CEBU TOUR, Part 8 The Lapu-Lapu Shrine in Mactan

The Grand Statue of Our Hero Lapu-Lapu

This is the second visit I had in this beautiful Shrine of our hero Lapu-Lapu. The last time was two or three years ago and I was accompanied by the relatives of Rev. Fr. Romeo 'Bobby' Sabayton, CRS. Although I was glad to be back I was a little sad because I miss the company of Fr. Bob's relatives who were so joyful and kind.

The Old Landmark in Lapu Lapu Shrine

This Shrine is important for every Filipino. It reminds us of our natural desires to be free as a people and as an individual. That no matter how great the enemies or the obstacles are Filipinos will fight to retain their Freedom and Independence.

The Philippine Flag stands tall in the Mactan Shrine

FROM WIKIPEDIA:

Lapu-Lapu was the king of Mactan, an island in the Visayas, Philippines, who is known as the first native of the archipelago to have resisted Spanish colonization. He is now regarded as the first Filipino hero.

On the morning of April 27, 1521, Lapu-Lapu and the men of Mactan, armed with spears, and kampilan, faced Spanish soldiers led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. In what would later be known as the Battle of Mactan, Magellan and several of his men were killed.

According to Sulu oral tradition, Lapu-Lapu was a Muslim chieftain, and was also known as "Kaliph Pulaka". The people of Bangsamoro, the Islamic homeland in the southern Philippine Islands, consider him to be a Muslim and a member of the Tausug ethnic group. A variant of the name, as written by Carlos Calao, a 17th century Chinese-Spanish poet in his poem "Que Dios Le Perdone" (Spanish, "That God May Forgive Him") is "Cali Pulacu".

The 1898 Philippine Declaration of Independence refers to Lapu-Lapu as "King Kalipulako de Maktan".[6] In the 19th century, the reformist Mariano Ponce used a variant name, "Kalipulako", as one of his pseudonyms.

The Modern Structure Housing the Stone Marker and the Large Painting Depicting the Battle of Mactan

Fr. Augie in Mactan Shrine

One of the Roses in the Shrine

The Stone Marker

The Painting Depicting the Battle of Mactan wherein native Chieftain Lapu-Lapu defeated the invading forces led by Ferdinand Magellan. The Battle resulted to the death of Magellan himself.

Actually these paintings presented here are parts of a single large painting. I decided to divide it into several parts.

Fr. Abe near the Shrine's Landmark

The Bahay Kubo or Nipa Hut for visitors to rest

The Shrine's Garden is decorated with old beautifully designed native boats

Very Large Sea Shells and Jars decorate the Garden

Fr. Abe before the Lapu-Lapu Statue

The Symbol of Authority and Military Prowess of Chieftain Lapu-Lapu and his Tribe

A Beautiful Resthouse nearby

The Shrine as seen from the Baywalk

Colorful Boats adorn the Bay