FINAL COURSEWORK COMPILATION

Controversies and
Conflicting Views in
Philippine History
 AUTHOR BACKGROUND IMPORTANT DATES SYNOPSIS
OF THE AND FIGURES
AUTHOR
Francisco Albo Francisco Albo On March 16, Albo’s log presents
was a Spanish 1521, Magellan’s a step-by-step
navigator of expedition sighted navigatnal record:
Greek origin who land (Samar); on from Ladrones to
served as pilot in March 28, they Suluan to
Ferdinand reached the island Homonhon to
Magellan’s of Mazava Seilani (Leyte) and
expedition (Limasawa) where to Mazava
(1519–1522). His they planted a (Limasawa). He
Log provided cross on a noted that the
navigational and mountain and later Spaniards planted
geographic data proceeded to Cebu a cross on Mazava
on the fleet’s on April 7, 1521. and that the
journey to the The First Catholic island’s latitude
Philippines. Mass was was 9⅔° North,
celebrated on consistent with
March 31, 1521. Limasawa’s
location. His
account offers
technical
confirmation that
the First Catholic
Mass took place on
Mazava, the island
officially recognized
today as Limasawa
through RA 2733
(1960).
Antonio Antonio Pigafetta Pigafetta’s journal Pigafetta’s detailed
Pigafetta was an Italian notes the arrival at account describes
scholar, writer, Homonhon (March how the Spaniards
and chronicler 17–25, 1521), first saw Mazaua,
who joined departure for exchanged gifts
Magellan’s Mazaua (March with its ruler, and
circumnavigation 28), and the later held the first
voyage. His celebration of the Mass on Easter
Primo Viaggio First Catholic Mass Sunday, March 31,
Intorno al Mondo on March 31, 1521 1521. He vividly
recorded (Easter Sunday). recounts how the
detailed The Mass was cross was
descriptions of officiated by Fr. venerated and later
places, events, Pedro de planted on a hill
and people Valderrama and overlooking the
during the attended by Rajah island. His
expedition Kolambu of testimony confirms
Mazaua and Rajah the sequence of
Siagu of Butuan. events and
locations from
Homonhon to
Mazaua to Cebu,
reinforcing
Limasawa as the
setting of the first
Catholic Mass.
eAnalysis Questions:
1. What are the issues concerning the documentation of the First Catholic
Mass in the Philippines?
• The primary issue is the identification of the island “Mazaua” where the
first Mass took place. Although both Francisco Albo and Antonio
Pigafetta documented the event, early historians disputed whether
Mazaua referred to Limasawa (Southern Leyte) or Butuan (Agusan del
Norte). Albo’s navigational coordinates (9⅔° N) and Pigafetta’s travel
sequence both align geographically with Limasawa, not Butuan. The
confusion persisted until Republic Act No. 2733 (1960) officially
declared Limasawa as the site of the First Catholic Mass, based on the
evidence of both accounts.
2. Which argument, the Limasawa or The Butuan, is more convincing? Justify
• The Limasawa argument is more convincing because both Albo’s
navigational log and Pigafetta’s detailed narrative consistently identify
Mazaua as an island south of Leyte at approximately 9⅔° North
latitude—the exact coordinates of Limasawa. Pigafetta’s chronological
account (from Homonhon to Mazaua to Cebu) matches Albo’s
navigational data perfectly. Butuan, being north of Leyte and inland,
does not fit this route or description. Therefore, the Limasawa location
is historically, geographically, and legally supported as the true site of
the First Catholic Mass.
3. What is the significance of the First Catholic Mass in the History of the
Philippines as a Bastion of the Catholic Faith in the modern era?
• The First Catholic Mass in Limasawa marks the introduction of
Christianity to the Philippine Islands. It represents the beginning of a
profound cultural and spiritual transformation that would shape Filipino
identity for centuries. Today, it stands as a symbol of faith, unity, and
heritage, with Catholicism remaining central to Philippine life. The event
also embodies the country’s historical link to global Christianity, making
the Philippines the largest Catholic nation in Asia.
 COURSEWORK #2: What Happened in the Cavite Mutiny?

