Explore The History Of Lapu Lapu, The First Filipino Hero
Posted by Anna on 13th Mar 2023
Travelers to the Philippines are likely to see a number of monuments honoring an indigenous leader by the name of Lapu Lapu (sometimes written Lapu-Lapu or Lapulapu). Despite the fact that little is known about his life, he is de facto the country's first national hero. We can learn more about Lapu Lapu and his place in the history of the archipelago by carefully examining the various oral and written sources that discuss his history.
Lapu Lapu History: The Legendary Filipino Hero
When Magellan came into the area, Lapu Lapu was one of the two datus (chiefs) of the island of Mactan, which is located close to Cebu in the Philippines. On April 27, 1521, he and his men engaged Magellan in combat and eventually killed him, driving the Spanish expedition away from the Philippines.
Lapu Lapu History
His precise birthplace and date are unknown. The Aginid claims he came to the Philippines from Borneo, an island now shared by Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. So he might be of Indian descent. He was the son of a Mactan datu, according to Mactan's oral history, nevertheless.
He contacted Rajah Humabon on the island of Cebu in the Philippine archipelago to request a region to dwell in. On the island of Opong, which is now known as Mactan due to his later deeds, Rajah Humabon gave him permission to do so.
After settling in Mactan, it appears that he took part in ship piracy in the Cebu Strait, giving him influence over Rajah Humabon and fueling their rivalry.
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Magellan's landing and the Battle of Mactan
When Ferdinand Magellan arrived as the captain of the later-named Magellan-Elcano expedition—the first to traverse the globe—it was in the midst of this conflict between Rajah Humabon and Lapu Lapu.
The Battle of Mactan
Magellan formed a partnership with Rajah Humabon upon his arrival in Cebu. In return for Magellan's military force to capture him, Rajah Humabon supplied supplies and tribute.
Hundreds of Rajah Humabon's warriors joined the expedition commanded by Magellan in fighting Lapu Lapu on the island of Mactan. Still, his army resisted in combat, refused Rajah Humabon's requests, and killed Magellan.
Henrique de Malacca is abandoned when the expedition departs
The Spanish expedition, now under the command of Juan Sebastián Elcano, departed the island of Mactan and continued their journey to Europe via the Indian Ocean after Magellan and a significant portion of his crew perished.
Lapu Lapu History
They also abandoned Henrique de Malacca, a Magellan slave who might have become the first person to traverse the globe had he been able to return to Malacca after the Battle of Mactan.
After the battle of Mactan, Henrique de Malacca's route was lost, making it impossible to determine for sure if he was the first person to round the globe or not. Unless fresh historical proof surfaces in the future.
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Rajah Humabon and the peace: The end of Lapu Lapu history
It appears that Rajah Humabon and Lapu Lapu would have made peace at some point after the battle of Mactan. However, he would have felt uneasy remaining in Mactan because Rajah Humabon might try to attack him again.
Mactan Battle Monument
But, according to the Aginid, he made the decision to go back to Borneo sometime later and brought the majority of his family with him. His presence in the narrative is lost as a result, and his life is unknown, moving on.
What is undeniable is that he has come to represent the nation of the Philippines' independence and national pride. His act of defiance against the Spanish expedition has gained legendary status in the nation and epitomizes many of the archipelago's patriotic ideals.
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