Panel to plan commemoration of historic 1519-1522 events

Cebuanos hail the heroism of Lapu-Lapu through annual reenactments of the Battle of Mactan, like this one that had professional actors playing Lapu-Lapu and his nemesis, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. CEBU DAILY NEWS PHOTO

President Duterte has ordered the creation of a committee that will plan the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines, Lapu-Lapu’s victory in the Battle of Mactan, and other historic events from 1519 to 1522.

Executive Order No. 55, signed by Mr. Duterte on May 8, mandated the creation of the National Quincentennial Committee, which will submit within six months a plan to organize and synchronize the commemoration of the events.

“The staging of activities in the Philippines for the quincentennial celebration will…highlight our rich cultural and religious heritage as a nation,” the directive said.—JULIE M. AURELIO