Why are the beneficiaries of Lapu-Lapu’s heroism not fighting for him?

Narrated by hundreds of books, sung by the millions, the story of Lapu-Lapu vanquishing a foreign invader. The Kadaugan sa Maktan, then called Bahug Bahug sa Maktan, thanks to the wisdom of David “Boy” Odilao, former regional director of Youth and Development and collector of Customs, for his brilliance in staging the first reenactment on April 27, 1979. A history pugilist, Sir Boy is also known as the “Father of the Sinulog Festival” which was first held in 1980. Sir Boy is correct, though he said it diplomatically, but it is time to say the truth, we are a country that is stupidly commemorating defeats. This is what we call, “masochistic patriotism”, we love hurting ourselves. An example is the Araw ng Kagitingan, when it was the fall of Bataan. We repeatedly love to repeat in schools the Battle of Tirad Pass, wherein the shrewd self-declared President, General Emilio Aguinaldo, ordered the boy general, Gregorio del Pilar to defend the pass, facing a certain death, so that he could escape from the Americans.

The Kadaugan sa Maktan is the first and only event where Cebuanos celebrate the victory of a native against a foreigner. Lapu-Lapu fought an invader so militarily advanced that it should have cowed the heart and shaken the knees of a defender. But such was not the case, Lapu-Lapu, the Sugboanon fought and won.

Ironically 500 years after the battle, a stranger to Cebu, a national official desecrated the historical pride of the Cebuanos proudly displaying historical ignorance by claiming that Lapu-Lapu is not a native of Maktan. National officials mostly pseudo-historians, who were present, kept silent, what is worse no official from the city named in his honor stood up for Lapu-Lapu.

Is bravery dead in Lapu-Lapu? Let it be clear, we may be civil but we should be dignified and send a message that there must be a limit to stupidity and arrogance. The only remedy, after the commission of the crime of the national official ironically abetted by fools --Imperial Manila-licking politicians-- is for the city to come up with a legislated biography of Lapu-Lapu and the narration of the battle. If they will not do it now, it is a validation that the bravery and heroism of Lapu-Lapu and his soldiers are buried in their graves.