The Mactan Shrine

                 Mactan Shrine

The Mactan Shrine houses three of the prominent landmarks in island. The shrine is a large tower erected in commemoration of the "Battle of Mactan" and the victory over foreign forces.

The area where the shrine stands was believed to be the battle ground where Magellan died. It measures 30 meters high, located few meters away from Shari-la Mactan Island Resort and part of the jurisdiction of Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City.

History

Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer arrived in initially in Homonhon on March 16, 1521 where Rajah Kolambu advised them to take the route to Cebu for trade. On April 7, Magellan arrived in Cebu (formerly named Zugbo) and was successful in converting the ruler of the place, Rajah Humabon with his wife and his men to Christianity.

It was believed the Rajah Humabon and Rajah Lapu-Lapu of Mactan were having dispute over the control of this small thriving island. Humabon prevailed in convincing Magellan to attack the island. Magellan, with his honest mission, wanted to convert Lapu-Lapu and his men to Christianity but in turn, it was rejected.

Magellan sailed on Mactan and arrived in its shores in Punta Engaño, in the northeastern part of Mactan on the break of April 27, 1521. With an army of soldiers, the colonizers were defeated with 1,500 aggressive men of Lapu-Lapu. Magellan was wounded by poisoned arrow and was finished by surrounding spears and swords.

Juan Sebastian Elcano, the second-in-command took over the left the place back to Spain. The body of Magellan was never been recovered despite the attempt to trade jewels and spices.

Both has stories to tell and worthy of recognition. Great thanks to Magellan for the effort of spreading Christianity in the region. Magellan was the first Western explorer to arrive in the country and Lapu-Lapu on the other hand holds the title of the first Filipino hero who resisted Western colonizations.

The Mactan Shrine was intentionally built to commemorate the heroic deeds of Datu Lapu-Lapu and Ferdinand Magellan. It contained three prominent landmarks: the Magellan Marker, the statue of Ferdinand Magellanand the proud statue of Datu Lapu-Lapu.

Lapu-Lapu Monument

Lapu-Lapu Monument is the oldest of the monuments in Cebu province. The effigy portrays the once-chieftain, Datu Lapu-Lapu who believed to the reason of Magellan’s death. Lapu-Lapu was depicted in bronze holding a bolo on one hand and the shield in the other. His bravery epitomized the strong fighting spirit and courage of the Filipino people.

Magellan Marker

The spot where the marker was located was said to be the place where Magellan died and feel in the hands of Lapu-Lapu. Few years after the even happened, Spain colonized the Pihilippines and ordered a marker to be erected in memory of Magellan. The stone erected on 1866 with a note in the marker mark the actual place where the explorer shed his blood.

Magellan Monument

Side by side of the statue of Lapu-Lapu was the monument of Ferdinand Magellan. It was built accordingly on 1866 under the Augustinian priest Simon Aguirre, who the padre cura of Opon (former name of Lapu-Lapu City) on 1857 to 1871.

The shrine was open for public and eventually turned into plaza. Spectators can envisage the entire happening while strolling and watching the statues and painting depicting the history.

The shrine as well holds the annual celebration, the Kadaugan Sa Mactan by Lapu-Lapu City Government. Every April, the re-enactment of the Battle of Mactan by amateur actors is a one sight to behold.

Two reasons to visit Mactan Island especially the Mactan Shrine: its historic significance and the undeniably-good local cuisine, the “Sutokil” or STK. Sutokil stands for Sugba-Towa-Kilaw.. Sinugba is cooked with spices and grilled over direct fire. Towa or Tinola refers cuisine stewed in hot soup and Kilaw or Kinilaw is the local version of the Japanese “sushi”: raw fish in spices and vinegar.

How To Get There

Most common means of transport is by Taxi which usually seen all over the place. If you want to avoid long wait for a taxi, you can ask a taxi to convey you there and will wait for you, of course with higher pay.

From Cebu City, it is just a 30-minute ride and accessible by two bridges connecting Mactan Island and mainland Cebu.

         Suroy-Suroy Sugbo in Mactan Shrine