Duterte orders change of name of hero Lapu-Lapu to Lapulapu

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the change when referring to Filipino hero Lapu-Lapu to Lapulapu.

Dutrerte signed on Monday Executive Order No. 152 directing government agencies and government-own and -controlled corporations, and state universities and colleges to adopt “Lapulapu” when referring to the name of the first Filipino hero.

Local government units, non-government organizations, civil society groups, and the private sector are likewise enjoined to do the same.

Under the EO, Duterte reasoned that the rendering of the name Lapulapu is to “conform to earlier references” since the earliest rendering in the Latin alphabet of the name of the hero of Mactan is “Cilapulapu.”

“Adopting a common rendering of the name of Lapulapu, so as to conform to earlier references, will aid in the education of our youth about Philippine history which is foundational to the formation of national identity,” the EO read.

The EO also said that official names of places such as Lapu-Lapu City, “having been established by statute,” will be respected.

Lapulapu is known to refer to the “Filipino here who bravely and victoriously fought in the Battle of Mactan in the 16th century.”

EO No. 152 amends EO No. 17 and EO No. 55 which created the Order of Lapu-Lapu, an award given to government officials and employees as well as private individuals who rendered extraordinary or invaluable experience.

This is in relation to a campaign or advocacy of the President and the National Quincentennial Committee (NCQ), which was tasked to spearhead the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines that include events celebrating the victory in the Battle of Mactan, respectively.

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