FORMER senator and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is set to portray Datu Lapulapu in the reenactment of the historic Battle of Mactan during the upcoming 504th Kadaugan sa Mactan celebration.
Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Office head Garry Lao announced in a press conference on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, that prominent figures are taking on the roles of Datu Lapulapu and Reyna Bulakna.
Aside from Pacquiao playing Datu Lapulapu, vlogger and businesswoman Crissa Liaging, popularly known as Habibi, will be portraying Reyna Bulakna, Lao revealed.
He said that Pacquiao, cast for the third time, offered to portray Datu Lapulapu and waived his talent fee, while Habibi was selected as Reyna Bulakna for her personality and physique.
Lao emphasized that while an import will be featured in the portrayals, over 200 warriors and performers, including the one portraying Ferdinand Magellan, are all local.
The reenactment of the historic victory will take place at the Mactan Liberty Shrine on April 27, at 8 a.m.
When asked if the festival will serve as a campaign platform for Pacquiao, Lao said the reenactment of the 504th Kadaugan sa Mactan will focus on honoring history, not personalities.
“We anticipated that, most especially this is election season… We can assure that the reenactment will focus not on the personality but on the celebration of the 504th Kadaugan sa Mactan,” he said.
Sen. Sonny Angara, Department of Education secretary, is set to be the guest of honor, pending confirmation.
Activities
The 504th Kadaugan sa Mactan will kick off on Friday, April 4, with the Kadaugan sa Mactan: Food, Fashion and Festivities, featuring 49 participating barangays and representatives from the private sector showcasing their products in stalls.
Lao urged exhibitors to price their products affordably to ensure that everyone can enjoy and experience local offerings.
A lively street dance festival, Sadsad sa Kadaugan, will feature 10 contingents from 30 barangays in Lapu-Lapu City that will showcase their dances through a ritual showdown, said Lao.
The event will be held at the Mactan Newtown on April 27.
Lao added that the City Government has allocated a P500,000 cash subsidy to each cluster with a P1 million cash prize awaiting the champion.
The Kadaugan sa Mactan is an annual event honoring the historic Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521. / DPC