'Battle of Mactan' remembered

Local

HISTORY was retold on the shoreline of Mactan as performers staged the Battle of Mactan reenactment during the 505th Kadaugan sa Mactan commemoration on Monday, April 27.

Model-actor Elcid Camacho, Mr Universe 2022 and Hari ng Sugbo 2018 titleholder, led the performance as Datu Lapu-Lapu, while actor Veanz Matutinao portrayed Ferdinand Magellan.

Former Star Magic artist Akiko Solon played Reyna Bulakna. The reenactment unfolded in choreographed combat scenes along the shoreline that dramatized the 1521 clash.

The staging recreated the historic defeat of Magellan, drawing crowds into a live retelling of one of the country’s most defining battles.

A wreath-laying ceremony opened the commemoration at the Liberty Shrine in Barangay Mactan, led by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King-Chan together with Lone District Rep. Junard “Ahong” Chan, Vice Mayor Celedonio Sitoy, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Director Agosto Daskeo, and Department of Education Central Visayas Director Arturo Bayocot, representing Education Secretary Edgardo “Sonny” Angara.

Daskeo reported an estimated crowd of 2,500 and confirmed no untoward incidents during the event.

The city government used the commemoration to push a message of unity and peace amid global tensions.

“In these trying times, the lesson of Mactan becomes ever more relevant. Just as Lapu-Lapu united his people against a common enemy, we too must rise above division and partisanship,” Chan said.

King-Chan called for collective action, stressing the need for unity over division in addressing public concerns.

The celebration proceeded despite earlier casting changes after social media influencer Crissa “Habibi” Liaging withdrew from her role as Reyna Bulakna, a move that also led her husband Shaun Pelayo to step out of the production.

Liaging earlier explained that she withdrew for personal reasons, citing the need to step back from public life following a distressing personal experience.

Camacho, who took on the role of Lapu-Lapu, said in a post-interview that he immediately accepted the part despite initially being considered an alternative.

He admitted he had limited time to prepare for the role, including working on his physique, which he said was far from his condition during his male pageant competitions.

"I think every Filipino man siguro, every [lalaki] wants to become strong, nag-idolize to become Lapu-Lapu. So, paghatag ani sa akoa wala'y question," he said.

"Ang role alone is already a win for me... It's a privilege, so wala gyud ko'y reason to say no," Camacho added.(MyTVCebu)