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NHCP in RPH

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Sarah Mae Areglado
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16 views

NHCP in RPH

Uploaded by

Sarah Mae Areglado
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INTRODUCTION

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has resolved a long-standing debate
regarding the location of the First Easter Sunday Mass, celebrated by Fr. Pedro Valderama during the
Magellan-Elcano expedition on March 31, 1521. After decades of contention, the NHCP affirmed that this
historic event took place on Limasawa Island in Southern Leyte, thereby concluding a dispute that has
divided historians, scholars, and local communities for generations.

BODY

The controversy surrounding the site of the First Easter Sunday Mass can be traced back to the late 19th
and early 20th centuries, when historical interpretations shifted from the traditionally accepted location
of Butuan in Agusan del Norte to Limasawa. The initial resolution came via the National Historical
Institute (NHI), which held panels of experts in 1995 and 2008, both concluding that Limasawa was the
site in question. However, new primary sources and evidence prompted the NHCP to reconsider the
findings in 2018, as requested by various institutions including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP).

Under the guidance of Dr. Resil Mojares, the NHCP created a new panel of esteemed historians, tasked
with reassessing past studies and examining testimonies and research that had emerged since the earlier
rulings. Their investigation involved analyzing the accounts of Venetian scholar Antonio Pigafetta and
conducting surveys of the sites in question.

The findings presented by the Mojares panel reaffirmed Limasawa as the location of the First Easter
Sunday Mass. They evaluated conflicting traditions, noting that earlier endorsements of Butuan were
based on a series of misinterpretations and evolving narratives over the decades. In their final report,
the panel recommended the NHCP officially declare Limasawa as the historic site, while encouraging
Butuan advocates to explore and promote their city’s own rich cultural heritage as a pre-colonial trading
center.

CONCLUSION

The NHCP's decision marks a significant resolution to a complex historical dispute that reflects the
evolving nature of historical scholarship. By officially recognizing Limasawa as the site of the First Easter
Sunday Mass, the NHCP not only clarifies an important aspect of Philippine history but also
acknowledges the necessity of rigorous inquiry and ongoing debate in the field of historical studies.
Simultaneously, the commission's encouragement for Butuan to delve into its own historical significance
fosters a broader understanding of the country's rich and diverse cultural heritage. The resolution
signifies a step toward unity in the recognition of both Limasawa's and Butuan's unique contributions to
Philippine history.

REFERENCE

‘First Easter Sunday mass was held in Limasawa’ --- Nat’l Historical Commission. (2020, August 20).
Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/20/first-easter-sunday-mass-was-held-in-limasawa-natl-
historical-commission/

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