Tags: Historical Places, Parks and Recreations
By Anna Valmero
LAPU-LAPU CITY, CEBU— The Mactan Shrine (or Liberty Shrine) is where the the historic battle of Filipino bolos took place in which Lapu-Lapu and his band of band of brave Cebuano warriors overthrew a Spanish fleet led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
For first timers in the area, a sense of pride swells up once you view the majestic bronze statue of Lapu-Lapu, to whom the city is named after.
Lapu-Lapu and his men killed Magellan on April 27, 1521, marking the first-ever resistance by the Filipinos from Western colonizers. This makes him officially the first ever Filipino hero in history.
His stance is that of a warrior in defensive mode, holding a sword called a kampilan and a shield— a more dominating stance compared to the more relaxed Lapu-Lapu statue in Rizal Park Manila.
In this statue, Lapu-Lapu is also adorned with a headgear and several jewelry pieces, signifying high status in the kingdom, and a loincloth, the traditional attire for men in those days.
Spanish chronicler Antonio Pigafetta pointed out that Lapu-Lapu wielded a sword that is used by blue bloods of the Moro group. The mention of the name of the sword in several oral stories also proves the widespread existence and use of kampilan across the archipelago at that time.
Little has been known about Lapu-Lapu and his life. Up until today, there are disputes as to whether Lapu-Lapu referred to one person only or a group of persons who killed Magellan over 400 years ago. Still, the fact remains that Filipino warriors were brave and unbeatable during those times.
University of the Visayas president Eduardo Gullas writes of the warrior’s legendary feats in this story:
“Lapu-Lapu is a good example of determination and willingness to work well. He learned how to ride on a horseback and on carabao proficiently at the age of six years; knew how to read and write at seven; boxed well at nine; became a champion swimmer, boxer and wrestler at eighteen; beat the Bornean marauders and pirates twice at twenty.”
Also in the plaza is an obelisk that marks the place where Magellan died. It was constructed in 1866 by the Augustinian friar Simon Aguirre. The obelisk can be found at the back of the statue of Lapu-Lapu.
Every April is a good time to visit because a group of artists stages the Battle of Mactan at the shrine to commemorate and honor Lapu-Lapu and his men.
It sure is nothing compared to the original thing but an extra dose of imagination would be enough to transport you back in time and see that brave warrior wield his sword against colonizers.
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