Source Background Important Dates Argument/s

Information and Figures
Excerpts from José Montero y The Cavite Montero y Vidal
Jose Montero y Vidal was a Mutiny occurred described the
Vidal Spanish historian on January 20, mutiny as a
and writer known 1872, at the planned
for his works Cavite Arsenal. It revolution by
defending was led by Sgt. La Filipino soldiers
Spanish colonial Madrid, involving and priests to
policies in the Filipino soldiers gain
Philippines. He and workers. independence
represented the from Spain. He
conservative blamed Filipino
Spanish view of leaders and the
events during the Gomburza
late 19th century. priests for
inspiring
rebellion.
Excerpts from Governor After the mutiny Izquierdo
the Official Izquierdo Rafael on January 20, claimed the
Report of Izquierdo was the 1872, Izquierdo event was a wide
Governor Spanish ordered the conspiracy
Izquierdo Governor-General execution of involving native
of the Philippines Gomburza on priests, lawyers,
from 1871 to February 17, and soldiers who
1873. He directly 1872, at wanted to
handled the Bagumbayan. overthrow Spain.
suppression of His harsh report
the Cavite Mutiny. justified the
 executions and
mass arrests.

Excerpts from Edmund Plauchut Plauchut argued

Edmund Plauchut was a published his that it was not a
Plauchut’s French writer and version shortly revolution, but a
Account journalist who after the event, small labor revolt
provided an discussing the caused by the
outsider’s false accusations loss of worker
perspective against Filipino privileges. He
sympathetic to priests and the said the Spanish
Filipino injustice that exaggerated the
reformists. His followed. event to silence
account Filipino
countered the reformers.
official Spanish
version.
Dr. Trinidad Dr. Trinidad Writing later in Pardo de Tavera
Hermenegildo Hermenegildo the late 19th agreed with
Pardo de Pardo de Tavera’s century, Tavera Plauchut — the
Tavera’s View was a Filipino reexamined the mutiny was a
scholar, Cavite Mutiny local labor issue,
historian, and and its political not a rebellion.
reformist who implications for He believed
promoted Filipino the rise of Filipino Spain used it as
identity and nationalism an excuse to
enlightenment execute
ideals. Gomburza and
 suppress Filipino
nationalism.

Analysis Questions:
1. Was the 1872 Cavite event a local mutiny or a national revolution?
Support your answer.
• The 1872 Cavite event was mainly a local mutiny, not a national
revolution. It began as a small protest by Filipino workers and soldiers
at the Cavite Arsenal who were angry about the removal of their
privileges, like tax exemptions. However, the Spanish authorities
exaggerated it and portrayed it as a large-scale rebellion to justify
punishing Filipino reformists, including Gomburza. Though local in
cause, it later sparked national awareness that led to the rise of Filipino
nationalism.

2. Aside from knowing the two faces of the Cavite Mutiny, what is the
relevance of this event in the history of the Philippines?
• The Cavite Mutiny is very important because it opened the eyes of
Filipinos to Spanish injustice and inspired the fight for freedom. The
execution of Gomburza became a symbol of courage and sacrifice,
influencing future heroes like José Rizal. This event marked the
beginning of Filipino nationalism and unity, showing that even a small
uprising can ignite a nation’s desire for independence.
COURSEWORK #
Doctor and one of the August 23, 1896 – Stated Valenzuela’s version says the Katipuneros
key members of the that the Cry took place in met at Pugad Lawin on August 23, shouting
Katipunan; close Pugad Lawin. “Long live the Philippines!” after tearing their
associate of Bonifacio. cedulas. His account is one of the most
accepted versions, as it symbolizes the
official start of the Philippine Revolution.
Son of Mariano Alvarez August 24, 1896 – Said the Alvarez believed the Cry occurred on August
(leader of Magdiwang Cry happened in Bahay 24 in Bahay Toro where Bonifacio gathered
faction of Katipunan); Toro, Quezon City. Katipuneros to plan their next move. Shows
an active revolutionary that different areas were involved, proving
the spread of revolutionary spirit beyond just
leader himself.
one location.
One of Bonifacio’s August 26, 1896 – Masangkay stated that the Cry took place on
close friends and a Claimed the Cry occurred August 26, where Bonifacio and the Katipuneros
fellow Katipunero; tore their cedulas to mark the beginning of the
in Balintawak.
revolution. His account stresses the unity and
eyewitness to the
bravery of the revolutionaries and gives an
revolution’s early eyewitness perspective to the event.
stages.
A Spanish officer who August 25, 1896 – He Diaz reported that the uprising happened in
wrote about the recorded that the Cry Balintawak and was a violent start to the
Philippine Revolution took place in Balintawak. rebellion led by Bonifacio and his followers.
from a colonial Provides the Spanish viewpoint of the
revolt, showing how authorities perceived the
perspective.
Katipunan as a threat.
Wife of Andres She was a close witness Gregoria stated that the first cry of revolution
Bonifacio, founder of to Katipunan events. 1896 occurred in Balintawak, where Katipuneros
the Katipunan; known – She mentioned that the tore their cedulas as a sign of defiance
as the “Lakambini ng Cry happened in against Spain. Highlights the courage and
unity of the Katipuneros; emphasizes the
Katipunan.” Balintawak.
participation of women in the revolution.
Analysis Questions:

