President Marcos has called on Filipinos to rise against modern-day oppressors and uphold Lapulapu’s legacy of patriotism that has been passed on for generations.
Marcos said this as the country commemorates Lapulapu Day on April 27, the day he killed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan at the Battle of Mactan in 1521.
In his message, the President urged Filipinos, especially the youth, to continue embracing the ideals of Lapulapu and the wealth of the Philippine heritage as the country shifts to a “Bagong Pilipinas.”
“The challenge now for all, especially the youth, is to continue embracing his (Lapulapu) ideals and the wealth of our heritage as we realize a ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ that is built on the foundations of the liberty and freedom that he and all our other heroes fought hard for,” he said.
President Marcos asked Filipinos to emulate Lapulapu’s valor, bravery, and boldness, as he described the Battle of Mactan as the epitome of the “indomitable Filipino spirit.”
Although hundreds of years have passed, the President said Lapulapu remains a symbol of bravery and honor during modern times.
“It shows every generation how a force that is rooted in community, courage, and integrity can destroy even the strongest of opponents,” he said
“The same is what the nation needs today. Despite being in a world incomparable to that of Lapulapu, we are called to rise against our modern-day oppressors – greed, selfishness, and divisiveness – and uphold the legacy of patriotism that has been passed onto us through the years,” he added.
Republic Act (RA) No. 11040 declares the 27th of April every year as a special nonworking holiday in the City of Lapu-Lapu and a special working public holiday throughout the country to commemorate the victory of Lapulapu and his men over the Spaniards in the historic Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521.
