Battle of Mactan rites to push through despite pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — The commemoration of Filipino heroism in the Battle of Mactan 500 years ago will proceed this year despite the pandemic.

This was according to National Historical Commission of the Philippines chair and National Quincentennial Committee vice chair Rene Escalante, who said officials would make sure the events would abide by the government’s health rules.

One of the events that could be expected later this month is the 100-day countdown to the commemoration of Filipinos’ victory in the Battle of Mactan.

The quincentennial commemoration, with the theme Victory and Humanity, would highlight the goodness and hospitality of the Filipinos when the expedition led by Ferdinand Magellan, landed on Philippine shores in March 1521, Escalante said.

“This is one trait of Filipinos that I think we need to continue and to show to the world because this is an element of our culture that we need to strengthen and by which we are recognized,” he said in an interview aired over PTV4 and Radyo Pilipinas.

“Victory” is also part of the theme because the commemoration is meant to inspire Filipinos to uphold the country’s sovereignty and independence, he said.

Another event is an art competition that has since received more than 400 entries, he said.

The winners in each category would receive P500,000 and have their works displayed at the Lapu-Lapu museum, built to commemorate the local chieftain who led in the battle that resulted in the death of Magellan.

Later this month, the 100-day countdown to the D-day of the commemoration would begin in Lapu-Lapu City, he said.

In March, a ship from Spain will dock in the Philippines as part of its journey to trace the route that Magellan followed. It will first dock in Samar and then proceed to Cebu. If there is still time left, it will go to Manila.

The biggest event would be the commemoration of the Philippine victory in the Battle of Mactan on April 27 when a military parade and cultural presentations will be held in Lapu-Lapu on that day.

In Manila, there will be a cultural night at the newly restored Metropolitan Theater.

Escalante said the National Quincentennial Committee would also lay markers at the places where the Magellan expedition landed.

The last activity will be an international conference on different aspects of the expedition and Philippine events at that time.

The public can watch the activities online or through televised broadcast.