1. How are the 5 accounts different?

• The five accounts differ mainly in date, place, and perspective. Some
say the Cry happened in Balintawak (Masangkay, Diaz, De Jesús), while
others point to Pugad Lawin (Valenzuela) or Bahay Toro (Alvarez). Each
author also had a different level of involvement — some were
eyewitnesses, others wrote from memory or reports, which caused
variations in details.

2. Among these accounts, whose version is more credible? Justify

• Dr. Pío Valenzuela’s account is the most credible because he was a

direct participant in the events and gave a clear and consistent
account of what happened in Pugad Lawin on August 23, 1896. His
testimony is also supported by later historians and officially recognized
as the most reliable version of the “Cry of Revolution.”

3. In conclusion, are the facts and figures about first cry of revolution
reconcilable?
• Yes, they are reconcilable because all accounts agree on one essential
truth — that the Cry marked the start of the Philippine Revolution.
 Source Background Important Dates Argument/s
Information and Figures
Document found Fr. Manuel The document Fr. Garcia’s
by Fr. Manuel Garcia, a Spanish was found 39 discovery revived
Garcia, C.M. priest, claimed to years after Rizal’s the belief that
1935 have discovered death (1896 → Rizal retracted his
the original copy 1935). anti-Catholic
of Rizal’s views and
Retraction Letter returned to the
in the Church before his
Archdiocesan execution.
archives of However, many
Manila. historians doubt
its authenticity
due to the late
discovery.
Fr. Vicente A Jesuit priest December 29, Balaguer
Balaguer’s who claimed to 1896 – The night asserted that
Statement have personally before Rizal’s Rizal reconciled
witnessed Rizal execution at Fort with the Church,
sign the Santiago. confessing and
Retraction Letter signing the
and receive retraction. His
 confession and testimony was
communion. used by the
Church to
support the claim
of Rizal’s
repentance.

Fr. Pio Pi’s The Superior of Late 1896 – Fr. Pío Pi insisted
Statement the Jesuits in the Around the time that Rizal’s
Philippines during of Rizal’s retraction was
Rizal’s time. He imprisonment genuine, stating
supported that the original
Balaguer’s was sent to the
statement and Archbishop and
preserved copies that copies were
of the supposed kept by the
retraction Jesuits. Critics,
document. however, point to
inconsistencies
in his story.
Eyewitness Accounts from December 29–30, Most
Account of the people who saw 1896 – Rizal’s eyewitnesses did
Last Hours of Rizal before his final 24 hours not see Rizal sign
Rizal death — before execution any document.
including Dr. at Bagumbayan. They described
Trinidad Pardo de him as calm,
Tavera, Luis Taviel brave, and
de Andrade, and faithful to his
some guards. convictions. Their
accounts support
the idea that Rizal
did not retract
and died
steadfast in his
beliefs.
 COURSEWORK #4: The Retraction of Rizal

Analysis Questions:
1. Discuss the analysis presented by Palma and Coates. What were the
arguments on the retraction of Rizal? Do you agree? Explain.
• Rafael Palma believed that Rizal did not retract, saying the supposed
retraction was a fake made by the Church to protect its image. He
argued that Rizal stayed true to his beliefs until death. Austin Coates,
on the other hand, thought Rizal might have retracted, not out of fear,
but because he found peace and forgiveness in his last moments. I
agree more with Palma, because Rizal’s actions and writings show he
was strong in his convictions and willing to die for his country and
principles.

2. How would have the history of the Philippines been written if it were true
that Rizal retracted and that he was not executed as a result, in relation
to the 1896 Philippine Revolution?
• If Rizal had retracted and lived, the Philippine Revolution might have
weakened. Many Filipinos saw him as a hero and martyr, and his death
inspired others to fight for freedom. Without his execution, Rizal might
have been remembered only as a writer or reformist, not as the
national hero who sparked the revolution.