House OKs 'First Mass Day' holiday in Southern Leyte

The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a proposal to declare March 31 as a special non-working holiday in the province of Southern Leyte.

This, in honor of the first Mass held in the Philippine archipelago almost 500 years ago.

Under House Bill 5060, principally authored by Deputy Majority Leader and Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, March 31 is to be declared as the "First Mass Day" to commemorate the first mass held in Limasawa Island in the province.

“The approval of the bill is a confirmation that the State should recognize the significance of March 31 as an important date for its religious belief, considering that the first Mass of the Christian faith was held on March 31, 1521 at Limasawa Island in Southern Lyte,” said Mercado.

He added that the mass was the first religious ceremony of the Catholic faith in the country.

Historical accounts show that the first Catholic Mass in the country, officiated by Father Pedro de Valderrama, was held on March 31, 1521 at the Limasawa Island in Southern Leyte.

Co-authors of the bill include Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo, YACAP party-list Rep. Benhur Lopez, Cebu City Rep. Raul Del Mar, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr., and Pangasinan Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas. —KG, GMA News