History of Cebu: The Battle of

Mactan
October 11, 2013 Leave a Comment

The Battle of Mactan was a historical event that took place six
centuries ago, in April 27, 1521. It is the first known and recorded
resistance of the Filipinos against foreign forces who aimed to invade
and conquer the Philippines.

**At that time, the local people were not yet called “Filipino” as the
nation “Philippines” was not yet born.

While on his way to the Moluccas Islands on a mission for Spain,

Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese Conquistador, sighted the
Philippine archipelago and landed in Homonhon. While on the island,
he befriended the chieftain of Limasawa, Rajah Kulambo who guided
the Spaniards to Cebu.

Magellan became friend with Rajah Humabon, the ruler of Cebu. The
rajah, his wife and their followers were converted to Christianity and
were baptized into the Catholic faith. After their baptism, Magellan
gave an image of the Santo Niño to Queen Juana, Humabonʼs wife.

Rajah Humabon became an ally of Magellan. He issued an order to the

other chiefs in Cebu to provide food and other supplies to Magellanʼs
ships and that they too must embrace Christianity. The local chieftains
followed Humabonʼs order except Datu Lapu-Lapu, one of the chiefs in
Mactan Island, who refused to obey the directive of the rajah of Cebu.

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 Rajah Humabon and Datu Zula, another chieftain of Mactan Island
suggested to Magellan to force Lapu-Lapu to comply with Humabonʼs
order and recognize the King of Spain as their sovereign. To
strengthen his friendship with Humabon, Magellan agreed to sail to
Mactan to subdue the defiant Lapu-Lapu who rejected Christianity and
who refused to pay tribute to the Spanish crown.

Antonio Pigafetta, the voyage chronicler of Magellan, recorded that on

April 27, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan sailed to Mactan and deployed 48
men armed with swords, axes, cross-bows and guns. However,
Magellanʼs ship could not directly land on Mactan, they had to anchor
far from the shore due to the rocky outcroppings and corals near the
beach. This rendered his ships armory almost useless as he was not
able to use his firepower against Lapu-Lapu and the native warriors.

Battle of Mactan Painting at the Mactan Shrine in Punta Engano

Lapu Lapu Vs Magellan

The Spaniards climbed down their ship and waded through shallow

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 water to reached shore. This is a bit challenging for Magellan and his
men for they were wearing suits of armor that weighed them down,
while the natives on the other hand which is said to be around 1,500
strong men waited for the Spanish to come closer, ready for the battle.

With the Spaniards at striking distance, warriors armed with bows

rained arrows against them. Then the rest of Lapu – Lapuʼs men
charged brandishing their bolos, spears and kampilans. To terrify their
adversaries, Magellan ordered his men to burn the houses. However,
this made the natives only more furious and they swarmed upon the
foreigners.

Magellanʼs leg was shot with a poisoned arrow while his arm was
wounded by a spear. When the native warriors recognized Magellan,
many come upon him. Magellanʼs men retreated to their boats when
they saw that their leader was killed, leaving Magellanʼs body behind.

According to Pigafettaʼs chronicle, Rajah Humabon sent a message to

Lapu-Lapu to negotiate the return of the bodies of the captain and his
men in exchange of all merchandise Lapu-Lapu wanted. However,
Lapu-Lapuʼs swift response was that they will not return Magellanʼs
body in exchange of all material riches because the captainʼs body is
far more important as the symbol of their triumph against the foreign
invaders.

With the death of Magellan and defeat of the Spaniards in this clash,
the Battle of Mactan becomes a historic event that marks the Filipinos
first struggle against foreign invasion.

Today, books on Philippine history recognize Lapu-Lapu as the first

Filipino Hero. He probably did not kill Magellan himself, but he is a

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 symbolism for that first fight to resist invaders and foreign subjugation.

Lapu-Lapu: the First Filipino Hero

Lapu Lapu Monument

There is an annual commemoration for the Battle of Mactan in Punta

Engano in Lapu -Lapu City, this is also the location where you can find
the Liberty Shrine and one of Cebuʼs tourism landmark – the Statue of
Datu Lapu-Lapu.

Come and visit LLC every April 27 during the Kadaugawan sa Mactan
Festival to celebrate with the people and to witness the re-enactment
of this historical battle.

Like us on We LOVE Cebu official Facebook Page for more

interesting facts and events here in the Queen City of the
South!!!

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