First Mass in the Philippines (1521) PDF

FIRST MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES Date: March 31, 1521 (Easter Sunday) Location: Limasawa Island, Leyte (previously known as Mazaua) Father Pedro de Valderrama (from Ferdinand Magellan's expedition) Significant Events: 1. First Blood Compact: o Between Magellan and Ra...

FIRST MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES Date: March 31, 1521 (Easter Sunday) Location: Limasawa Island, Leyte (previously known as Mazaua) Father Pedro de Valderrama (from Ferdinand Magellan's expedition) Significant Events: 1. First Blood Compact: o Between Magellan and Rajah Kolambu – first blood compact between Spaniards and filipino 2. First Catholic Mass: o Held on Limasawa Island, marking the start of Christianity in the Philippines. Controversy: Some claims suggest the mass happened in Butuan City or Agusan del Norte, but since 1921, the Philippine government officially recognizes Limasawa Island as the location. Historical Importance: This event marks the beginning of Catholicism in the country and a major point in Philippine Christian history. FRANCISCO ALBO’S LOGBOOK Francisco Albo, a Greek sailor in the 16th century. ✓ Pilot of Magellan’s ship, Trinidad. ✓ One of the 18 Spanish survivors who returned on the ship Victoria after Magellan's expedition. Important Events: ✓ March 16, 1521: Albo’s crew saw land to the northwest but didn’t approach due to shallow waters. The island was later known as Yunagan. ✓ Anchorage at Suluan: They sailed southwards and anchored at a small island named Suluan. They saw canoes there, but the locals didn’t approach them. ✓ Uninhabited Island (Gada): After leaving Suluan, they went to an uninhabited island called Gada to gather wood and water. ✓ Sailing towards Seilani (Leyte): The crew sailed westward towards a large island called Seilani, which was known for gold (referred to as Leyte by Pigafetta). ✓ Arrival at Mazava (Limasawa): They sailed southward along the coast of Seilani and then turned southwest to a small island called Mazava (Limasawa). This island was located at 9 and two-thirds degrees North latitude. Significant Occurrences: ✓ On Mazava, the Spaniards planted a cross on a mountain-top. ✓ The locals of Mazava were very welcoming, and they showed the Spaniards three nearby islands where gold was gathered in small pieces like peas and lentils. ✓ Seilani (Leyte) – known for gold. ✓ Mazava (Limasawa) – where the Spaniards planted a cross and learned about nearby islands rich in gold. PIGAFETTA'S TESTIMONY ON THE ROUTE OF MAGELLAN'S EXPEDITION March 16, 1521 (Saturday): Magellan’s crew spotted a “high land” known as Zamal (now Samar) after traveling 300 leagues west of the Ladrones (Marianas Islands). March 17, 1521 (Sunday): They landed on an uninhabited island called Humunu (now Homonhon), located south of Zamal. Magellan named the islands the “Islands of Saint Lazarus” as it was a Sunday during Lent, related to the gospel of Lazarus being raised from the dead. March 18, 1521 (Monday): The crew encountered nine locals who promised to bring food supplies in four days after a gift-giving ceremony. March 22, 1521 (Friday): The locals returned with supplies, traveling in two boats. March 17-25, 1521: Magellan’s expedition stayed on Homonhon for eight days. Magellan named it the “Watering Place of Good Omen” due to its springs and signs of gold. After leaving Homonhon, the expedition sailed west-southwest, passing between four islands: Cenalo (likely Leyte), Hiunanghan (likely Hinunangan), Ibusson (likely Hibuson), and Albarien. March 28, 1521 (Thursday): They anchored off Mazaua (Limasawa), where they saw a light the previous night. It was located at 9 and two-thirds degrees North latitude and 162 degrees longitude. Seven Days on Mazaua: The expedition stayed on Mazaua Island for seven days. April 4, 1521 (Thursday): They departed Mazaua, heading for Cebu, guided by the king of Mazaua who sailed alongside them in his own boat. The route passed five islands: 1. Ceylon (Leyte) 2. Bohol 3. Canighan  4. Baibai 5. Gatighan Gatighan Stop: After passing Gatighan, they sailed westward to the Camotes Islands: 1. Poro 2. Pasihan 3. Ponson The Spanish ships waited for the king of Mazaua to catch up, as their ships were faster than the native balanghai boats. South to Cebu: From the Camotes Islands, they continued sailing southward towards Zubu (Cebu). April 7, 1521 (Sunday): By noon, they arrived at the harbor of Zubu (Cebu), completing the three-day journey from Mazaua to Cebu via the Camotes Islands. Pigafetta's Testimony: Seven Days in Mazaua 1. Thursday, March 28 (Holy Thursday): o The expedition anchored near an island after seeing a light the previous night. o Eight natives arrived in a small boat (boloto), and Magellan gave them trinkets. They paddled away but returned two hours later with two larger boats (balanghai), including the native king under an awning of mats. o Some natives boarded the Spanish ship, but the king stayed in his boat. An exchange of gifts followed. Later, the Spanish ships moved closer to the village and anchored. 