Diaper commercial mocks history

MANILA, Philippines - Barely two weeks before the commemoration of the Battle of Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza is waging another battle and this time, it’s against a diaper brand whose TV commercial makes fun of the fight between Lapu-Lapu and Magellan.

Radaza wants local TV stations to pull out the commercial of a baby diaper showing Datu Lapu-Lapu and Ferdinand Magellan fighting over a diaper.

Radaza said that she was slighted with the endorsement made by EQ diapers because for her, the advertisement is making a mockery of history, specifically the Battle of Mactan.

In the TV ad, Magellan was shown bringing with him a basket loaded with different brands of diapers when he arrived at Mactan island to serve as his gift to Datu Lapu-Lapu and Reyna Bulakna.

However, Reyna Bulakna stopped Lapu-Lapu from accepting the gift for their son who only uses EQ diapers as it is more absorbent compared to other brands.

“Magtutuos tayo sa Mactan!,” was Lapu-Lapu’s challenge to Magellan in the TV commercial .

The mayor labeled the advertisement as a distortion of history and an insult to Oponganons.

“The owner of the product must do two things- make a public apology and immediately pull out the TV ads,” the Mayor said during the press conference.

Lapu-Lapu City considers its history as “sacred.” Datu Lapu-Lapu is the first Filipino hero when he won against Magellan and this should not be mocked, according to the mayor.

“We’re declaring (April 27) as a holiday, unya hero gyud siya (Datu Lapu-Lapu),” The Mayor said.

Radaza said that she will be writing to the National Historical Commission (NHC).

Radaza wants to preserve and promote the culture and heritage of Lapu-Lapu City. She said the ad is insulting.

“The victory of Datu Lapu-Lapu and his men serves as a fountain of pride for us Oponganons,” Radaza added.

Earlier, the Lapu-Lapu City council also approved an ordinance which prohibits naming a fish Lapu-Lapu.

Lapu-Lapu City will be commemorating the Battle of Mactan through a re-enactment this coming April 27 at the Liberty Shrine in barangay Mactan.

Mayor Radaza said she heard children joking that diaper was the reason Lapulapu and Magellan fought.

 Heroes are respected and honored, added Radaza, and must not be made to “look funny on TV in a lame attempt to promote a product”. — with Bong Soriano, Banat News /JPM (FREEMAN)