THOUSANDS of individuals witnessed the reenactment of the Kadaugan sa Mactan, reminding them of the heroic defense by the first recorded Filipino hero against foreign invaders 504 years ago.
Lapu-Lapu City commemorated the 504th Kadaugan sa Mactan on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Mactan Shrine, with the theme “Celebrating Victory, Honoring History.”
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan told reporters after the event on Sunday that this year’s performance attracted the largest crowd, with about 5,000 attendees, marking a historic turnout for the festivity.
Chan, in his speech, said Datu Lapulapu’s bravery has symbolized Filipino resistance to Spanish colonization.
“The victory in Mactan is emblematic of Filipino resistance against the power of domination. Our commemoration at Mactan fosters a sense of culture, pride, and identity among us Filipinos, and it likewise honors indigenous leaders like Lapulapu,” said Chan.
Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, the guest of honor, emphasized in her speech the importance of investing in education, infrastructure, and healthcare to propel the nation’s development.
Reflecting on the historic Victory of Mactan in 1521, she reminded the audience that the security shaped by Filipino heroes should not be confined to the past, but must extend into the present and future.
She said aside from external threats, the nation must protect its freedom from internal divisions caused by “deceit and misinformation.”
“The anniversary of the Victory of Mactan is more than a cause of celebration; it is special time for reflection on our shared identity. For us, it serves as a source of pride and inspiration knowing that on this land over 504 years ago Filipinos stood up against oppression and foreign rule,” said Pangandaman.
The annual cultural event was attended by officials including National Historical Commission of the Philippines Deputy Executive Director for Programs and Projects Alvin Alcid, Naval Forces Central Commander Joselito de Guzman, and Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative Cynthia “Cindi” King-Chan.
A wreath-laying rites at the monument of Lapulapu was led by Pangandaman and the officials.
Culture, heritage
Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Office head Garry Lao, in a separate interview, said the City Government has allocated P12.4 million for the 504th Kadaugan sa Mactan festivities, which kicked off last April 4.
Lao attributed the success of the reenactment to the efforts of everyone involved, including the 200 performers, production team, the clean and green team, and City Hall employees.
Lao, who was a first-timer in organizing the Kadaugan sa Mactan event, said the limited rehearsal time was a challenge.
He also said the portrayals of Datu Lapulapu by model Shaun Pelayo, Reyna Bulakna by Filipino content creator Crissa Liaging, and Ferdinand Magellan by Belgian model Kevin Lahousse, were a fitting tribute to the casting.
“We promised that we will offer something fresh and new to the Oponganons…We offered something new to our production to the Kadaugan sa Mactan,” said Lao.
Chan also reiterated that casting Pelayo and Liaging was a “good choice” as both individuals have Filipino roots.
The street and grand cultural dance event, Sadsad sa Kadaugan 2025, kicked off after the reenactment. It showcased the participation of all 30 barangays of Lapu-Lapu City, including Olango Island.
Crowd control
The Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) reported no untoward incidents during the reenactment.
LCPO spokesman Lt. Col. Christian Torres said the incident where Pelayo and Liaging were surrounded by a crowd on stage was a normal occurrence.
He explained that such situations are common on celebrities and assured the public that the individuals involved had personal bodyguards for their protection.
Torres said 130 police officers and force multipliers were deployed during the three-hour event.