Lapu-Lapu City ("Opon")

"OPONGANON AKO"

History of Mactan

Before the island was named “Mactan Island or Lapu-Lapu City” , it is known as “Opon or opong ” the local word for cogon grass that is abundant in the island. Mactan Island is an island located at the east of Cebu and known for its history being the site of the so called “Battle of Mactan”, the first violent incident between native Filipinos and Europeans. The Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, met his death in a surprise ambush at the hands of the tribesmen under the local chieftain Lapu-Lapu. Mactan Island is an island that is still belong to Cebu, which belong to the region VII. The island is connected to mainland Cebu by two (2) bridges, the old Mactan-Mandaue Bridge and the second Marcelo Fernan Bridge which span the Cebu Strait. The presence of two bridges has greatly improved the accessibility between Lapu-Lapu City and other areas in the Province of Cebu.+

Lapu-lapu City is one of the most important cities in Cebu province. It is a city located in Central Philippines and covers a vast area under its domain. Lapu-lapu City, Cebu has a long and rich historical and cultural background. The place was initially known as Mactan and was renamed as Lapu-lapu City in 1961. The city is named after Lapu-lapu, a renowned figure in Philippine's history who defeated Ferdinand Magellan in early 16th century.

Both Lapu-lapu City and Cebu city are a part of the Visayan Islands. Lapu-lapu City is well connected to Cebu mainly via cruises and ferries that ply between the two cities in Philippines. Located to the eastern side of Cebu, the place has developed into a major tourist hub in Philippines. Tourists may opt for short excursions from Cebu City to Lapu-lapu city, which may range from one to three days. These excursions are very interesting as there are many places that can be explored in Lapu-lapu City.

Lapu-lapu City in Cebu is a major hub of trade and commerce in the country. The city has a port and an industrial center that has enhanced the importance of the place to a great extent. The location of the city has helped in developing the place as a major business center. The tourism industry has also flourished wonderfully well in the city. The place abounds in immense natural beauty. There are pristine beaches as well as coral reefs in close proximity to the Lapu-lapu City at Cebu. 

Apart from nature, there are various other attractions in Lapu-lapu City, which are frequented by large numbers of travelers and tourists. Some of the most popular tourist destinations are as follows:

• Maribago Blue Waters
• Cebu Yacht Club
• Cebu Light Industrial Park
• Plantation Bay Resort & Spa
• Marcelo Fernan Bridge Park
• Lapu-Lapu and Magellan Shrines
• Mactan Coral Golf Club
• Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort and Spa
• Vano Beach
• Mactan Export Processing Zone

Political Subdivision 

Lapu-Lapu City is one of the 3 cities comprising METRO CEBU. An independent component city, it is composed of 30 barangays with 19 located in mainland Mactan island and 8 barangays at Olango Island and the 3 barangay islets of Caubian, Pangan-an, and Caohagan. 

Area 

Total land area of the city is approximately 6,422 hectares of which 5,400 ha. is the area of the 19 barangays in the mainland of Mactan and 1,022 ha. is the combined area of Olango Island, Pangan-an, the 2 Caubian islsets and Caohagan. Approximately 1,300 hectares of mainland Lapu-Lapu City is used for the airport, 1,067 hectares is used for the airbase and 199 hectares is now the PEZA (previously MEPZ). Recently, 100 hectares from the area of the airbase was developed into PEZA II. 

The People 

Based on a 1996 census, the city has a total population of 205,709. The barangay with the highest population is Gun-ob (in the mainland) with a population of 22,885, the lowest population is 342 in the islet of Caohagan. 

Topography 

Made up entirely of hard coral rock. Actually 40% of the total area is of rocky terrain. Loam soil, if any is scarce. The place is characterized by beautiful beaches on one side of the island and deep harbors along the coast facing Cebu. 

Climate and Rainfall 

There are 2 main types of climates - the first is characterized by a pronounced maximum rain period with no dry season, the second by a short pronounced rain period with a short dry season lasting from 3 to 4 months often occuring from March to May. The City is not located within the typhoon belt, hence typhoons seldom affect the place. 

Government 

A first-class city with an annual income of 400 millinon. The seat of government is in PUSOK along the Quezon National Highway, 200 meters form the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge. 

ELECTRIC POWER, WATER SUPPLY AND COMMUNICTAION FACILITIES 

Mainland Lapu-Lapu City, including Olango Island is supplied with power by National Power Corporation through Mactan Electric Company. The main sources of potable water is from deep wells and from Metro Cebu Water District. Communication facilities are provided by PLDT. 

 A Legendary Past

A Hero's Rise

Dawn of April of 1521, Mactan shores became restless as Spanish cannons roared upon the Island Villages. Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer working for the Spaniards, came to Mactan to demand from Lapu-Lapu to pay taxes and to convert to Christianity. But to Magellan's surprise, Lapu-Lapu denied. Knowing this, Magellan then invaded Mactan. Magellan expected for a quick victory by relying on his sheer artillery power and riflemen. But a force of a thousand natives with spears, and swords, and poison sticks forced the enemy to a rout. Then the tide turns. Magellan was already fatally wounded when he ordered his soldiers to pull back. But Magellan was killed before they could react. Magellan's body was never recovered back despite the efforts to buy the body from the natives. The Battle of Mactan was the first war won by local natives against the Spaniards and making Lapu-Lapu, the first Filipino Hero.

The Spanish Era

In 1591, Mactan has passed on to colonial rule. Together with Camotes Islands formed encomienda subject to the City of Santisimo Nombre de Dios Cebu . Opon then became the seventh town founded by the Augustian fathers. In 1736, the Icon of the Blessed Virgin of the Rule was brought to Opon by Fr. Fransisco Aballe, Opon's first Parish Priest. He also built the Magellan monument of Mactan while in 1872m Fray Benito Perez constructed the first case municipal. By 1899, the Spaniards turned over the Philippines to the United States after Spain 's defeat in the Spanish-American War.

The American Era

In 1903, Facundo Patalinjug was elected as Town President of Opon in the first popular election under the Americans. In 1907, Pascual de la Serna was elected Town President. In 1908, the Twon acquired the site of the Town Plaza from the catholic church. The same year, Phil. Refining Co, Standard Oil Co., Texaco & HOA HIN started operation. In 1916, The Irish Redemptionist fathers founded St. Alphonsus Catholic School, but in 1921, the Benedictine Sisters took charge.

The Path to Industrialization

On June 17, 1961 , the former town of Opon officialy became a Chartered City under Republic Act 3134 and named after Lapu-Lapu, the hero of Mactan. Factories and Buildings rose through the skies. Large companies filled the City. The General Milling Corporation, who started operation at the same year. In 1966, The Mactan International Airport came to service. The Mactan Export Processing Zone also strated operation with 5 industrial firms namely: TMX Phils, Fairchild, Mactan Apparel, Eltra Asia Pacific, A.M. Cable & TV Industries at 1978.