Legacy and National Significance

     In the battle of Mactan, Lapu-Lapu acted as a defender of his people against the foreign invaders. Angeles notes that “Lapu-Lapu is a national hero, and his victory over Magellan is extolled as a typical example of prehistoric Philippine martial prowess.” Lapu-Lapu’s esteem in the Philippines is enough to warrant a national holiday. In 2017, the Philippine congress passed a bill that marks April 27 as Lapu-Lapu day.

     In the explanatory note to the bill, Senator Richard J. Gordon celebrates Lapu-Lapu as the “first successful defender of the Philippine shores“ and declares Lapu-Lapu as “the first national hero of the Philippines who resisted and repulsed the Spanish invaders and pushed them back to the seas, defending the land he calls home, now part of the Philippine territory". As a byproduct of Magellan’s voyage to the Philippines, a national hero and cultural figure was created.

      The Battle of Mactan holds enduring significance in Philippine history. Lapu-Lapu is revered as a national hero, symbolizing the spirit of resistance and the determination to defend one's homeland. This event foreshadowed the Philippines' long and arduous journey toward independence, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's collective memory.