Senator ‘sorry’ for claiming Mactan hero from Mindanao

SEN. Bong Go (right), seen here with Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan (middle) and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea during the celebration of the 500th anniversary of local chieftain Lapulapu’s victory over Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, drew flak when he claimed Lapulapu was a Tausug from Mindanao during his speech at the event. / ALAN TANGCAWAN
SEN. Bong Go (right), seen here with Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan (middle) and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea during the celebration of the 500th anniversary of local chieftain Lapulapu’s victory over Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, drew flak when he claimed Lapulapu was a Tausug from Mindanao during his speech at the event. / ALAN TANGCAWAN

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go apologized to Cebuanos for sharing a version of Lapulapu’s story during the 500th commemoration of the Battle of Mactan on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, in Lapu-Lapu City.

Go, in his speech during the commemoration, quoted Abraham Ibarani-Idjirani’s study on Philippine history that Lapulapu was a Tausug warrior ordered to monitor some islands where foreigners were seen.

The senator’s story of Lapulapu drew the ire of some Cebuanos, as it deviated from the popular narrative of who Lapulapu was.

“Ako po ay taus-pusong humihingi ng paumanhin kung iba ang dating ng aking naikwento. Nais kong klaruhin na buo ang aking respeto sa ating kasaysayan at wala akong intensyong baguhin ang paghanga at paniniwala natin sa buhay ng ating mga bayani. Handa po akong makinig at matuto base sa kaalaman ng mga eksperto sa larangan ng kasaysayan,” he said in a post on his Facebook page.

(I deeply apologize for the way my story came across. I would like to clarify that I respect our history and I have no intention of changing the admiration and belief in the lives of our heroes. I am ready to listen and learn based on the knowledge of our experts on history.)

READ MORE: 500th year of victory at Mactan celebrated

Go clarified that he didn’t intend to change history or to look down on the people’s admiration for heroes with his remark.

According to Go, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines has no clear historical record to prove Lapulapu’s origin, and the different versions of his life are considered part of tradition and culture.

The senator said he will continue to pay tribute to the bravery shown by the country’s forefathers in different generations of the country’s history.

“Let’s leave the debate about facts of history to historians. As Filipinos, let us take to heart the lessons of history that remain relevant in our lives today,” Go added. (MVG)

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