EDITORIAL - Lapu-Lapu Day

It took a president whose roots can be traced to Cebu to declare every 27th day of April as Lapu-Lapu Day in honor of the great warrior and his men who valiantly fought and repulsed foreign invaders in what is now called the famous Battle of Mactan.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation Number 200 Wednesday afternoon declaring April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day nationwide to recognize the great Cebuano's legacy and for it to be remembered throughout the country.

In his proclamation, the president said "being among the first of our forefathers to have fought against foreign domination, Lapu-Lapu's heroism has been recognized as a representation of the Filipino people's love of freedom and capability to rise above adversity."

The Palace's move means every April 27 will be a non-working day for Filipinos throughout the country, which we consider very appropriate because Lapu-Lapu's resistance and triumph against foreign invaders is worthy of a national celebration.

For decades, it used to be only the residents of Lapu-Lapu City who had the privilege of enjoying the holiday every April 27, going out to the streets celebrating Lapu-Lapu and his men's victory over the Spanish colonizers, an event they call the "Kadaugan sa Mactan."

Now, the entire country can take the time to join in the celebration, which is just proper because the Mactan battle victory – which reminds us to always resist foreign domination – has never ceased to historically affect the life of every Filipino.

In the past, there were moves in Congress seeking to declare April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day. But they failed to gather momentum and make it to the list of priority bills. This aside from the failure of our Cebuano legislators to unite.

Although such recognition for Lapu-Lapu has long been overdue, Cebuanos are still thankful for the president's proclamation, as they hope that the great Cebuano warrior will someday stand alongside Dr. Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio in the pantheon of national heroes.