P2M raised to fund Kadaugan sa Mactan

The Lapu-Lapu City government raised around P2 million, which includes contributions from the private sector, to fund the activities lined up in this year's 475th commemoration of the "Kadaugan sa Mactan".

Councilor Damian Gomez, chairman of the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism, Cultural, and Historical Affairs Commission, said that the city government has allocated an amount of P1.2 million for the celebration.

The private sector raised more than P400,000 while pledges from other government agencies also reached more than P400,000, he said.

Gomez also said owners of beach resorts and hotels in Lapu-Lapu expressed support by spearheading a food festival.

Mactan barangay captain Paz Radaza, wife of Mayor Arturo Radaza, said they tapped different sectors to assist them with the preparations for the said affair, most especially with the scheduled visit of President Arroyo.

Arroyo is scheduled to grace the event on April 27, the day of the historic battle between Datu Lapu-Lapu and Ferdinand Magellan. Arroyo graced the same affair last year.

Rudy Villanobos, administrative officer of the tourism commission, said that the celebration was stretched to a week-long observance that runs from April 20 and to culminate on the 27th with reenactment of the battle to be preceded by religious, civic, and military programs at the Liberty Shrine.

The week-long activities include among others a daily food festival, drum and bugle corps showdown and street dancing parade, nightly live band shows, wood carving contest, cross-channel swimming competition and baroto race, painting exhibits, oratorical contest, beauty pageant, fireworks display, mini agri-fair, and jobs fair.

Other activities include mobile passporting with the support of the Department of Finance, National Bureau of Investigation, and National Statistics Office; Operation Tuli, search for Southern Star and a post victory search for Ms. South Pacific.

Villanobos said this year Raje Palanca, who directed last year the Kadaugan sa Mactan, will introduce a new concept in the dramatization of Lapu-Lapu's preparation for the battle.

The scenario, according to Villanobos, will depict how Lapu-Lapu and his men implored the spirits of the dead or "anitos" before going to battle.

"This will happen on the evening of the 25th and 26th of April. It is called the pre-battle ritual complete with lights and sounds and the pagan practices that could have happened during Lapu-Lapu's reign in Mactan," he said. - Jose P. Sollano