EDITORIAL - Something Go should not have done

Senator Bong Go ruffled some feathers last week during his speech for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mactan, particularly when he said that Lapu-Lapu might have been a Tausug from Mindanao.

During his speech, Senator Go cited the theory of Sultanate of Sulu official Abraham Ibarani-Idjirani that Lapu-Lapu was a Tausug who was only there in Mactan because he was ordered to travel there from Mindanao to check on arriving foreigners.

“From Sulu, Lapu-Lapu brought with him several Tausug warriors on board some boats... they were met by Magellan’s soldiers, which led to the Battle of Mactan where the Portuguese explorer was killed,” he said during his speech.

The statement didn’t sit well with many people, particularly his hosts.

Senator Go has since apologized for his remark, and we should not hold a grudge. However, it should still be pointed out that this was a major gaffe, a faux pas that should not have been made.

But first let’s be objective here. Yes, it is true that Lapu-Lapu’s origins are shrouded in mystery. It is unfortunate that we didn’t keep meticulous records of our history before the Spaniards came, plus the fact that our colonizers made sure we would not remember a lot of it at all. No one really knows with definite and undisputable certainty where Lapu-Lapu came from.

In fact, there are several theories as to where he came from and more than one clan claims him. We all know about success having many fathers.

Which means there is a chance, slim as it is, that Senator Go may also be correct.

However, the chance of this being true still doesn’t give Senator Go the license to bring forth this theory during this occasion. The fact that he did it during the solemn observance, at the place where it happened, and in front of people who may likely be the descendants of this hero only added to the controversy.

It was like saying that this person whom these people cherished and held in high regard didn’t really belong to them, but to someone else. That he was not one of them after all.

While he may have had the intent to praise the local hero, the timing of this particular speech was off. But, again, we should not hold a grudge. Considering how he has been helping Cebu, we are sure the senator did not mean to offend his hosts.