President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was the guest of honor in the 503rd Kadaugan sa Mactan celebration at the Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City on Saturday, April 27.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan, with Congresswoman Cindi Chan, welcomed the country’s Chief Executive, who was also joined by Senator Lito Lapid, Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr.
The president then led the flag raising ceremony and wreath-laying at the statue of Datu Lapu-Lapu; and witnessed the reenactment of the Battle of Mactan on the very shores where the great chieftain of Mactan and his men vanquished and killed the navigator Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.
President Marcos speaks with pride as he was elated by the spirit of valor and patriotism that still prevails in the hearts of the Cebuanos.
“Ako’y nagagalak na ang diwang makabayan ay buhay na buhay hindi lamang dito sa Mactan, hindi lamang sa Cebu, hindi lamang sa Visayas, kundi sa buong Pilipinas. Ito ay nakikita sa pagtitiwala natin sa ating sariling lakas at paniniwalang nakasalalay sa ating pagpupunyagi ang pag-unlad ng ating bansa,” President Marcos said.
Gov. Gwen, for her part, recalled the history of Spanish colonialism that first started in Cebu; and how the same Spaniards have come back in modern times to invest in Cebu and other parts of the country to help bring progress and development.
“Ang mga Espanyol nga atong gikahadlokan kaniadto ug atong gikasangka, karon kuyog na kanato aron ato pang mapalambo kining atong minahal nga Lapu-Lapu City, minahal nga Probinsiya sa Sugbo, minahal nga Isla sa Sugbo,” Gov. Garcia said.
She noted that the Spanish firm Acciona became instrumental in constructing the 8.5-kilometer Cebu Cordova Link Expressway which connects Cebu City to Mactan Island via Cordova town; as well as in constructing a 150-megawatt solar power plant in Daanbantayan town, a project it undertakes in partnership with the Capitol.
“Their triumph at the Battle of Mactan epitomizes our city’s indomitable spirit and steadfast resolve in the face of adversity,” Mayor Chan said in his speech.
The significance of this day extends beyond the borders of Lapu-Lapu City, as Republic Act No. 11040 designates April 27 as a special non-working holiday in the city and a special working public holiday nationwide, in recognition and in honor of the bravery of Lapu-Lapu and his men. | BJR