LIMASAWA, Southern Leyte  - It has been 488 years since the Spaniards celebrated the first Christian Mass on Philippine soil, and even in Asia, on March 31, 1521.

The Mass was held just a few weeks after Ferdinand Magellan docked in what is believed to be Limasawa Island, as he led three ships toward the Spice Islands.

This year, residents of Limasawa celebrated the 488th anniversary of the First Mass with the theme “Truly Limasawa," which highlighted the quintessential Filipino quality of warm hospitality to foreigners.

The island had been open to foreign trade even prior to the Spanish landing and was described by a Chinese merchant as being "friendly" and "congenial" to trade.

Although there is still much debate on whether Limasawa Island is indeed the island chronicled by Antonio Pigafetta in 1521 as the site for Magellan and his fleet's month-long detour, the First Mass is still traditionally celebrated at the place.

For this year, an anniversary Mass was held by Bishop Precioso Cantillas at the Shrine Chapel. This was immediately followed by the Sinugdan (which means "beginning") festival where dancers re-enact the celebration of First Mass. Food festivals such as the "Nokos" (squid) and "Kolo" (breadfruit) festivals were also held to entertain locals and visitors.

A local product fair, such as the agri-aqua and culinary fair, was also held where Limasawa products like squid and various types of fish were sold to tourists.

Pilgrims and tourists also flocked to the national shrine area to visit the statue of Magellan and Rajah Kulambo, as well as a holy cross erected by Magellan's fleet.

The provincial tourism office of Southern Leyte also prepared a series of aquatic activities like sailboat racing, nine-man boat paddling, and bancarera marathons at the start of April.-- with a report from RANULFO DOCDOCAN, ABS-CBN Tacloban