Declaring Lapu-Lapu day a National Holiday: Radaza hopes bill gets approved by March

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza hopes that the proposed Senate bill that seeks to declare Lapu-Lapu Day as a nationwide celebration will be approved before April.

Her statement came after Senator Richard Gordon recently submitted the bill at the Senate to make "Lapu-Lapu Day" a nationwide holiday.

"Three weeks ago, didto man ko sa Senate. Nagpasalamat ko ni Senator Gordon for sponsoring the bill. Ingon siya paninguhaon gyud nato kay mao man ni ato gitan-aw. We believe in Lapu-Lapu kay hero gud nato siya," Radaza told reporters in a recent press conference.

Since the city will commemorate the 497th year of the Battle of Mactan or "Kadaugan sa Mactan" this year, she hopes a special non-working holiday for the whole country will be granted in the honor of Datu Lapu-Lapu.

"Hopefully a nationwide holiday before Kadaugan," Radaza told reporters.

The Kadaugan sa Mactan is celebrated every April 27, wherein a re-enactment of the historic battle is done by the shores of the Liberty Shrine or commonly called as Mactan Shrine.

In 1521, Datu Lapu-Lapu fought against Spanish invaders led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

The fall of Magellan and his men were a victorious feat of Datu Lapu-Lapu and his group.

In an earlier report, Gordon stated that the Lapu-Lapu Day is a fitting tribute to the Mactan hero, who displayed courage and bravery in fighting against the conquerors.

"Lapu-Lapu had strong principles and was a peaceful leader until invaded, possessing the qualities of courage, bravery, strength, honor, and integrity, which should be emulated by every Filipino," Gordon said, in a press statement.

During his term as secretary of the Department of Tourism, Gordon also fought for the monument of Lapu-Lapu to be installed at the Luneta Park to represent the Visayas and the Muslims.

Gordon explained that Lapu-Lapu is embodied in the Philippine national anthem through the line, "sa manlulupig, 'di ka pa sisiil," as he is the first successful defender of the Philippine shores.

Lapu-Lapu is also the earliest known indigenous Visayan Muslim chieftain in Mactan and the first hero of the Visayas, according to Gordon. (FREEMAN)