the CHAMP

MAGELLAN DISCOVERED SAMAR

On March 17 (dawn of 16th as chronicled by Pigafetta), 1521, some three hundred leagues from the Islas Ladrones (Mariana Islands) at 11 degrees latitude North, at the southern coast they sighted Samar. To the southeast was located the island of Humunhon which Pigafetta called ‘Humunu’ and Francisco Albo called it in his diary, ‘Yunagan’, meaning Unahan.

———————————————————— —–
Unahan aplicado a la isla, significa en legua de Samar: la que se halla delante de las demas
———————————————————— —–

It was the first to be discovered in the Philippine archipelago which was named San Lazaro (for on that day the Gospel spoke of the raising of Lazarus from the dead). The island was located near Giwan and Suluan.

On that day, Magellan ordered to set-up two tents and to transfer the sick individuals.

Two days after, (March 19), they saw a canoe manned by nine men. As they came closer, the captain commanded that no one move or speak without permission.

Immediately as they had jumped on land, the leader of them came to Magellan to welcome him: four of them kept watch over their vessel while the others went to their island to call other people. The captain was well pleased with the character of the natives, and ordered that they be given something to eat, drink and various gifts.

In order to return the captain’s courtesy, the natives offered him a large fish, a jar of ‘tuba’, a cluster of bananas and other fruits. They manifested by signs that they lack for something better; but that they would return wit greater provisions.

They also took the captain to their canoes, to show him their goods which consisted of cinnamon, pepper, ginger, nut moscada, macia and gold, jewelry. The captain, on the other hand, invited them to ascend to their ship. He ordered to shoot a canon which caused so much fear to the natives. But they were made calmed. When they made signs to leave, they were given permission and assured that they would return and thus keep their promise.

Humunhon island was blessed with two rich springs of clear water which would be needed for the continued expedition. It was named: “Acquada da li buoni segnialli” (watering-place of good signs).

On the 22nd of March, the natives came closer, in two canoes loaded with coconuts and sweet oranges, carrying a cane-bamboo with ‘tuba’ and a rooster as a sign of friendship.

Their leader (who was a dato) was an elderly, rather naked and tattooed individual. He had two dangling gold earrings and a lot of precious jewelry on the arms and a cloth kerchief (‘pudong’) around the head.

The Spaniards remained on the island until Palm Sunday which was the eight day and left on the next day, March 25th (Monday of Holy Week).

‘FIRST MASS’ in Humunhon Island, Giwan, Samar

Where the first mass when Magellan discovered the Philippines took place was a source of debate by many contemporary writers. For some contended that it was offered in Samar, others in Masawa (Limasawa) of Leyte, while others still assert that it was in Butuan or Cebu.

However, it was customary to offer the Holy Sacrifice daily in those days. It would be well to note that there were two priests who set out on the Magellan Voyage. They were Pedro de Valderrama and Bernard Calmette, whom Magellan punished for joining the mutiny aboard ship and marooned him along with another crew members on the shores of Patagonia.

Since no explicit mention was made by the chronicler that mass was celebrated, it does not mean that there was not. That no mention of the Mass or other public acts of worship was made in historical writing does not imply absence of the ritual or worship or denial of its celebration.
Hence, the unrecorded, non-chronicled ‘first masses’ were done in Humunhon island, Giwan, Samar.

Also, it was safe to say that the ‘first Easter Mass’ to be recorded happened in Masawa (Limasawa) in Leyte. Regarding Butuan, Magellan never sailed there in 1521.

ISLAND OF HUMUNHON UNINHABITED

In his Historia 1668, Father Ignacio Francisco Alzina wrote that that the god of the Bisayans had his dwelling on the island of Humunhon. He learned this from the elderly Samareños in early 1636 at Giwan, Samar.

Called ‘Isla Encantada’ by the Spaniards, people from nearby places would offer rites and rituals to the Diwata so that he would grant them good health, prosperous harvest, etc. This diwata was Makapatag, the son of Malaon, who lived on the island and was considered the greatest of the Diwatas.

It was believed that he was the owner of the island, that’s why, if one would take anything from there should ask his permission before hand because if not, anything that was taken would not be useful. For example, if somebody fetched water, which was sweet and potable would turn salty like that of seawater. If somebody would take dry firewood, it would turn green and damp. But upon requesting permission, whatever one would take from there would prove useful.

There were also instances that when they were sailing toward the island, they were able to see houses and people but upon arriving there they were unable to find anything. Because of this, very few have the courage to visit or spend a night there. They said that without anyone noticing it, the boats are found unmoored and at times underwater. The Bisayans called this ‘sinapit’ or for unknown reasons, they attribute this to the Diwata and his displeasure for their stay on the island.

When the first Jesuits arrived to these towns, there was a plague with a high mortality on this entire coast as far as Catarman,. The Bisayans attributed this to Makapatag. They said that he had gone around the coastlines and infected the atmosphere. In order to obtain health, they offered ‘paganitos’ (sacrifice) to him.