
eric gancio of yano

The MindaNews Podcast: Davao-based Eric Gancio and the return of Yano

Yas D. Ocampo June 2, 2023 5:15 pm

MindaNews is the news service arm of the Mindanao Institute of Journalism. It is composed of independent, professional journalists who believe and practice people empowerment through media.

23C Saturn St. GSIS Subdivision, Davao City Philippines Tel. No.: 082 297 4360 editor [at] mindanews.com
Facebook Twitter

© MindaNews 2016 -2023 | All Rights Reserved

About Us

Privacy Policy