Limasawa, Southern Leyte
Encyclopedia
Limasawa is a 6th class municipality and an island of the same name in the province of Southern Leyte, Philippines
. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 5,831 inhabitants and according to the 2000 census, it has 1,108 households. It lies south of Leyte, in the Mindanao Sea. The island is about 10 km from north to south.
s.
and perhaps Arabic tradesmen
. In 1225, the Chinese merchant Chau Ju Kuo described the population of Mazaua as friendly and congenial to trade-relations
. On March 28, 1521, the Mazaua's raia Siaiu (as named by Antonio Pigafetta, diarist of Magellan's expedition, and Kolambu, King of Butuan) was visited by Magellan
and his fleet of three ships, passing through en route to the Spice Islands
. The two leaders maintained very amicable relations, becoming casicasi or blood-brothers on Good Friday, 29 March 1521, second day of Magellan's stay at Mazaua.
According to wayward and superficial history, Limasawa and not Mazaua is where the first ever Mass
in the Philippines was celebrated. Thus, Limasawa is famously referred to as "site of the First mass in the Philippines
." Primary and secondary sources point to Mazaua, not Limasawa and not Butuan, as the port where an Easter Sunday mass was held on March 31, 1521. The description of present-day Limasawa does not fit the geologic, geographic, geomorphologic, archaeologic, histriographic categories of Mazaua as described and explained in the eyewitness chronicles of Antonio Pigafetta
, Ginés de Mafra
, Francisco Albo, The Genoese Pilot, Martín de Ayamonte
, as well as the secondhand accounts of Antonio de Brito, Andrés de San Martín
, Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas
, and Maximilianus Transylvanus
. Up to this time, there is still debate on where Mazaua is. See First mass in the Philippines
. Even so, no serious scholar today still thinks Limasawa is the port Mazaua.
The Limasawa story was written by a Jesuit missionary, Fr. Francisco Combés, S.J.
, who had not read a single primary account. His 3-paragraph story of the Mazaua episode does not refer to any kind of mass having been held anywhere in the Visayas or Mindanao. His Limasawa also is not the port where Magellan and his fleet anchored from March 28 to April 4, 1521.
Here is what Combés wrote:
“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 theentrance 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 barbariqan [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 monarchial) 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 of Spanish text by Fr. Miguel A. Bernad. It can be found at the said reference.)
The notion that Limasawa is Mazaua was first suggested by ex-Augustinian priest, Carlo Amoretti
, who had not read what Combés had written about Limasawa. As shown by what he wrote as quoted above, Combés was ignorant of the Mazaua story. He thought the anchorage of Magellan's fleet was Butuan, rather than Mazaua, the real port.
Present-day Limasawa could well be Gatighan
as described by Pigafetta, though this assertion has yet to be proven or disproven. Philippine historian José S. Arcilla, who believes Limasawa is "site of the first mass" as all Jesuit historians in the Philippines do, explicitly asserts that Magellan did not visit Gatighan.
There are compelling reasons why Limasawa could be Gatighan:
1. Limasawa is definitely not Mazaua, therefore it must be something else;
2. In Pigafetta's map Gatighan is northwest of Mazaua. If Mazaua is an island at 9° North, then Gatighan is exactly where Limasawa is today;
3. Gatighan is shown in Pigafetta's map as sandwiched between Bohol and Ceylon (today's Panaon), it is the only land mass between these two places. Limasawa is exactly between these two land masses.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 5,831 inhabitants and according to the 2000 census, it has 1,108 households. It lies south of Leyte, in the Mindanao Sea. The island is about 10 km from north to south.
Barangays
Limasawa is politically subdivided into 6 barangayBarangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
s.
- Cabulihan
- Lugsongan
- Magallanes
- San Agustin (Tawid)
- San Bernardo (Tigib)
- Triana
History
The island, or more precisely, Mazaua, not Limasawa, was first visited by foreigners with the arrival of ChineseChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and perhaps Arabic tradesmen
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
. In 1225, the Chinese merchant Chau Ju Kuo described the population of Mazaua as friendly and congenial to trade-relations
International trade
International trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories. In most countries, such trade represents a significant share of gross domestic product...
