Lapu-Lapu vs Ferdinand Magellan at The Battle of Mactan

Magellan's Cross © walterericsy / Shutterstock

Lapu-Lapu is also known under the names of Cilapulapu, Si Lapulapu, Salip Pulaka, Cali Pulaco, and
LapuLapu Dimantag. And while historians can’t unanimously agree on his real name, the man has always
been etched in history for his battle against Portuguese explorer and conquistador Ferdinand Magellan.

In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan unintentionally stumbled upon Homonhon Island (known today as Samar)
while he was en route to Indonesia’s Spice Islands. There, he was able to establish an allegiance with the
local rulers, particularly Rajah Humabon of Cebu. It was Magellan who convinced Rajah Humabon and
his wife to be baptized into Catholicism and later offered them the Santo Nino. This is said to be the very
moment in history when the Christian religion was introduced to the Philippines.

Recognizing the warm hospitality of Humabon towards them, Magellan then sought to introduce
Catholicism to nearby islands like Mactan. There lived two rival chiefs — Zula and Lapu-Lapu. While the
former welcomed the Spanish conquistador and submitted to Spain, Lapu-Lapu strongly opposed
Magellan’s proposal and Humabon’s orders. Thus, sparking the Battle of Mactan. According to the Aginid
Chronicles (oral chronicles from Rajah Tupas of Cebu), it was Humabon himself who provoked the
Spaniards into fighting against Lapu-Lapu and his army.

Italian scholar Antonio Pigafetta traveled with Magellan during his voyage, keeping a journal to record
events and collect data on local inhabitants. According to his accounts, during the Battle of Mactan
Magellan and 50 of his troop members were up against Lapu-Lapu and his 1,500 warriors. Because
Magellan wanted to show off his army’s European armour, he asked Humabon’s warriors (a gift to the
explorer) to stay on the ship. Pigafetta writes that Lapu-Lapu and his army aimed their fire-hardened
bamboo spears and poisoned arrows at the legs of their enemies – killing Magellan. The survivors came
rushing back onto the ship and fled.

Philippine history professor Xiao Chua told ABS-CBN in an interview that Lapu-Lapu served only as the
troop’s leader. Contrary to popular belief, however, there is no evidence to support that Lapu-Lapu killed
Magellan at his own hands. After the Battle of Mactan, several accounts revealed that Lapu-Lapu and
Humabon were able to restore their friendly relations. Oral history states that Datu of Mactan decided to
return to Borneo where he lived out the rest of his days with his children and wives.