LAPU LAPU - A FILIPINO MATTERS PORTRAIT BASIC INFORMATION

Who is Lapu Lapu?

Lapu Lapu - Atapang na tao. (Lapu Lapu - a brave man, the brave man.)

Lapu Lapu is considered as the "The First Asian who defied Europe".

Lapu-Lapu was the first warrior-chief in Asia to defy and defeat an imperial European power. As the dusts in the 1521 historical Battle of Mactan settled down, Lapu-Lapu proved to be an able combat strategist successfully leading his band of warriors against the battle-hardened Spanish conquistadors.

From Cebu, Magellan set out for the nearby island of Mactan upon hearing that its chief was adamant in not paying tribute to the invaders and refusing to pledge allegiance to the King of Spain. The white men had the superiority of arms and military preparedness, but these did not intimidate Lapu-Lapu and his people.

When  Magellan sent word for Lapu-Lapu’s surrender, the Mactan chief stood firm and prepared for war. Magellan attacked by dawn.


Upon learning that the locals only have makeshift bamboo cannons, the invaders disembarked and began their advance. But as they wade ashore, they fell into deep pits dug along the sandy shores full of pointed bamboos.

At this time, the natives then rushed into the clearing, throwing arrows on the trapped Spaniards and engaging the survivors into a fierce sword fight. The natives were good in the art of fighting with bladed weapons, which they called pangamut, a system of fighting using the arnis movement.

They were also proficient in hand-to-hand combat which they referred to as dumog, a native style of unarmed fighting characterized by locking and pinning techniques.

Lapu-Lapu’s men were aware that the armor and steel shields of the enemy did not protect their legs. The natives, then, directed their pointed arrows to this Achilles’ heel. A poisoned arrow struck Magellan’s thigh, prompting him to order a retreat. The legendary navigator fell with Lapu-Lapu’s final blow.

Many of Magellan’s forces were killed during the battle and the death of Magellan further disorganized the beleaguered conquistadores who retreated for their longboats while being pursued by the natives. The gallant stand of Lapu-Lapu against the military superiority of the Spanish conquerors was the first triumph of an Asian people against a European power.

Lapu-Lapu and his men are still viewed today as a strong symbol of native defiance against the white colonizers.