Non-working holiday in Lapu-Lapu City on April 27

CEBU, Philippines — It is a special non-working holiday in Lapu-Lapu City on April 27, Friday as proclaimed and ordered by the Malacañang in line with the city’s 498th celebration of the Kadaugan Sa Mactan (KSM).

“Whereas, the Battle of Mactan is among the significant events in the Philippines history and serve as testimony to the rich cultural and historical heritage of the ceremonies,” stated Proclamation No. 461 that was signed on April 2 by Salvador Medialdea, Executive Secretary of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The Kadaugan sa Mactan is a yearly celebration of Lapu-Lapu City to honor the bravery of Datu Lapu-Lapu, the Mactan chieftain who defeated foreign invaders led by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.

Several activities for this year’s KSM are lined up which include the reenactment of the Battle of Mactan at the shores of the Liberty Shrine in Barangay Mactan on Friday morning.

Mayor Paz Radaza recently said the city allocated P8 million for the KSM — P5 million for the re-enactment and P3 million for other activities.

Unlike in the past, the Lapu-Lapu City government will have KSM in a musical presentation that features Bisaya songs.

The performers will sing during their live performances.

Actors Derick Hubalde will portray the role of Datu Lapu-Lapu and Adrian Louis Alandy will act as the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan while actress Dionne Monsanto will play as Reyna Bulakna.

Last week, the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Office has opened the food festival on the grounds of the Liberty Shrine where several resorts and hotels have showcased their food to the public.

The Rampada Festival and the Search for Reyna Bulakna will also take place on April 27 at the Hoopsdome.  (FREEMAN)