Philippines | 1969 | 1 Sentimo | Lapu-Lapu

 





Lapu-Lapu 

He was a ruler of Mactan in the Visayas, Philippines, known as the first native to resist Spanish colonization and the killer of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. He is considered the first Filipino hero. Other names include Çilapulapu, Si Lapulapu, Salip Pulaka, Cali Pulaco, and Lapulapu Dimantag.

Before the Spanish arrival, Lapu-Lapu was recorded in pre-colonial chronicles written in Aginid, Bayok sa Atong Tawarik (1952) by Jovito Abellana. The chronicles trace the Rajahnate of Cebu to Sri Lumay, a prince from the Hindu Chola dynasty of Sumatra. His sons ruled nearby communities, and the region was known as Pulua Kang Dayang. Sri Lumay defended the area from Moro raiders, giving rise to the name Sugbo ("scorched earth").

Sri Lumay’s son, Sri Bantug, succeeded him but died of an epidemic, and his son Rajah Humabon became ruler. Cebu evolved into a major trading center, its harbors called sinibuayng hingpit, later shortened to Cebu.

Lapu-Lapu arrived from Borneo and requested settlement from Humabon, who gave him Mandawili (Mandaue) and Opong (Opon, now Mactan). Lapu-Lapu cultivated the land, boosting trade in Cebu, but later turned to piracy, raiding merchant ships, which led to Opong being nicknamed Mangatang ("bandit"), eventually evolving into Mactan.



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