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Religion is still so much a part of Pinoy culture.
“The local Roman Catholic Church will mark the 494th anniversary of the first Christian mass and the spread of Christianity in the country and in the Far East on March 31 this year,” reports Christina I. Hermoso in Manila Bulletin.
The report noted: “Commemorative rites are traditionally held in Southern Leyte, venue of the Sinugdan (which means beginning) Festival in commemoration of the event, which will be highlighted by a mass, a re-enactment of the first mass, a cultural presentation, street pageants and a sportsfest highlighted by a ‘bancaton’ or boat race.”
The report also recalled that “the first Holy Mass in the country was celebrated on March 31, 1521 in Limasawa Island.” The said mass “was officiated by Spanish friar Pedro de Valderrama, who was part of the group of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s group.”
Photo: A detail of Carlos V. Francisco’s First Mass in the Philippines painting
