GMA graces Limasawa Mass

LIMASAWA, Southern Leyte — President Arroyo attended yesterday the commemoration of the first Christian Mass in the country held in this Visayan island on March 31, 1521, or exactly 481 years to the day.

On board a chopper from Surigao, Mrs. Arroyo arrived at this historic tadpole-shaped island around 9 a.m. yesterday as guest speaker of the Eucharistic celebration of the Roman Catholic Church.

In her message, she talked about the ceremonial holy Mass that was celebrated 481 years ago also on an Easter Sunday.

Mrs. Arroyo, Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon and other visitors coming from Western countries received a warm welcome from residents and local officials led by Rep. Aniceto Saludo Jr., Gov. Rosette Lerias and Limasawa Mayor Albert Esclamado.

Bishop Precioso Cantillas, who officiated the commemorative Mass, raised the symbolic "cup of blood" and told Christian devotees that Jesus Christ’s resurrection was "a victory over sin and death."

In 1998, the National Historical Institute (NHI) ruled on the controversy surrounding the first Philippine Mass, which was the first recorded meeting of Eastern and Western cultures.

"Wherefore, it is the considered view of the panel that, upon a preponderance of evidence culled from primary sources, the first ever Christian Mass on Philippine soil on March 31, 1521 was celebrated in the island of Limasawa, South of Leyte," said the NHI, composed of Supreme Court justices and lawyers led by retired Justice Emilio Gancayco.

In 1994, then President Fidel Ramos approved Republic Act 7822 declaring Limawasa as a tourist zone. And 34 years earlier, Magallanes Village, site of the first Mass, was declared a national shrine.

The long since completed comprehensive tourism master plan was handed over by the DOT to Mayor Esclamado, Gov. Lerias and Rep. Saludo during the previous anniversary celebrations.

The Limasawa Tourism Plan will promote the island and consequently, Southern Leyte as a major tourist destination in the country.

Among the island’s attractions, aside from the shrine and the cross planted atop the 450-step hill overlooking the mouth of Sogod Bay, are dive sites comparable to the best in the world.

Limasawa is blessed with virgin reefs, magnificent dropoffs and walls, and rich marine life –in short, a diver’s dream.