MANILA, Philippines - An online petition is urging the Senate leadership to pass a bill that seeks to declare April 27 a special non-working day to commemorate the victory of Lapu-Lapu and his men against the Spaniards in 1521.
“It is high time that we celebrate victory... that was won almost 500 years ago, when Lapu-Lapu and his men defended the island of Mactan,†said Balbino Guerrero in a petition on Change.org that had over a hundred followers as of yesterday.
“This would tell our children and generations to come that we as a people must defend our land from foreign aggression,†he added.
Supporters of the proposal said it is high time that the whole country celebrates the victory of Lapu-Lapu, who is often dubbed as the first Filipino hero.
Senate Bill 1981, filed by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, seeks the declaration of April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day or Adlaw ni Lapu-Lapu.
“If the nation celebrates the defeat and surrender of US and Filipino forces in Bataan and Corregidor on April 9 of each year, then there is more reason to commemorate the successful exploit of Lapu-Lapu and his warriors on April 27 of every year,†said Estrada in the proposal.
The bill is still pending in the Senate committee level.