. On March 28, 1521, the Mazaua's raia Siaiu (as named by Antonio Pigafetta, diarist of Magellan's expedition, and Kolambu, King of Butuan) was visited by Magellan
Magellan
Magellan may refer to:*Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer who led part of the first expedition around the world*Magellan , a progressive rock band*Magellan , a forerunner of the Excite web portal...
and his fleet of three ships, passing through en route to the Spice Islands
Maluku Islands
The Maluku Islands are an archipelago that is part of Indonesia, and part of the larger Maritime Southeast Asia region. Tectonically they are located on the Halmahera Plate within the Molucca Sea Collision Zone...
. The two leaders maintained very amicable relations, becoming casicasi or blood-brothers on Good Friday, 29 March 1521, second day of Magellan's stay at Mazaua.
According to wayward and superficial history, Limasawa and not Mazaua is where the first ever Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
in the Philippines was celebrated. Thus, Limasawa is famously referred to as "site of the First mass in the Philippines
First mass in the Philippines
The first mass in the Philippines was on Easter Sunday March 31, 1521 in an island named Mazaua by eyewitnesses Antonio Pigafetta, Ginés de Mafra, Francisco Albo, the Genoese pilot, and Martín de Ayamonte, at a location today universally—and mistakenly—believed to be Limasawa, a town...
." Primary and secondary sources point to Mazaua, not Limasawa and not Butuan, as the port where an Easter Sunday mass was held on March 31, 1521. The description of present-day Limasawa does not fit the geologic, geographic, geomorphologic, archaeologic, histriographic categories of Mazaua as described and explained in the eyewitness chronicles of Antonio Pigafetta
Antonio Pigafetta
Antonio Pigafetta was an Italian scholar and explorer from the Republic of Venice. He travelled with the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his crew on their voyage to the Indies. During the expedition, he served as Magellan's assistant and kept an accurate journal which later assisted him...
, Ginés de Mafra
Gines de Mafra
Ginés de Mafra was a Spanish explorer who sailed to the Philippines in the 16th century. De Mafra was a member of the expeditions of Ferdinand Magellan of 1519–1521 and Ruy López de Villalobos of 1542–1545.- Voyage to the Philippine Islands:...
, Francisco Albo, The Genoese Pilot, Martín de Ayamonte
Martín de Ayamonte
Martín de Ayamonte, also called by his Portuguese name Martinho de Aiamonte, was an apprentice seaman in the Armada de Molucca under the command of the Portuguese mariner Ferdinand Magellan....
, as well as the secondhand accounts of Antonio de Brito, Andrés de San Martín
Andrés de San Martín
Andrés de San Martín was the chief pilot-cosmographer of the Armada de Molucca, the fleet commanded by Ferdinand Magellan.His nationality has been variously identified as Portuguese or French...
, Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas
Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas
Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas , Spanish historian, was born at Cuéllar, in the province of Segovia.-Biography:His father, Roderigo de Tordesillas, and his mother, Agnes de Herrera, were both of good family...
, and Maximilianus Transylvanus
Maximilianus Transylvanus
Maximilianus Transylvanus , also Maximilianus of Transylvania and Maximilian von Sevenborgen , was a sixteenth century author based in Flanders who wrote the earliest account published on Magellan and Elcano's first circumnavigation of the world...
. Up to this time, there is still debate on where Mazaua is. See First mass in the Philippines
First mass in the Philippines
The first mass in the Philippines was on Easter Sunday March 31, 1521 in an island named Mazaua by eyewitnesses Antonio Pigafetta, Ginés de Mafra, Francisco Albo, the Genoese pilot, and Martín de Ayamonte, at a location today universally—and mistakenly—believed to be Limasawa, a town...
. Even so, no serious scholar today still thinks Limasawa is the port Mazaua.
The Limasawa story was written by a Jesuit missionary, Fr. Francisco Combés, S.J.
Francisco Combés
Francisco Combés was a Spanish priest who established Christian monasteries in the Philippines in the 17th century.Combés was born in Zaragoza, Spain. At age twelve, he joined the Jesuit order as a novice at Tarragona, the Roman port city of Tarraconense, located near the coast in the Spanish...
, who had not read a single primary account. His 3-paragraph story of the Mazaua episode does not refer to any kind of mass having been held anywhere in the Visayas or Mindanao. His Limasawa also is not the port where Magellan and his fleet anchored from March 28 to April 4, 1521.