2. Friday, March 29 (Holy Friday): o Magellan sent his slave interpreter ashore to ask the native king for food supplies and express that they came as friends. o The king himself visited Magellan's ship, and they embraced, exchanging more gifts. o Two members of the expedition, including Pigafetta, were invited to stay with the king overnight. 3. Saturday, March 30: o Pigafetta and his companion spent the night feasting with the king and his son. o Despite it being Good Friday, they ate meat, which Pigafetta noted as unfortunate.  o The following morning, they returned to the ships. 4. Sunday, March 31 (Easter Sunday): o Magellan sent a priest ashore early in the morning to prepare for Mass. o Mass was celebrated with around fifty men present, followed by the veneration of a cross. o Later in the afternoon, they planted a cross on the highest hill, with the kings of Mazaua and Butuan in attendance. 5. Sunday, March 31 (Same Afternoon): o While on the hill, Magellan asked the kings where he could find more food supplies. o They suggested three ports: Ceylon, Zubu, and Calagan, with Zubu being the busiest trading port. o Magellan decided to head to Zubu the next day and requested a guide. The kings agreed to provide pilots, but later that evening, the king of Mazaua offered to guide Magellan himself after completing the harvest. 6. Monday, April 1: o Magellan sent men ashore to help with the harvest, but no work was done because the two kings were sleeping after a drinking bout. 7. Tuesday, April 2, and Wednesday, April 3: o The harvest work resumed and continued for two days. 8. Thursday, April 4: o The expedition departed from Mazaua, bound for Cebu (Zubu).  THE CAVITE MUTINY It describes the uprising of filipino troops and workers at the cavite arsenal due to the removal of the privileges. 1. TRIBUTE (8 REALES PER YEAR / GOLD / CHICKEN / RICE) | 16-60 YEARS OLD 2. FORCED LABOR (POLO Y SERVICIO) | 40 DAYS A YEAR January 20, 1872 - Around 200 locally recruited troops and laborers joined. February 17, 1872- crusade of the three martyred priest. (garote) (Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, Jacinto Zamora. Spanish Accounts of the Cavite Mutiny Governor General, Rafael Izquierdo Y Gutierrez- The mutiny was fueled by native clergy, mestizos, and lawyers who were upset about government injustices like not being paid for tobacco crops and forced labor. In the end, the rebels planned to put a priest in charge, choosing either Jose Burgos or Jacinto Zamora as their leader. Jose Montero Y Vidal- The event was seen as an attempt by the Filipinos to overthrow Spanish rule in the Philippines, with Gov. Gen. Rafael Izquierdo's report exaggerating the situation and blaming the native clergy, who were advocating for secularization. The report and other accounts supported each other, though Izquierdo's was more hostile. Key reasons for the "revolution" included the abolition of privileges for Cavite arsenal workers, such as non-payment of tributes and forced labor exemptions. Other factors included; Anti-Spanish propaganda from the press, the influence of liberal literature, and the support of the native clergy, motivated by their resentment towards Spanish friars. Sargent Francisco Lamadrid- According to the accounts of the two, on January 20, 1872, during the feast of the Virgin of Loreto in Sampaloc, people celebrated with fireworks. In Cavite, some thought the fireworks meant it was time to attack. Following a plan, a group of 200 men led by Sergeant Lamadrid attacked Spanish officers and took over the arsenal. FILIPINO ACCOUNTS OF THE MUTINY Dr. Trinidad Hermenegildo/ Pardo De Tavera- The incident was a mutiny by dissatisfied Filipino soldiers and laborers at the Cavite arsenal, reacting to the loss of their privileges. Gov. Izquierdo's harsh policies, including the removal of these privileges and banning a school for arts and trades, were viewed as efforts to suppress potential political organization among Filipinos. The friars, afraid of losing their power in the Philippines, claimed the mutiny was part of a bigger plot to overthrow Spanish rule. Tavera pointed out that the Madrid government believed them without checking the facts. Educated men involved in  the mutiny got life sentences, while the native clergy, including GOMBURZA, were executed. This event helped spark nationalism and eventually led to the Philippine Revolution of 1896. Edmund Plauchut A french writer complemented tavera’s account and analyzed the motivation of the 1872 cavite mutiny The event was rooted in dissatisfaction among the workers and soldiers at the Cavite fort, seen as a simple mutiny. At that time, Filipinos were not seeking separation from Spain but wanted better resources and education. Meanwhile, the central government limited the friars' power in civil and educational matters, which made the friars fear for their influence. They exaggerated the mutiny, reporting it to the Spanish government as a widespread conspiracy to overthrow Spanish rule.