Star-studded cast re-enacts historic Battle of Mactan

PATRICK Garcia as Magellan, Geneva Cruz as Bulakna and Richard Quan as Lapu-Lapu. PHOTO BY JUNJIE MENDOZA/Cebu Daily News

LAPU-LAPU CITY—At least 3,000 people braved the searing heat recently to watch the star-studded midmorning reenactment of the Battle of Mactan in 1521.

The event was held within days of Malacañang’s announcement that it was considering changing the name of Mactan Cebu International Airport to Lapu-Lapu International Airport, in honor of the first Filipino hero.

Mactan residents, along with local and foreign visitors witnessed the reenactment known as the Kadaugan sa Mactan or Victory in Mactan.

The “natives” were led by chieftain Lapu-Lapu, played by actor Richard Quan. The “invaders” were led by Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, portrayed by actor Patrick Garcia.

Singer-actress Geneva Cruz was cast in the role of Bulakna, wife of Lapu-Lapu.

War dance

A cast of local actors and actresses in colorful costumes and in the roles of natives performed a pre-battle ritual that consisted of a war dance, a prayer to the anito (ancestor spirit)

QUAN leads local actors who play valiant “natives” that resist conquest. PHOTO BY JUNJIE MENDOZA/Cebu Daily News

Ama, and the sacrifice of a pig whose blood was smeared on the kampilan or cutlass-like weapon that the chieftain used.

Quan, in an ornate red headdress, loincloth, and a blue green vest, led the charge of the locals as Garcia came in from the Mactan Channel by boat, onto the shore of the Liberty Shrine, built in honor of Lapu-Lapu.

To emphasize the advanced weaponry of the invaders, makeshift huts representing the village of the natives were burned during the battle scene between Magellan’s 30 warriors and Lapu-Lapu’s 45 men.

A helicopter from the Benito Ebuen Airbase of the Philippine Air Force in Mactan Island scattered flower petals and yellow confetti as the natives emerged victorious, and Lapu-Lapu and his men slew Magellan.

Lapu-Lapu City mayor Paz Radaza said this year’s Kadaugan sa Mactan costs P1.4 million, less than last year’s P1.6 million. The actors’ professional fees  were shouldered by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor).

Good alternative

THE EVENT recounts the Battle of Mactan in 1521. PHOTO BY JUNJIE MENDOZA/Cebu Daily News

The guest of honor, Sec. Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, announced that the change in name of the international airport would be a good alternative to making March 28 a national holiday since, according to many in the business sector, the country already has many holidays.

Coloma praised Lapu-Lapu as “a testament to the nobility of the Filipino nation and its people.”

He urged the people of Lapu-Lapu to unite behind mayor Radaza in the fight to attain the vision of a city that is “a healthy haven for tourism, business, investment, residence and recreation, with empowered citizens living in a clean and peaceful environment conducive to multisectoral interaction, good governance, and sustainable development.”