26/09/2020
Lapu-Lapu, The Hero, And The Chismis
Kabalo ba ka? Did you know? That Lapu Lapu may not be the hero
you knew?
In a book published by the USC Press entitled "Panagtagbo Series(The Encounter)
Lapu Lapu, the Conqueror of Magellan, " They wrote and stated that " in European Historical Records, Lapu-Lapu is invisible. There was no written record of him from any of those present from the battle of Mactan, none actually saw him, knew what he looked like, heard him speak.
His recorded words of defiance and pride are all indirect, reported speeches, neither was there a mention that he was present in the battle that made him famous." The Battle of Mactan happened on, April 27, 1521.
It was most likely that Alqader or Sri Lapulapu was overseeing the battle at the high grounds or somewhere and was not physically present during the fight.
So who is Alqader (Lapu-Lapu)?
Lapu-Lapu's Names and Aliases
Known Name: Alqader
Known Aliases: Lapu-Lapu, Çilapulapu, Lapulapu Dimantag
Salip Pulaka, Cali Pulaco
First Let's talk about Cebu.
Cebu was formerly known as:
Pulua Kang Dayang "[the islands] of the lady" during the reign of Raja Lumaya and was later named Sugbo "conflagration" after the Great Fire because of the raja's scorching of the earth tactic to drive away the invading Muslims which hoped to raid and convert the people into Islam Then it renamed Sibo short for Sinibuyang Hingpit "The Place for Trading" by Raja Humabon.
It is intriguing to note there are two oral records of the history of Opong (old name of Mactan). One is that Lapu-Lapu was not an immigrant but a son of a datu named Mangal but this story
could not be verified in History.
The other Version is the Aginid, an account from the Kings of Cebu whose dynasty can be traced back to the Hindu Chola dynasty of Sumatra. The Last King of Cebu, Rajah Tupas, had this history committed to baybayin in 1565 for posterity.
According to the epic Aginid, Lapulapu Dimantag arrived from "Borneo" Sabah. He asked Humabon for a place to settle, and the king produced him the region of Mandawili now Mandaue, including the island known as Opong or Opon, presently Mactan, hoping that Lapulapu's people would cultivate the land.
The relationship between Lapulapu and Humabon later deteriorated when Lapulapu turned to piracy. He began raiding merchant ships passing the island of Opong, affecting trade in Sugbo. Because of this, The island earned the name Mangatang or "those who lie in wait", later evolving to "Mactan".
Let's take a closer look at the details.
Fact 1. There are 2 or 3 Datus in Mactan, Datu Zula, and Datu Alqader, (there could be another one but it was not named) while they might be Datu's under a Raja in status, unlike the Mindanao Sultanate and the European States, the Visayan Region is a confederation of states and each datu is completely independent of their perceived overlords and therefore could not be compelled.
Fact 2. Lapu-Lapu was an immigrant from Borneo who was given lands by Rajah Humabon to cultivate.
Fact 3. Lapu-Lapu turned into piracy which disrupted the trade and commerce in Sinibuyang Hingpit "The Place for Trading" shortened to Sibo, now know as Cebu.
Fact 4. Raja Humabon, asked the help of the Spanish Fleet to help him in some problems in the islands of Mactan.
Fact 5. Magellan and Raja Humabon had a pact after their encounter Humabon swore to Spain and so did Zula. Lapu-Lapu initially agreed but rebelled when he was forced to recognize Raja Humabon as supreme chief.
This is why According to Danilo Madrid Gerona a Filipino Historian who is part of a group of international experts organizing the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan circumnavigating the world; that Lapu-Lapu was not a hero. He did not fight for independence he fought for his pride.
According to Aginid, Lapulapu and Humabon restored friendly relations after the Battle of Mactan. Lapulapu later decided to return to Borneo with eleven of his children, three of his wives, and seventeen of his men. Nothing more is known of him after this.
The Cebu Rajanate was very Shortlived, it started with Rajah Lumay the grandfather of Raja Humabon, and ended with Raja Tupas, in 1565.
So do you think he was a hero? He may have fought for his pride, he may have been a pirate. And he only won because the Sugboanons did join the fight and only 50 Spaniards fought against more than 1000 of Lapu-Lapu's men. Still, the fact remains, he won, proving that the Spaniards can be beaten. And we did beat Spain, after almost 400 years only to be colonized by the USA immediately after.
