Adlaw ni Lapu-Lapu

NOONG Abril 27, 1521, nagapi nina Lapu-Lapu ang grupo ni Ferdinand Magellan sa dalampasigan ng Mactan island.

Ang naturang sagupaan ang itinuturing na kauna-unahang pakikidigma at pagwawagi ng mga Pilipino laban sa unang bugso ng pananakop ng mga Kastila sa ating bansa.

Kaugnay nito, isinusulong ni Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada ang Senate Bill 1981 (An Act to declare April 27 of every year as a special non-working holiday throughout the country to commemorate the victory of Lapu-Lapu and his men over the Spaniards led by Fernando de Magallanes in the historic Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521, to be known as “Lapu-Lapu Day” or “Adlaw ni Lapu-Lapu.”)

Ayon kay Jinggoy, “This victory… catapulted Lapu-Lapu, the King of Mactan, into the limelight of history as the first Filipino hero and first Southeast Asian hero. Ginugunita natin tuwing ika-siyam ng Abril kada taon ang tinaguriang ‘defeat and surrender of U.S. and Filipino Forces’ sa Bataan at Corregidor... there is more reason to commemorate the successful exploit of Lapu-Lapu and his warriors on April 27 of every year.”

Iginiit niya na ang Battle of Mactan ang “first successful defense of the Philippine freedom against foreign invaders and the first recorded triumph of the Filipino forces over superior western firepower.”

Alinsunod sa panukala, “To ensure a meaningful observance of the holiday as herein declared, all heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, including government owned and controlled corporations as well as local government units, and employers in the private sector shall encourage and afford sufficient time and participate in any activity conducted in their respective localities to celebrate Lapu-Lapu Day or Adlaw ni Lapu-Lapu.”