Matsunaga as Lapu, Agassi as Magellan in ‘Kadaugan’

CEBU, Philippines - Two TV personalities and a former beauty queen will portray the three main roles in the annual "Kadaugan sa Mactan" reenactment which plays out the epic 1521 battle between Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and Cebuano hero Datu Lapu-Lapu and his wife Bulakna.

Filipino actor and member of ABS-CBN talent Carlos Agassi will portray Magellan while Daniel Matsunaga, a Brazilian-Japanese model and actor, will be this year's Datu Lapu-Lapu.

The Lapu-Lapu role was previously played by boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and actors Philip Salvador and Richard Quan.

Meanwhile, performing this year as Lapu-Lapu's wife Reyna Bulakna is Filipina beauty queen Venus Raj who finished fourth runner-up in Miss Universe 2010.

City Mayor Paz Radaza said the Tourism Commission of Lapu-Lapu decided to invite Matsunaga, Agassi and Raj as added attractions to this year's celebration which will happen April 27.

The reenactment of Kadaugan, a commemoration of the country's first resistance to foreign occupation, will take place at the Mactan Liberty Shrine. It will be the 14th edition since the tradition started during the time of former Cebu customs collector David Odilao.

Kadaugan means "victory" in English.

As the city busies itself on the rigorous preparations, the Tourism Commission and Kadaugan sa Mactan committee vowed to work hard for the success of this year's celebration.

Resorts and hotel owners in Lapu-Lapu City already expressed their full support to the fete.

Kadaugan is an annual event organized by the Lapu-Lapu Tourism, Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission headed by Tourism Chief Hembler Mendoza, Tourism Chairman Damian Gomez, Jr. and Co-Chairman Harry Radaza. (FREEMAN)