From fish to honorific award

In his article that appeared online in Positively Filipino Magazine, Gregg Yan, communications and media manager for WWF-Philippines wrote “A Fish Called Lapu-lapu,” or grouper or trout as it is called in the English language. Most high-value grouper species are wild-caught, Yan said, in reef-rich Palawan.

“Ever seen a Chinese restaurant without a bubbling tankful of lapu-lapu? Named after Cebu’s legendary chieftain, the lapu-lapu or grouper is among Asia’s most sought-after reef fish. Millions are plucked from the sea to sate soaring demand,” Yan wrote.

According to Yan, from among the 161 grouper species, the leopard coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus), is the most expensive one. This lapu-lapu specie has a crimson or reddish color which, when cooked, Yan cited, fetches up to $150 in a posh Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Unknown to most Pinoys, Yan reported the trade in leopard coral trout contributes over $25 million to annual Philippine revenues and supports the livelihoods of at least 100,000 people.

Surprisingly, Yan noted, less than five percent of Philippine-caught groupers are sold locally because often, these have been rejected by foreign importers. The fish are exported to Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, China and other seafood hubs.

The fish is popularly cooked in a variety of Filipino fish dishes. Because it is a very expensive kind of fish, it is a rare fare being served in dining tables.

Ironically, the fish carries the name of one our country’s folk heroes who scored the first-ever victory in the battle against foreign invaders.

This is what flabbergasts President Rodrigo Duterte who finds it ironic the country’s first victorious hero was merely relegated to a fish.

Thus, President Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) 17 last April 7 that created the “Order of Lapu-Lapu” in honor of the Cebuano hero. Because of Lapu-lapu’s role in repelling the foreign invaders, Duterte took the official act to give the victorious Cebuano chieftain his rightful honor for protecting Filipinos.

The newest presidential award will be conferred to recognize the contribution of government officials and private individuals who support his administration’s advocacies against corruption, illegal drugs and criminality.

EO 17 was issued a few weeks after President Duterte spoke at the 29th Annual National Convention of the Prosecutors League of the Philippines held last month in Clark, Pampanga. In his speech, the Chief Executive took pains to highlight what seems to be an injustice done to one of the greatest Philippine heroes.

“Ang ginawa ninyo kay Lapu-Lapu, ginawa ninyong isda? Bakit hindi ninyo ginawang isda yan si Magellan?” Duterte said. (What did they do to Lapu-lapu? They made him a fish? Why did they not name Magellan a fish instead?)

He referred to Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan who was killed by Lapu-lapu in the historic battle in Mactan.

Acting on President Duterte’s speech, the team of legal advisers at Malacanang Palace reviewed Philippine history to give credit for the man who fought the Magellan-led Spanish colonizers. Magellan organized the expedition to the East Indies from 1519 to 1522 resulting in the “discovery” of our country.

Philippine history cited Magellan was looking for a westward route to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. But en route, Magellan’s expedition landed on Homonhon island in Cebu on March 16, 1521. He was the first European to reach the islands. Rajah Humabon of Cebu was friendly with Magellan and embraced Christianity. But another chieftain, Lapu-Lapu was not. Magellan wanted to convert Lapu-Lapu into Christianity.

On April 17, 1521, Magellan sailed to Mactan and an ensuing battle killed Magellan by the natives led by Lapu-Lapu. Thus, he did not complete the entire voyage. The expedition was funded by then Spanish King Philip II during the 16th century. Thus, our country was named after the Spanish King by the subsequent Spanish expedition after Magellan.

Obviously an avid Philippine history buff, President Duterte believes Magellan caused the current conflict hounding Southern Philippines up to present.

But long before President Duterte came out openly on his personal sentiments about Lapu-lapu, it was the late Visayan folk singer Yoyoy Villame who made famous his own composition entitled “Magellan.” Villame popularized this bit of Philippine history capsulized in a song that goes this way:

On March 16, 15 hundred 21

When Philippines was discovered by Magellan

They were sailing day and night across the big ocean

Until they saw a small Limasawa island.

Magellan landed in Limasawa at noon

The people met him very welcome on the shore

They did not understand the speaking they have done

Because Kastila gid at Waray-Waray man

When Magellan landed in Cebu City

Rajah Humabon met him, they were very happy

All people were baptized and built the church of Christ

And that’s the beginning of our Catholic life

When Magellan visited in Mactan

To christianize them everyone

But Lapu-Lapu met him on the shore

And drive Magellan to go back home

Then Magellan got so mad

Ordered his men to camouflage

‘Mactan island we could not grab

‘Cause Lapu Lapu is very hard’

Then the battle began at dawn

Bolos and spears versus guns and cannons

When Magellan was hit on his neck

He stumble down and cried and cried

Oh, mother, mother I am sick

Call the doctor very quick

Doctor, doctor shall I die?

Tell my mama do not cry

Tell my mama do not cry

Tell my mama do not cry

That’s the end of Magellan

In the island of Mactan long time ago

Ladies and gentlemen.

In case you haven’t noticed, the huge statue of Lapu-lapu stands proud with his mighty “kris” (sword) at Luneta facing Orosa St.