Talk:History of the Philippines (1521–1898)
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[edit] Excuse me?
What is this page? It seems to be a cut-and-paste job from something else. 128.214.133.2 (talk) 13:15, 31 January 2008 (UTC)
[edit] The "first mass" in the Philippines was at Mazaua
Not Limasawa. Not Butuan. Not Cebu, as also claimed.
The isle where an Easter mass was celebrated was Mazaua. This is the isle's name that comes from from the various eyewitness accounts of Antonio Pigafetta, Francisco Albo, Ginés de Mafra, The Genoese Pilot, Martín de Ayamonte.
Limasawa is the name invented by Fr. Francisco Combés pointing to an isle that is named Gatighan in Antonio Pigafetta's map and text. Combés wrote a three-paragraph epitome of the Mazaua incident based on three sources, Giovanni Battista Ramusio, Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas, and Fr. Francisco Colín. Herrera wrote the isle where Magellan anchored was Mazagua (phonetically identical or equal to "masawa", a word found only in Butuanon and Tausog (a derivative of Butuanon) and in no other among the over 100 languages of the Philippines. Combés rejected Herrera claiming the port was Butuan. He also rejected the idea of a mass; his source did not narrate a mass on March 31, 1521. He also rejected the name given by Colín for the southern Leyte isle, "Dimasaua" which meant "this isle is not Herrera's 'Mazagua' because the Sunday Easter mass was celebrated as I relate in my story at Butuan." Since Combés's story mentions no mass, he did not have to negate or deny something that did not occur.
Limasawa therefore has no connection, no link, no reference to a mass!
Here is the story of Combes on Limasawa from the translation by Fr. Miguel Bernad, S.J.:
"The first time that the royal standards of the Faith were seen to fly in this island [of Mindanao] was when the Archipelago was first discovered by the Admiral Alonso de Magallanes. He followed a new and difficult route [across the Pacific], entering by the Strait of Siargao, formed by that island and that of Leyte, and landing at the island of Limasaua which is at the entrance of that Strait. Amazed by the novelty and strangeness of the [Spanish] nation and the ships, the barbarians of that island welcomed them and gave them good refreshments.
"While at Limasaua, enjoying rest and good treatment, they heard of the River of Butuan, whose chieftain was more powerful. His reputation attracted our men thither to see for themselves or be disillusioned, their curiosity sharpened by the fact that the place was nearby. The barbarian [chief] lived up to our men's expectations, providing them with the food they needed...Magellan contented himself with having them do reverence to the cross which is erected upon a hillock as a sign to future generations of their alliance...The solemnity with which the cross was erected and the deep piety shown by the Spaniards, and by the natives following the example of the Spaniards, engendered great respect for the cross.
"Not finding in Butuan the facilities required by the ships, they returned to Limasaua to seek further advice in planning their future route. The Prince of Limasaua told them of the three most powerful nations among the Pintados [Visayans], namely those of Caraga, Samar, and Zebu. The nearness of Zebu, the facilities of its port, and the more developed social structure (being more monarchical) aroused everyone's desire to go thither. Thus, guided by the chief of Limasaua, passing between Bool and Leyte and close to the Camotes Islands, they entered the harbor of Cebu by the Mandawe entrance on the 7th of April 1521, having departed from Limasaua on the first day of that month."
Translation by Fr. Miguel Bernad, S.J., "Butuan or Limasawa?" in: Kinaadman, Vol. III, 1981, pages 4-5. --Vicente Calibo de Jesus (talk) 01:21, 2 June 2008 (UTC)
