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Friday, April 28, 2006
Arroyo visit moves Kadaugan sked
For the first time in many years, the reenactment of the battle between local hero Lapu-Lapu and Portuguese explorer Ma-gellan was held midday to accommodate the schedule of President Arroyo who graced the 485th Kadaugan sa Mactan.
Many of the guests, though, including the President’s cabinet could not help but giggle when, at the climax of the reenactment, the play’s narrator inadvertently announced “...and Lapu-Lapu fell into the waters.”
“Cebu killed the first tourist in the Philippines,” Arroyo said, borrowing the favorite joke of former governor Pablo Garcia describing the Battle of Mactan.
“Lapu-Lapu’s victory here is also our victory,” said Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza in his welcome speech yesterday.
But unlike in the past when foreign invaders were considered foes, the President said the country’s enemy now is poverty.
She said Cebu, along with Bohol, is among the country’s top tourist destinations and more tourists are expected to visit Lapu-Lapu City and the rest of Cebu after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in December.
She hopes that Cebu is ready with its hospitality for the summit.
Previous Kadaugan sa Mactan celebrations scheduled the reenactment early in the morning or past 7 a.m., just as the tide is starting to rise.
Yesterday’s reenactment started almost 11 a.m., with Lapu-Lapu and Magellan, as well as their respective troops, fighting in waist-deep waters off the shores of Mactan.
Councilor Damian Gomez admitted that they purposely delayed yesterday’s activities, including the mass, wreath-laying and 21-gun salute, because the President was scheduled to arrive at 10 a.m. yet.
It was only after Arroyo’s speech that they started the reenactment, which ended past 11 a.m.
This was the second time for Arroyo to attend Lapu-Lapu City’s Kadaugan sa Mactan. But when she first witnessed it in 2004, she arrived early in the morning so the reenactment followed its usual schedule.
Among those who joined the President were Portuguese Ambassador Jao Cayetano de Silva, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Reps. Antonio Cuenco and Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor, Government Media Group Secretary Cerge Remonde and former senator John “Sonny” Osmeña. (ROV)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 28, 2006 issue)
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