Troy Montero, Polo Ravales helm ‘Kadaugan sa Mactan’

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City’s tourism officials agree that alot of local talents can effectively 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.

But they choose to utilize stars from Manila simply to draw a sizeable crowd, said Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Chairman Damian T. Gomez during a press conference yesterday at Mactan’s Isla Resort and Spa announcing this year’s featured actors and line-up of Kadaugan activities.

The April 27 commemoration of the country’s first resistance to foreign occupation happening at the Mactan Liberty Shrine will be the city’s 13th edition.

Fil-Am actor Troy Montero, last seen playing a bit role in ABS-CBN’s “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw,” will portray Magellan, while Polo Ravales of GMA7’s current afternoon drama “Unforgettable” will be this year’s Datu Lapu-Lapu, a role previously done by boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and actors Philip Salvador and Richard Quan.

Performing as Lapu-Lapu’s wife Reyna Bulakna is Viva Films bombshell Yam Concepcion, who presently appears in ABS-CBN’s new afternoon series “Dugong Buhay.”

Concepcion, a Multimedia arts graduate from De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, started out as a drummer and vocalist for a rock band called Ursa Minor. A talent manager saw the musician in one of her gigs, who then took her to Viva for a possible management contract.

Viva apparently saw promise in Concepcion, because they launched her in the steamy film “Rigodon” shown in late 2012. Dubbed as an Anjanette Abayari look-alike, Viva Films is said to be positioning Yam as this generation’s premiere symbol of titillation, “groomed in the mold of Cristine Reyes.”

Meanwhile, a total of 35 Lapu-Lapu hotels and restaurants will participate in the Kadaugan sa Mactan Food Festival beginning April 19-25 at the Mactan Liberty Shrine. Live bands, a flair-tending competition, and an Eco Runway Fashion Show featuring the designs of Danny Booc will also entertain spectators nightly.

Kadaugan sa Mactan is an annual event of the Lapu-Lapu Tourism, Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission headed by Tourism Chief Hembler V. Mendoza, Tourism Chairman Damian T. Gomez, Jr. and co-chairman Hon. Harry A. Radaza, with the support of Mayor Paz Radaza and other city officials. (FREEMAN)