When Ferdinand Magellan and his European crew sailed from Sanlúcar de Barrameda for an expedition to search for spices, these explorers landed on the Philippines after their voyage from other proximate areas. It is further strengthened by the evidence that it was only after 22 years, in 1543-when a Spanish expedition led by Ruy López de Villalobos landed in Mindanao.
To end the conflict for the issue about the first mass, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) panel adapted the recommendation and unanimously agreed that the evidence and arguments presented by the pro-Butuan advocates are not sufficient and convincing enough to warrant the repeal or reversal of the ruling on the case by the National Historical Institute (the NHCP's forerunner). This belief is maintained by some, who assert that the first mass was instead held at Masao, Butuan. Today, this site is widely believed by many historians and the government to be Limasawa off the tip of Southern Leyte, However, until at least the 19th century, the prevailing belief was that the first mass was held in Butuan. It was conducted by Father Pedro de Valderrama of Ferdinand Magellan's expedition along the shores of what was referred to in the journals of Antonio Pigafetta as 'Mazaua'.
The first documented Catholic Mass in the Philippines was held on March 31, 1521, Easter Sunday. Mazaua (present-day Limasawa, Southern Leyte)
