Instruction: Give a concise explanation/discussion on the following items.
1. How do you understand the text? What is it all about?
The text comes from the portion of Antonio Pigafetta’s writings in his book entitled First
Voyage around the world. In there, he described the islands they’d landed, and the
encounter of the captain-general and the Kings in those islands and on how their
friendships grow. He also described the foods and the way of living of the people in the
island. And of course, the text served as a credible material that explains the issue as to
where the first Christian mass really happened, but there is a confusion as to where the
first mass really happened because it is not clearly stated in his writings.
2. What is your stand about the site of the First Mass?
I’m also confused on where did the first mass happened because he did not clearly state
it in his book on what island they held the mass. But I think the first mass happened in
Limasawa (Southern Leyte). Pigafetta stated in there that they are in Butuan with the
other King but he did not confirm that they held the mass in there. Also, they left Butuan
on the day of the mass because he stated on his writings that they landed on the shore
with their boat, without their body armor and they are dressed in their best clothes.
3. Cite evidences which would suggest that the First Mass happened in Masau (Butuan)
and Limasawa (Southern Leyte).
The evidence which would suggest that the first mass happened in Masau (Butuan):
Pigafetta mentioned that the island of the King is called Butuan and Calagan and they
were in those islands the day before the mass. On the other hand, the evidence that the
first mass happened in Limasawa (Southern Leyte) would be the mention of, “When the
hour for Mass arrived, we landed with about fifty men, without our body armor, but
carrying our other arms, and dressed in our best clothes. Before we reached the shore
with our boat, six pieces were discharged as a sign of peace.” This means that they left
Butuan and continue their course to another island. Although they did not mention the
name of the island, yet they are not in Butuan.
4. How credible is this account in explaining the site of the First mass?
First of all, this account is written by Antonio Pigafetta, an author and also a cartographer.
He is credible enough to document their whole expedition around the world. He clearly
described and identified the islands where they boat landed. Even though, it created a lot
of confusion and commotion, since historians have different interpretations, it’s the only
historical evidence on when and where the First Mass in the Philippines really happened.
5. How do the evidences presented in the text help you understand the controversy on
the First Catholic Mass in the Philippines?
The presented evidences in the text help me understand the controversy on the First
Catholic Mass in the Philippines since there is really a controversy regarding in the
writings of Pigafetta. It created a confusion since in the first statement it mentioned they
were in Butuan, but then the next statement stirred the evidences and made us unsure
on the place where the First Mass was held.