ROADS leading to Barangay Punta Engaño in Lapu-Lapu City will be closed starting 7 a.m. today as the city marks the 495th anniversary of Kadaugan sa Mactan (Battle of Mactan).
The City Traffic Operations Management System advised motorists who are bound for Punta Engaño to take the Quezon National Highway then proceed to Asangil Road, which connects Punta Engaño Road.
The reenactment of the Battle of Mactan is at 9:30 a.m.
The Office of the President has declared this day as a special non-working holiday in the Lapu-Lapu City to give way for the residents to celebrate the Kadaugan.
The City will commemorate the Battle of Mactan at the Liberty Shrine.
This year’s reenactment will feature actors Ejay Falcon as Datu Lapu-Lapu, Matt Evans as Magellan, and Bela Padilla as Reyna Bulakna.
In a memorandum, Lapu-Lapu Mayor Paz Radaza informed all City Government officials and employees that attendance of the celebration is compulsory.
President Benigno Aquino III, through his Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, issued Proclamation 1251 last April 12 declaring April 27 as a special non-working holiday.
“The Battle of Mactan is among the significant events in Philippine history and serves as testimony to the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Filipinos. It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Lapu-Lapu be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” the resolution read.
The celebration will start with a mass at 7 a.m., with Rev. Fr. Leonardo Cabrera, parish priest of Nuestra Señora Virgen dela Regla National Shrine in Lapu-Lapu, as the main celebrant.
It will be followed by a floral offering at the shrine of Lapu-Lapu and a 21-gun salute by the members of Philippine Air Force.
Lito Lapid
Former senator Lito Lapid will serve as the guest speaker.
Sunshine Alegre, administrative officer of the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism, Cultural and Historical Commission, said that the City invited Lapid in recognition for the former senator’s role as Lapu-Lapu in a movie.
The reenactment, which will start at 9:30 a.m., is open to the public. The reenactment will last for about 45 minutes.
“Ako lang suggestion mosayo lang sila para makakita sila og lugar (My suggestion is for the spectators to come early to the venue so they could find a good spot to watch the reenactment),” said Alegre.
The City Government has allocated P2.9 million for the week-long celebration. The budget is higher by P400,000 from the previous year.
The celebration include food festival, Rampada, Reyna Bulakna pageant and street party.
Rampada winners
Meanwhile, Barangay Babag defended its title as grand champion (barangay category) for this year’s Rampada after the showdown last Sunday at Hoops Dome, taking home P200,000 cash.
Babag also grabbed the best in costume, headdress, rampa, and most colorful contingent awards.
Choreographer Wilbern Epundulan said his group prepared for the contest for almost two months.
With the concept of “The Last Supper before the Battle of Mactan,” Babag’s 59-dancer contingent defended their crown before the 6,000 crowd inside the Hoops Dome.
Barangays Mactan and Buaya won the second and third prizes, receiving P150,000 and P100,000 respectively, while Barangays Ibo and Pusok won the fourth and fifth places, with P75,000 and P65,000, respectively.
In the open category, the Inayawan Dance Company bagged the grand prize, with P250,000 cash; followed by Bailes de Cordova, receiving P200,000; and Nemesian Dance Theater in third place, with P150,000.
Barangay Looc won the most lively contingent award.
Ten barangays competed in the barangay category and seven contingents in the open category.
Andy Berame, the festival organizer, said that this year’s contingents showed improvements on their performances.
“Daghang new concepts and new innovations ang mga contingents,” Berame said. Dennis Carlo M. Premacio, USJ-R Comm Intern