Top 10 Fascinating Facts About Lapu-Lapu
Lapulapu or Lapu-Lapu was born in 1491 in Mactan, Philippines and died in 1542.He was a datu (chief) of Mactan in the Visayas region of the Philippines. His name was initially mentioned as Çilapulapu.
The Battle of Mactan, which took place at first light on April 27, 1521, is what made him most famous. There, he and his soldiers triumphed over Spanish forces led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
Lapu-Lapu also fought back against Cebu’s Rajah Humabon and Datu Zula, who desired to accept foreign authority. Due to this victory, the Spanish occupation of the Philippines was delayed by about 40 years.
Now let’s look at 10 fascinating facts about Lapu-Lapu.
1. He Has Many Controversial Origin Stories
Lapu-Lapu may have been born around 1491 on Mactan Island (formerly known as Opong), in the Philippine province of Cebu. Although there is no hard evidence to support this, many people think that his father was a datu called Mangal, and Lapu-Lapu succeeded him.
According to the legend of ‘Aginid’ (oral chronicles of Rajah Tupas of Cebu), Lapu-Lapu came from Borneo. He asked the then king, Rajah Humabon of Sugbo or Cebu, for a place to settle.
Rajah Humabon gave him the area of Mandawili (modern-day Mandue) as well as the island of Opong. This was done in the hope that Lapu-Lapu would farm in the lands and bring economic prosperity to the region.
Lapu-Lapu belonged to the Maginoo class, which was considered a noble community in the pre-colonized Philippine society.
2. Referred to By Various Names
Lapu-Lapu was referred to by names of Çilapulapu, Si Lapulapu, Lapulapu, Salip Pulaka, Cali Pulaco, and Lapulapu Dimantag. He was better known as Si Lapulapu.
Italian historian Pigafetta called him Çilapulapu and Jose Rizal himself mentioned him as Si Lapu Lapu.The word “Si” is a corruption of the title “Sri”. Sri is derived from the Sanskrit “Sri Pakuda” of “His Highness”.
His many monikers are allegedly the result of inaccurate translations made by authors who wrote about his valiant actions in his homeland to maintain independence from European invaders.
3. He Led the Battle of Mactan
Lapu-Lapu was Mactan’s chief, or “datu”. He oversaw Mactan’s affairs alongside Zula, another datu. Traveling to the Indonesian Spice Islands in 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan unintentionally arrived at Homonhon Island (modern-day Samar).
Magellan got acquainted with Rajah Humabon, and this association changed the latter’s life as well as the history of the Philippines. Magellan convinced Humabon to convert to Christianity. He also presented him with the ‘Santo Nino’ that marked the origin of Christianity in the Philippines.
In Mactan, the two chieftains got into conflict after Zula received Magellan and accepted Spanish rule. Lapu-Lapu on the other hand, refused to bend, denying King Humabon’s instructions.
On April 27, 1521, Magellan, with Humabon’s support, launched an attack on Mactan. He had 60 Spaniards and over 20 warships at his disposal.
Magellan offered to withdraw his army if Lapu-Lapu swore his allegiance to Rajah Humabon and submit to the Spanish king, which he vehemently refused.
When Magellan charged forward, many men from his crew were killed instantly. He was injured after being shot in his leg with an arrow laced with poison.
The natives of Mactan saw Magellan as the enemy leader, thus concentrating their assault on him. He along with many of his men was killed in the battle, and only a few Spaniards escaped.
4. Settled After the Battle of Mactan
After the Battle of Mactan, Aginid claims that Lapulapu and Humabon reestablished their amicable ties. Later, Lapulapu decided to take 17 of his soldiers, three of his women, and 11 children back to Borneo. After this, nothing else is known about him.
5. It Is Believed That Lapu-Lapu Never Died but Was Turned into Stone
Some claim Lapu-Lapu perished from natural causes or old age. Lapu-Lapu wasn’t just any man, according to some. It is probable that Datus or chieftains received rewards and that Lapu-Lapu turned into a stone or a statue.
Local legend holds that Lapu-Lapu never actually passed away. Instead, he was transformed into stone and has since been manning the Mactan Seas.
6. Lapu-Lapu’s Religious Beliefs Are Debated
Lapu-Lapu’s religious views are still up for question, however, it is overwhelmingly believed that he was an Animist. The residents of the Sulu Archipelago believe he was a Muslim belonging to the Tausug or Sama-Bajau people of Mindanao. Many historians dispute this claim made by the now-defunct Sultanate of Sulu.
The supreme deity of the Visayans, as recorded by contemporary historians, was identified by two names. The first was Abba by Pigafetta and the second was Kan-Laon by the Jesuit historian Pedro Chirino in 1604.
There was no mention of Islam. Indeed, the Visayans were known for their resistance to conversion to Islam in the epic poem Diyandi of the Aginid chronicle.
7. He Is Portrayed in Popular Culture Today
In 1955 Lapu-Lapu is portrayed by Mario Montenegro in the film Lapu-Lapu. In the 1995 children’s educational series Bayani, he was portrayed by Calvin Millado.
Lapu-Lapu was the inspiration for a playable character of the same name in the mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
8. Lapu-Lapu Is Recognized as A Filipino Hero
Lapu-Lapu is recognized as the first Filipino hero. On April 27, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte declared April 27th (the date when the Battle of Mactan happened) as Lapu-Lapu Day. The holiday honors him as the first hero in the country who defeated foreign rule.
Duterte also signed Executive Order No.17 creating the order of Lapu-Lapu. It recognizes the services of government workers and private citizens in relation to the campaigns and advocacies of the president.
9. Lapu-Lapu Has an Erected Statue in His Honor
The town of Opon in Cebu was renamed Lapu-Lapu City by the government. Consequently, a statue in his honor was erected on Mactan Island. In Rizal Park in Manila, there’s a sizable statue of him. It was presented by South Korea and it has taken the place of a fountain and roller rink.
The Philippine National Police’s official seal features Lapu-Lapu. His face was used on the 1-centavo coin which circulated in the Philippines from 1967 to 1994.
In the United States, a street in South of Market, San Francisco is named after Lapu-Lapu.
10. Lapu-Lapu Has a Shrine
The Lapu-Lapu shrine is a 20 meters (66ft) bronze statue in Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu, Philippines.
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