Biography of Lapu-Lapu

Chief born around 1490 in the island of Mactan and died in 1569 in the same place. He/She was
the leader of the Filipino warriors who ended up with the life of Fernando Magallanes. In March
1521, Lapu-Lapu brought together all the Warriors of Mactan Island to confront a group of
sailors who had landed under the command of Magellan. This was converted to Christianity at
the head of the indigenous people of the island of Cebu, Huambon, and to show you their
friendship, the Portuguese Navigator wanted to put under its sovereignty to Lapu-Lapu and all
their lands. Chief refused to accept the conditions and to swear allegiance to the King of Spain,
so it was launched, in front of his two thousand men, against 48 Spanish soldiers. During the
battle, Magellan and 15 Hispanic found death. In a moment of the battle, Magellan had fallen to
the ground wounded by a stone, time that was used by one of the Warriors of Lapu-Lapu to
traverse it with his spear. The rest of the survivors rushed out to retreat to their ships, pursued
by the filipinos. After this victory, Lapu-Lapu became mired in constant fights with Huambon,
each one wanting to take ownership of the possessions of the other. The feat of Lapu-Lapu was
registered in the work of the Italian chronicler Antonio Pigafetta, who estimated that, at the
time of the clash with the Spaniards, it had between 27 and 33 years. Oral legends that arose
among the inhabitants of the island of Mactan considered you a hero and presented him as the
pioneer of the struggle against foreign domination. His myth claimed that after his death
he/she became a rock that the Indians have called Malingin, located south of punta Engaño.
The city of Opon, located in one of the channels of the Bohol Strait, has changed its original
name to the of Lapu-Lapu, in honor of the legendary hero.
Lapu-Lapu is widely celebrated as the first Filipino hero, famously vanquishing Portuguese
conquistador Ferdinand Magellan and his army in their attempt to colonise Mactan Island. In
honor of his triumph, Lapu-Lapu’s monument stands tall in the island of Mactan today,
symbolising the country’s first successful resistance to Spanish colonisation. Apart from
successfully defying foreign invaders, little is known about the man and legend that is Lapu-
Lapu. Citing scholarly research and historical accounts, Culture Trip aims to paint a picture of
this Philippine hero and the events that shaped the future of the nation.
Culture Trip asked locals in the Philippines what they thought about Lapu- Lapu, and they
responded with terms like: “Brave Mactan Leader,” “Pinuno na may paninindigan” (leader who
stood for his people) and “Leader who fought for his people.” His reputation precedes him,
weaving history and myth into the fabric of modern Filipino culture. Although the exact date of
his arrival is unknown, most historical accounts state Lapu-Lapu reached the shores of Sugbo
(now referred to as Cebu) from the neighboring island of Borneo. At this time, Rajah Humabon
ruled over Sugbo and was recognized by natives as the island’s king. Lapu-Lapu asked Humabon
for a place to settle in the archipelago; in response, the king offered him the region of
Mandawili (known today as Mandaue), including the Opong area. He soon after became the
chief of the region’s people — referred to as Datu Lapu-Lapu of Mactan island.