Presented by:

Cancio, Paula Kym D.

Libres, Moira Khelly
 Landing on Philippine shores
Since Magellan and his crew crossed the
International Dateline, there is one day added
to the original dates that Antonio Pigafetta
wrote in his book for the better perspective of
us Filipinos
 March 17, 1521

• Arrival in Zamal (Samar at present)

• This event marked the coming of the first
Spaniards of the Philippines
• Archipelago of St. Lazarus
 March 18, 1521

• Magellan and his men landed at Humunu (now

Homonhon)

March 22, 1521

• The chieftain himself came and greeted the visitors.

• Stayed for 9 days to recover from their exhaustion
 March 28, 1521
• They proceeded to Limasawa ruled by Rajah
Kulambu
 Presented by:
Cancio, Paula Kym D.
Libres, Moira Khelly
 MASS
Definition of mass:
2. Mass is a
1. Practice among celebration of this
Christians people to sacrifice. It is the
honor and worship active participation
their God of all that come
together in the place
of worship.
First Mass in the Philippines
• On March 31, 1521, an Easter Sunday
Magellan ordered a mass to be celebrated
which was officiated by Father Pedro
Valderrama
• The Holy First Mass marked the birth of
Roman Catholicism in the Philippines
• Magellan ordered that a large cross be planted
on the top of hill
Introduction of Christianity
in the Philippines
• One of the major goals of Spaniards was to
colonize the islands and Christianize the pagan
native population.
• Spanish missionaries became the major tools
of the spread of Christianity in the Philippines.
• It is known that today the Philippines is Asia’s
only Christian nation with about 83% of
Catholics and 9% of Evangelical Christians.
Religion in pre-colonial Philippines

There is little evidence remaining of the

nature of religion in pre-colonial Philippines.
The possibilities include animism, Philippine
mythologies such as Anito, and influences
from Hinduism and Buddhism.
Evidences:
• Hindu- Buddhist gold statues
• Laguna Copperplate Inscription
 LIMASAWA

Where was
the first Mass
HOMONHON
in the PANGASINAN
Philippines
held?

BUTUAN
 Bolinao, Pangasinan 1324

In front of the church is a marker stating that the first mass was celebrated in the
Philippines in 1324. After being forced to land due to a stormy weather, Blessed Fr.
Odorico held a thanksgiving mass. He also baptized several locals before returning
home in Italy.
 Homonhon, Easter Samar
• Tomas “Buddy” Gomez 3rd, a one-time press secretary of
President Cory, disagreed with the NHI on naming Limasawa
as the true venue

• He wondered if a Mass was celebrated on Philippine shores before

the 1521 Easter Sunday. He cited records showing that Magellan
stayed in Homonhon (now a part of Samar Island) for eight days,
including March 24 which was Palm Sunday.

• “Is Easter Sunday Mass ever celebrated without being

preceded by Mass on a Palm Sunday,” he asked. He then
argued that the First Mass could actually have been held
not in Limasawa or Masau but in Homonhon.
In 1996, it reaffirmed the popular belief
propelled by Republic Act 2733 that the first
Holy Mass was celebrated in Limasawa Island on
March 31, 1521.The NHI cited the memoirs of
Antonio Pigafetta, who chronicled the
expedition of Ferdinand Magellan, as “the only
credible primary source that yields the best
evidence of the celebration of the first Christian
Mass on Philippine soil.” This issue, however,
remains debatable despite the pronouncement
from the NHI.