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Assessment #8
Readings in the Philippine History (GEED 10033)
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- Out of the arguments presented by the two sides, write a short essay stating your view on the issue.
After reading the arguments presented by the two sides, I believe that the Site of the First Mass indeed happened in Limasawa on an Eastern Sunday of March 1521 and not in Butuan. Limasawa being the Site of the First Mass is supported by first-hand information or evidence such as Francisco Albo’s Log Book - he is one of the survivors who returned with Elcano, and Pigafetta’s Testimony, and based on this narrative on the route, the geographical description (that on the mountain top, you can see three islands on the west and southwest) best fits the southern end of Limasawa while in Butuan there is no island visible on the southwest but rather in the north. In addition to this, Albo’s Log Book confirmed and proved that Magellan’s Voyage in the Philippines never included Butuan in the route. On the other hand, the evidence stating that Butuan/Masao is the Site of the First Mass showed inconsistency as Jesuit Historian Father Francisco Collin claimed that Magellan went first to Butuan, to Limasawa, then Cebu, but it was contradicted by Father Francisco Combes where he then claimed that Magellan went to Limasawa first, to Butuan, to Cebu, and back to Limasawa. There is stronger and more consistent evidence showing that Limasawa is the Site of the First Mass, but it is also not to be neglected that there are points showing that it is in Butuan. It is important to take note that there are different sides of the story and it is near impossible for anyone from the past to give us a definite answer and so, this controversy is a story that it is not easy to give an ending.
- Are you in favor with the conclusions made by the various committees tasked to discuss
the controversy? Explain your answer.
As much as I also believe that Limasawa is the Site of the First Mass, the committees should also take into consideration the evidences pointing to Butuan, the controversy is about a part of our History and it should not be taken lightly as it is a story of how we came to be in the present. The controversy should be open to further research and debates before giving a concrete and definite answer. There is stronger evidence pointing to Limasawa but the fact that there is existing evidence pointing to Butuan as the Site of the First Mass should mean something and is not to be neglected. Our history is very important and it should be clear and definite, while this controversy on the Site of the First Mass still has loopholes in its information and evidence, it should not be rushed in giving conclusions. Further research on narratives, primary sources and evidence, and such should still happen to give this issue a clear conclusion, this narrative should be left open for discussion and debates.
Assessment #8
Course: Readings in the Philippine History (GEED 10033)
University: Polytechnic University of the Philippines
