Radaza declares “another victory” for Oponganons

CEBU, Philippines - The announcement from a diaper company that it will pull out it commercial which the Lapu-Lapu City government claimed as a mockery of history is another victory for the Oponganons.

This was according to Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza during yesterday’s reenactment of the Battle of Mactan wherein the country’s first hero, Datu Lapu-Lapu, won 492 years ago against Portuguese conqueror Ferdinand Magellan.

Radaza said that after a few weeks of fighting against the EQ diaper commercial for “distorting and mocking” the heroism of Datu Lapu-Lapu and his men, she is glad that last Monday, the city government received a letter that the National Historical Commission issued a cease and desist order against the manufacturer of  EQ diapers.

Aside from the pullout of what it feels as an offensive commercial, the city also asked for public apology. The manufacturer did this through a post at their website.

 â€œJS Unitrade would like to assure the public that our company values the opinions expressed by the Lapu-lapu City officials over the EQ Plus Baby Diaper TV commercial depicting the historical characters of Datu Lapu-lapu, Reyna Bulakna and Ferdinand Magellan. Out of courtesy to Lapu-lapu City and its officials, the Cebuanos and the Oponganons, we will discontinue airing the said ads,” the company stated.

However, even with the cease and desist order last Monday, Radaza said she continues to receive information that the commercial was still aired and because of this, she will be discussing with the city legal officer the legal moves that the city will take to totally stop the airing.

Yesterday’s 11th year of the reenactment of the “Kadaugan sa Mactan” lasted 30 minutes, which Radaza considered as a long presentation.

As early as 6 a.m., Oponganons already gathered at the Liberty Shrine in Mactan to witness the reenactment performed by showbiz personalities Polo Ravales who played the role of Datu Lapu-Lapu, Troy Montero as Ferdinand Magellan and Jam Concepcion as Reyna Bulakna.

However, the reenactment only started at 9:40 a.m. as they waited for the high tide.

Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Director Rey Lyndon Lawas said there was an estimated 10,000 people including residents, balikbayans and tourists. Most people were thrilled to see the movie actors in their roles.

The event opened with a Holy Mass at the Liberty Shrine.

Radaza said that the battle continues to be a rallying point for the Cebuanos and Oponganons in particular.

“Mapasalamaton ako sa diaper manufacturer kay ilang gidungog atong awhag nga i pull-out ang ilang tv advertisement nga nagbugal-bugal ni Lapu-Lapu og sa Battle of Mactan,” said Mayor Radaza.

“We all stood up to demand respect for our proud history. Together we waged a battle and like our forefathers we won it,” the mayor added, calling for a continued fight to preserve our culture and heritage.

For her part, Cynthia Lazo, director for planning and promotions of the Department of Tourism Central Office, said that the Cebuanos should be proud because the Kadaugan sa Mactan is the first recorded battle won by the Filipinos.

She also cited the need to promote culture and history to attract visitors. — /JPM (FREEMAN)