Here is what Combés wrote:
“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 theentrance 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 barbariqan [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 monarchial) 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 of Spanish text by Fr. Miguel A. Bernad. It can be found at the said reference.)
The notion that Limasawa is Mazaua was first suggested by ex-Augustinian priest, Carlo Amoretti
Carlo Amoretti
Carlo Amoretti was an ecclesiastic, scholar, writer, and scientist. He was born in Oneglia, now Imperia in the Liguria region, Italy.He entered the Augustinian order in 1757...
, who had not read what Combés had written about Limasawa. As shown by what he wrote as quoted above, Combés was ignorant of the Mazaua story. He thought the anchorage of Magellan's fleet was Butuan, rather than Mazaua, the real port.
Present-day Limasawa could well be Gatighan
Gatighan
The isle of Gatighan was a way station of the Armada de Molucca under Captain-General Ferdinand Magellan on their way to Cebu in Central Philippines...
as described by Pigafetta, though this assertion has yet to be proven or disproven. Philippine historian José S. Arcilla, who believes Limasawa is "site of the first mass" as all Jesuit historians in the Philippines do, explicitly asserts that Magellan did not visit Gatighan.
There are compelling reasons why Limasawa could be Gatighan:
1. Limasawa is definitely not Mazaua, therefore it must be something else;
2. In Pigafetta's map Gatighan is northwest of Mazaua. If Mazaua is an island at 9° North, then Gatighan is exactly where Limasawa is today;
3. Gatighan is shown in Pigafetta's map as sandwiched between Bohol and Ceylon (today's Panaon), it is the only land mass between these two places. Limasawa is exactly between these two land masses.
- The place referred here as the Mazaua or Limasawa could not be the place where Magellan first landed. From the Ladrones it is very obvious that this is not the first land the expedition sited. Also, it is not unusual of natives to name new settled places with the name of their previous place of origin. rltjs.wordpress.com
See also
- Andrés de San MartínAndrés de San MartínAndrés de San Martín was the chief pilot-cosmographer of the Armada de Molucca, the fleet commanded by Ferdinand Magellan.His nationality has been variously identified as Portuguese or French...
- Antonio de Herrera y TordesillasAntonio de Herrera y TordesillasAntonio de Herrera y Tordesillas , Spanish historian, was born at Cuéllar, in the province of Segovia.-Biography:His father, Roderigo de Tordesillas, and his mother, Agnes de Herrera, were both of good family...
- Butuan CityButuan CityThe City of Butuan is the regional center of Caraga, serving as an administrative region of the Philippines; it is a highly urbanized city. It is located at the northeastern part of Agusan Valley, Mindanao, sprawling across the Agusan River. It is bounded to the north, west and south by Agusan del...
- Carlo AmorettiCarlo AmorettiCarlo Amoretti was an ecclesiastic, scholar, writer, and scientist. He was born in Oneglia, now Imperia in the Liguria region, Italy.He entered the Augustinian order in 1757...
- DimasauaDimasauaDimasaua, also spelled Dimasawa and Dimasava, was the invented name created by 17th century Spanish missionary Fr. Francisco Colín, S.J., pointing to a tiny isle in southern Leyte whose chief, according to Colín, "gave the most signal service" to Ferdinand Magellan and his crew at the port of...
- Fr. Francisco Combés, S.J.
- GatighanGatighanThe isle of Gatighan was a way station of the Armada de Molucca under Captain-General Ferdinand Magellan on their way to Cebu in Central Philippines...
- Ginés de MafraGines de MafraGinés de Mafra was a Spanish explorer who sailed to the Philippines in the 16th century. De Mafra was a member of the expeditions of Ferdinand Magellan of 1519–1521 and Ruy López de Villalobos of 1542–1545.- Voyage to the Philippine Islands:...
- Jacques N. Bellin
- Limasawa mass
- Martín de AyamonteMartín de AyamonteMartín de Ayamonte, also called by his Portuguese name Martinho de Aiamonte, was an apprentice seaman in the Armada de Molucca under the command of the Portuguese mariner Ferdinand Magellan....
- Mazaua
- Ruy López de VillalobosRuy López de VillalobosRuy López de Villalobos was a Spanish explorer who sailed the Pacific from Mexico to establish a permanent foothold for Spain in the East Indies, which was near the Line of Demarcation between Spain and Portugal according to the Treaty of Saragossa in 1529...