EDITORIAL - "Lapu-Lapu Day"

Today, all roads lead to Lapu-Lapu City for the staging of the "Kadaugan sa Mactan." The annual event, which has become one of the city's premier tourist attractions, depicts the victory of the Filipinos in the first war against foreign colonizers.

Of course, we all know the resisting Filipinos were led by Datu Lapu-Lapu. He and his men refused to pay tribute to the king of Spain upon Ferdinand Magellan's arrival. This resulted in a fierce battle along the Mactan shores that killed Magellan and many of his men.

As the first hero against colonialism, Lapu-Lapu has become a household name. His defiance of foreign domination left a lasting mark among Filipinos, making him a national symbol in the fight for freedom.

Now, it is just appropriate for the government to give recognition to a great Filipino warrior. If the nation dedicates two days every year to Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio, then it's only fair to set aside one day for Lapu-Lapu.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada has filed Senate Bill 1981 naming April 27 as "Lapu-Lapu Day" or "Adlaw ni Lapu-Lapu." The bill seeks to declare such date a special non-working holiday across the country.

Before Estrada, Senator Richard Gordon had also introduced a bill declaring the date an official national holiday during the 14th Congress. But the move, for unknown reasons, did not gain ground at the Senate.

Maybe the twin bills lack the needed steam to keep the Lapu-Lapu campaign rolling at the Senate halls. But that should not be the cause for the proponents to raise the white flag and surrender.

All that is needed is for all Cebuanos to unite in support of the two bills. For one, we have incumbent Cebuano Senator Serge Osmeña III who could make a case considering his influence at the Upper Chamber.       

As we witness today's reenactment of the historic victory of the Filipino warriors hundreds of years ago, the celebration should not only be limited to the island itself given its great national significance.