"Battle of Mactan" set April 27

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City will mark the “Battle of Mactan on April 27,” the final day of the “Kadaugan sa Mactan” festivities, with movie and television personalities playing the roles of Datu Lapu-Lapu, Lapu-Lapu’s wife Bulakna, and Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

Rudy Villalobos, one of the commissioners of the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Commission, said former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate and actor-model Will Devaughn will play “Lapu-Lapu.”

“Bulakna” will be portrayed by veteran actress Desiree del Valle and Singer Lloyd Umali will play the role of “Magellan.”

Villalobos said veteran actor Philip Salvador might also be invited.

April 27 will be declared a special non-working holiday in Lapu-Lapu City.

“Kadaugan” festivities will be capped with the reenactment of the famous battle where native Filipinos thwart Spain's first attempt to colonize the archipelago in the 16th century.

Last year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, through Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, issued proclamation 1756 as well as proclamation 1757 both granting special non-working holiday for both for April 27 and June 17, the second charter day celebration of Lapu-Lapu after having been categorized as a highly-urbanized city.

The place where Lapu-Lapu and his men triumphed over the Spanish invaders on April 27, 1521 has been turned into a shrine. The shrine sits along the boundaries of barangays Punta Engaño and Mactan. –   (FREEMAN NEWS)