Lapu-Lapu Biography

Lapu-Lapu was the chieftain and ruler of Mactan in the Visayas region of the Philippines. He is considered to be the first Filipino hero to have successfully resisted foreign rule. Under his leadership, Mactan warriors defeated the army of the Portuguese voyager Ferdinand Magellan, who was sent on an expedition by the Spanish king. Lapu-Lapu became widely known and revered following the Battle of Mactan, wherein he bravely fought against the voyager and killed him. This triumph postponed the Spanish occupation of the Philippines by nearly 40 years. Lapu-Lapu also rebelled against Rajah Humabon, the king of Cebu, who wanted to welcome foreign rule. Apart from this, very little is known about the Filipino chieftain’s life, and the only documented records were written by Antonio Pigafetta, who was Magellan's diarist. Historian Resil B. Mojares suggests that Lapu-Lapu was never seen by any European who left a historical account. His origin, birth and name are still subjects of debate among scholars and historians. Lapu-Lapu is known by various names like Çilapulapu, Si Lapulapu, Salip Pulaka, Cali Pulaco, and Lapulapu Dimantag since there is no consistent record of his birth. In Antonio Pigafetta's records, he is called Çilapulapu. According to the 'Aginid' chronicles, his name was Lapulapu Dimantag. Several myths and folklore surround Lapu-Lapu's life, including the one suggesting that he never died and was turned into a stone, which is now guarding the Mactan seas. Another urban legend has it that the Lapu-Lapu statue, located at the town plaza, was responsible for the deaths of three mayors. The statue, holding a crossbow, stood opposite to the mayor's office. Since the figure coincidentally aimed at the mayor's office, and three consecutive mayors died of heart attack, the rumour started circulating that Lapu-Lapu was responsible for it. The statue’s crossbow was eventually replaced with a sword.