After Victory at Mactan, victory vs COVID-19 hoped

CEBU, Philippines — On the 500th anniversary of Lapulapu’s victory in the Battle of Mactan yesterday, President Rodrigo Duterte urged Filipinos to draw inspiration from their heroes to win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild a resilient nation.

“Five centuries ago, Lapulapu and the brave warrior of Mactan fearlessly fought of foreign invaders who threatened their cherished way of life. They never cowed against the might of the enemy and they bled in defense of their homeland,” Duterte said in his video message during the quincentennial of the Victory of Mactan yesterday.

“Today we remember their gallantry by honoring their worthy heirs of Lapulapu’s legacy,” he added.

Duterte noted that in the present times, medical and essential frontliners who face danger caused by COVID-19 continue to risk their own lives to ensure for the safety of their fellow Filipinos.

“Let us draw inspiration of the heroes of the past and present as we overcome pandemic and rebuild a stronger and more resilient nation,” he said.

Veering away from tradition, yesterday’s reenactment of the Victory at Mactan (Kadaugan sa Mactan) was attended by guests and performers who were all wearing face masks as part of the safety protocols against the pandemic.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. expressed the President’s admiration of Lapulapu’s heroism and how this virtue is being exemplified by medical frontliners in the fight against COVID-19.

“Tunay na makasaysayan po ang araw na ito na ika-500, quincentennial anniversary ng the Victory of Mactan.  Sana po sa mga darating na araw magkaroon po ng victory of the Philippines laban po sa COVID-19 at we take advantage of this quincentennial celebration also to pay tribute to the real heroes of our times, our medical frontliners,” said Roque.

The spokesperson said that Lapulapu’s victory was considered as the first successful resistance of the Philippines against colonialism. This is the reason, he said, why Duterte recognized Lapu-Lapu’s heroism by creating an award in his honor dubbed as an “Order of Lapulapu” through Executive Order No. 17 last April 7, 2017.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan expressed his gratitude to the President for elevating Lapulapu to what he referred to as one with “a greater standing among the pantheons of national heroes.”

Chan said that it was a well-deserved honor afforded to the country’s first national hero.

“It (life-size statue of Lapulapu in Mactan) is a constant reminder of his heroism after he showed the rest of humanity that our drive for self-determination as a people was more powerful than the canons and barrels of our aggressors,” he said.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who was also present at yesterday’s program, said that on April 27, 1521, “our ancestors under the leadership of Lapulapu gained battle scars during the Battle of Mactan.”

“Their momentous victory on that date has become a perpetual symbol of our forefather’s heroism and bravery. While it happened in an age when our scattered islands were not yet united as one nation, the memory of that event has become our common heritage as people,” said Medialdea.

He added that the magnanimity and kindness of the Filipino ancestors 500 years ago remain in the blood of contemporary Filipinos.

“I am encouraging all of you to be in your own way a bayaning Pilipino sa makabagong panahon, especially in this time of pandemic,” said Medialdea.

Dr. Rene Escalante, chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and head of the National Quincentennial Committee, was hopeful that Lapulapu’s heroism will be ingrained in the memory of Filipino people.

“We are expecting that everytime we hear the word ‘Lapulapu’ in the coming days, what will come into our mind is the historic leader of Mactan who defended our country against the invaders and not the delicious fish that we eat in Chinese restaurants,” he said.

He pointed out that it is important to mark the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mactan as it underscores our ancestors fight for the country’s sovereignty.

Lapu-Lapu City Tourism chairperson Cindi King-Chan also said that the bayanihan effort that everybody put to made yesterday’s event successful.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, for his part, said one takeaway from the historic battle that is still relevant today is unity and cooperation.

“Ang pagdiriwang natin ngayon ay isa ring paalaala sa bawat mamamayan, lalo na sa ating mga kabataan, na kung tayo ay magtutulungan at magkaisa, walang kalaban ang hindi natin kayang talunin. Gaya na lang ang laban natin sa pandemyang COVID-19, magtulugan lang po tayo, magbayanihan po tayo, magmalasakit tayo sa ating kapwa,” he said.

“Ang tagumpay ni Lapulapu at ating mga ninuno ay magsisilbing inspirasyon sa ating lahat upang tayo ang magsama para malampasan ang mga pagsubok sa pinagdadaanan natin ngayon,” he added.

Nationwide Commemmoration

Although the celebration was held mainly at Mactan yesterday, the nation also joined in the revelries in the form of simultaneous flag-raising nationwide to honor Lapulapu.

In Cebu City, a short program followed the flag-raising, which was attended by city officials like Councilors Donaldo Hontiveros and Joel Garganera, as well as City Legal Officer Rey Gealon, who represented Mayor Edgardo Labella, among others. —  Mary Ruth R. Malinao, JMD (FREEMAN)