Gabii sa Kabilin 2019: A Visit to Mactan Shrine

My third stop was at Mactan Shrine. This visit has been meaningful to me as a Filipino, because by next year, the Philippines will commemorate the 500th Anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan's Voyage which led them to the shores of Mactan.

This event is significant in Philippine history as it paved the way for Spanish colonization of the Philippines, and bringing along with them the Roman Catholic religion embraced by generations of Filipinos for several centuries.

History books would tell us that Ferdinand Magellan died in that area in Punta Egaño, where the Mactan Shrine is located. The first monument there was erected in 1866 and dedicated to honor the memory of the said Portuguese explorer. 

Magellan Shrine 

National Historical Marker about Ferdinand Magellan 

A latter addition to that shrine was the statue of Lapulapu, a local chieftain, who fought valiantly with Magellan, as he did not want to be conquered by Spain.         

Monument of Lapulapu 

National Historical Marker about Lapulapu. 

What made the shrine more attractive that night were the lighted mangrove trees. I was very impressed by the lighting installations as it added a more festive atmosphere to the historic site.  

Well-lit mangrove trees at night  

The guests to the historic site were welcomed by the serenade of students from an arts school in Cebu. The repertoire of their performance was composed of nicely picked songs.   

Rondalla serenading the visitors to the shrine. 

During the event, a production number was performed about the Battle of Mactan, which they dubbed as "Kadaugan sa Mactan." "Kadaugan sa Mactan" means "Victory in Mactan," as the production number portrays the victory of Lapulapu over Magellan.

Presentation on "Kadaugan sa Mactan." 

Visiting this historic site and watching the play made me more proud as a Filipino. The event only tells us that victory is as imperative as our humanity, and we can achieve both collectively.