I mentioned in my article on Magellan’s Cross that Cebu and Magellan go together like bacon and eggs. And while Bacon and Eggs are inseparable in the United States, this is the Philippines we are talking about. So that means that we’ve got rice to go with it.
You may be asking what rice has to do with all of this. Well I forgot where I was going with this as the thought of breakfast suddenly made me hungry. And as I rush to the fast food restaurant at the corner to see if they still have breakfast, all I can think of is that a Filipino breakfast will be complete when it comes with Garlic Fried Rice.
This brings me back to our topic at hand wherein Cebu wouldn’t be complete without Lapu-Lapu because like Magellan, Lapu-Lapu is just as much a part of Cebu’s history as Magellan is.
Table of Contents
Background
Lapu-Lapu Monument
Lapu-Lapu was a Datu, or a Chief, of Mactan island in Cebu when the Spaniards had arrived on ships led by Ferdinand Magellan on March 16, 1521.
On April 27, 1521, Lapu-Lapu led about 1,500 warriors armed with hand-held weapons against the small force of Magellan who were armed with guns in what is known as the Battle of Mactan.
The resulting death of Magellan permanently intertwined these two figures in the annals of history with monuments dedicated to both on them centuries later.
Legacy
Over the years I have come across conflicting studies that trace the events around the Battle of Mactan. I remember some heated arguments back in school between students and even teachers on what happened before, during, and after the battle.
And while historians still try to find more evidence of the past, the one thing that is probably clear is that Lapu-Lapu may have been the first local to successfully repel a European force. And for that, he is honored as a hero of the Philippines.
Monument
Entrance is free so you can walk right in without any fuss.
Lapu-Lapu Monument
An one end, you will come across the towering statue of Lapu-Lapu in battle gear. Made of bronze and raised on a pedestal, the old Datu of Cebu strikes a proud pose as he gazes toward the horizon.
Walk a few meters into the monument grounds and you will find a simple marker indicating the spot where the Battle of Mactan took place. Located under a structure that provides shade and restrooms at the back, you can use it to pause for some rest before walking around.
Directly In front of this marker is a tower marking the place where Ferdinand Magellan died in battle. Encircled by a locked gate, the tower has the names on three sides. On the fourth side, the words “Glorias Espaňolas” is visible.
Grounds
The area is rather large; so big that you can fit Magellan’s Cross and the Heritage of Cebu Foundation just in the parking lot and still have room to park cars beside them.
Magellan Marker
The paths are wide and fully cemented so people with disabilities shouldn’t have any problems moving about.
Trees also dot the area to provide a bit of shade. However, the sun can still bear down hard on tourists, especially during high noon. To keep cool, I suggest bringing an umbrella so you don’t have to rent one from the vendors at the entrance.
It is also the only one of the three that has restrooms and a flea market on the premises. Speaking of flea markets, our cab driver said that this is the cheapest place to buy souvenir shirts, so make sure to stop by before leaving.
Final Thoughts
It is certainly less colorful than Magellan’s Cross and less ornate than the Heritage of Cebu Foundation, but it does have a slight thing in its favor.
Magellan Marker
The first is that of the three monuments we visited, the Lapu-Lapu monument is easily the biggest, you can fit Magellan’s Cross and the Heritage of Cebu Foundation in the parking lot and still have space for several cars to park.
The second is that not only is it the biggest, but it is located in an area that doesn’t have much traffic. Less vehicles means that it is the quietest of all the monuments. Even with busloads of tourists coming in, you won’t feel crowded in.
The slight drawback is that you’ll need to hire a taxi to visit it as I didn’t see any jeepneys or buses passing by. This shouldn’t be a problem as your hotel should be able to handle getting a cab for you easily.
The third is that the grounds are quite simple but appear to be adequately maintained. I didn’t see any garbage mounds or even piles of leaves on the ground. Not only does this make for better pictures, you can actually sit down without messing up your pants.
Souvenir Shops
Finally, if you are looking for souvenir shirts, this is supposed to have the cheapest shirts around. So I suggest fulfilling your shopping list before visiting other sites.
Well, we’re off to our next place. I hope you can join us again as we continue our visit of Cebu.
Till the next time, keep your appetites up, camera batteries fully charged, and your memory free because you may need them for the next place you visit!
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