Mindanao is a large island (larger than many countries) in the Philippine archipelago. Its rugged geography made intercommunication difficult. Apart from the Muslim population in central and southern Mindanao, the population of the rest of the island was made up of many tribal communities, each with its own language and customs. The exploration and evangelisation of this island involved courage, perseverance, and ingenuity on the part of missionaries and explorers, and this collection of essays afford but a glimpse of the true dimensions of the task. The essays themselves deal with the controversy about the site of the first Mass; beginnings of evangelisation; construction of the first church; the exploration of the largest river system of the island; the early attempts to climb the highest mountain; and Rizal's four-year stay in Dapitan.