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Butuan or Limasawa?: The Site of The First Mass in The Philippines

The document examines the evidence for whether the first mass in the Philippines took place in Butuan or Limasawa. It outlines that Butuan was a historic trading kingdom known for gold mining and metallurgy. It also discusses the Butuan tradition that the first mass was celebrated in Butuan on April 8, 1521 when Magellan landed there. However, 17th century Jesuit historians Colin and Combes provided accounts that differed on whether Magellan visited Butuan or Limasawa first.

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Gail Tejada
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2K views11 pages

Butuan or Limasawa?: The Site of The First Mass in The Philippines

The document examines the evidence for whether the first mass in the Philippines took place in Butuan or Limasawa. It outlines that Butuan was a historic trading kingdom known for gold mining and metallurgy. It also discusses the Butuan tradition that the first mass was celebrated in Butuan on April 8, 1521 when Magellan landed there. However, 17th century Jesuit historians Colin and Combes provided accounts that differed on whether Magellan visited Butuan or Limasawa first.

Uploaded by

Gail Tejada
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BUTUAN OR LIMASAWA?

THE SITE OF THE FIRST MASS


IN THE PHILIPPINES
A Reexamination of the Evidence
By Miguel A. Bernad
BUTUAN
- Before its colonization, it was known as the
Rajahnate of Butuan, an Indianized kingdom known
for its metallurgic industry and sophisticated naval
technology.

- The Rajahnate of Butuan or Kingdom of Butuan


(Filipino: Kaharian ng Butuan, Cebuano: Gingharian
sa Butuan) was an ancient Indic polity centered on
the present Mindanao island city of Butuan in what
is now the southern Philippines.
- It was known for its mining of gold, its gold products
and its extensive trade network across the Nusantara
area. The kingdom had trading relationships with the
ancient civilizations of Japan, China, India, Indonesia,
Persia, Cambodia and areas now comprised in
Thailand.

- The balangay (large outrigger boats) that have been found


along the east and west banks of the Libertad river (old
Agusan River) have revealed much about Butuan's history.

- As a result, Butuan is considered to have been a major


trading port in the Caraga region during the pre-colonial era.
Rajahnate of Butuan

Golden Tara Gold Ceremonial Belt


Balangay
BUTUAN TRADITION
- Butuan claim rests upon a tradition that was almost
unanimous and unbroken for three centuries, namely the
17th, the 18th and the 19th. On the strength of that tradition
and embodying it, a monument was erected in 1872 near the
mouth of the Agusan River at a spot that was then within
the municipal boundaries of Butuan, which today belongs to
the separate municipality of magellanes, named after
Ferdinand Magellan.

- First mass was on the 8th of April 1521.

- Celebration of the first mass took place when Magellan landed at Butuan

- Butuan Tradition was accepted by two Jesuit historians who were Father
Francisco Colin S.J. (1592-1660) and Father Pablo Pastells S.J. (Madrid, 1903).
- On Easter day, in the territory of Butuan, the first mass ever offered in these
parts was celebrated and a cross planted.

First mass was on the 8th


of April 1521

Butuan Festival
17 TH CENTURY

(COLIN AND COMBES


COMPARED)
Father Francisco Colin S.J.

- Lived and worked as a missionary in the Philippines

- Published the book entitled Labor Evangelista in


Madird, 1663

- After his death, his work was reissued by Father


Pablo
Pastells S.J. in a magnificent 3 volume edition

- Talked about Magellan’s arrival and the first mass


Father Francisco Combes S.J.

- Lived and worked as a Missionary in the Philippines

- His work Historia de Mindanao y Jolo was printed


in
Madrid, 1996

- After his death, his work also reissued 230 years by


Wencaslao Retana assisted by Father Pastells
Comparisons

- Both picture Magellan visiting both Butuan and


Limasawa

- Colin’s account: Magellan went first to Butuan,


then to limasawa, then Cebu

- Combes’ account: Magellan visited Limasawa first,


from there he goes to Butuan; then he returns to
Limasawa and thence to Cebu

- Both agreed that it was from Limasawa and with


the help of Limasawa’s chieftain that the Magellan
expedition went to cebu

- Both exercised a strong influence over subsequent


writers

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