Odilao shut out from “Kadaugan”

CEBU, Philippines — The Lapu-Lapu City government allegedly shut out the founder of the now famous “Kadaugan sa Mactan” from taking part of the program last Saturday.

David Odilao, Jr. admitted he felt insulted by the refusal of the city government for him and his organization to join in the floral offering at the Lapu-Lapu monument to commemorate the 498th anniversary of the Battle of Mactan.

"This is one of the greatest insults that I have ever received from a local government official... wreath-laying can be done anytime and would take only 10 minutes or less. Requesting for permission to allow the floral offering is only a matter of courtesy to the local government officials," Odilao wrote in statement.

The socio-civic organization Fraternal Order of Eagles Philippines, to which Odilao was former president, asked Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza to allow them to participate in the program as the organization will also be celebrating its 40th anniversary. In a letter dated April 25, the organization asked that they be allowed to offer flowers at the Lapu-Lapu monument.

"...in a brash reply by Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Officer Hembler Mendoza, 'Mr. Odilao cannot be allowed to lay the wreath because he is not part of the program of activities'... I never expected this, an insult to the founder of the activity that the City of Lapu-Lapu celebrates every year," Odilao said.

Odilao conceptualized the "Bahug-Bahug sa Mactan," which is the reenactment of the battle between the forces of Ferdinand Magellan and Lapu Lapu.

Mendoza explained that the reenactment is a separate program of the commemoration. And besides, the commemoration, now in its 498th year, differs from the reenactment, he added.

Mendoza said he talked with one of the organization members over the phone last April 25 (Thursday) and he explained that there are certain protocols that have to be followed.

He said one of the main highlights of the commemoration is the offering of flowers to the monument, which the keynote or guest speaker gets to grace the ceremonial wreath laying.

This year’s speaker was National Historical Commission of the Philippines chair Rene Escalante. Mendoza added that it was also the military that hosted the commemoration and all the events were already planned and prepared since December 2018.

Mendoza said Odilao’s group only informed the organizers of their intention two days before the event. He clarified that Odilao and his group were not turned down because they were allowed to offer flowers after the program. (FREEMAN)