Lapu-Lapu Day 2024: Remembering the Filipino Victory against Magellan


By: James Dioneda

Photo By: Emman Ombina


Lapu-Lapu Day, celebrated every April 27, is a public holiday that commemorates the historic triumph of Lapu-Lapu and his Filipino warriors over the Spanish invaders, commanded by Ferdinand Magellan, on April 27, 1521.

Our Former President Duterte's Proclamation No. 200 designates April 27 annually as Lapulapu Day to commemorate his legacy. In addition, Republic Act No. 11040 declares April 27 as a special working public holiday nationwide and a special non-working holiday in Lapulapu City, Cebu.

DYK? Lapu Lapu, renowned as the first Filipino hero, gained fame for resisting colonization by defeating Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521."

In 1521, Magellan, an explorer who landed on Samar (formerly known as Homonhon Island), was approached by Humabon after his baptism. 

Humabon expressed concerns about Lapu-Lapu, a ruler on nearby Mactan Island, and sought Magellan's assistance in weakening Lapu-Lapu's authority. It was at Humabon's urging that Magellan engaged in a battle against Lapu-Lapu and his warriors.

On April 27, 1521, Magellan launched an assault on Mactan with his limited forces. The explorer and his troops disembarked and confronted Lapu-Lapu's substantial army of 1,500 warriors. 

Moreover, Italian scholar Antonio Pigafetta, who accompanied Magellan on the expedition describes how Lapu-Lapu's warriors targeted their adversaries with bamboo spears and poisoned arrows, resulting in the fatal injury of Magellan.

People long held the belief that Lapu-Lapu killed Magellan in the battle. However, historians now state that there is insufficient evidence to support this account of the events.

“The story of Lapu-Lapu, depicted with bulging biceps rushing toward Magellan to kill him with a swift stroke of his weapon, is a folklore or ‘fakelore’ that had been repeated for five centuries,” said historian Dr. Danilo Madrid Gerona told the Inquirer.

Despite that, Lapu-Lapu Day still serves as a reminder of the significance of courage, resilience, and defending our beliefs. It inspires us to value our heritage, stand up for our culture, and honor those who fought for freedom.

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