Mactan Shrine

Mactan Shrine, also known as Liberty Shrine, is a memorial park on the island of Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines. It host two monuments namely the Magellan Monument, which is dedicated to explorer Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and the Lapu Lapu Monument, a bronze statue which commemorates Lapu Lapu, a native leader who defeated Spanish soldiers led by Magellan in the 1521 Battle of Mactan.

Mactan Shrine
Liberty Shrine
TypeMemorial park
LocationLapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines
Coordinates10°18′39″N 124°0′54.8″E
Established1969 (as a national shrine)

History
See also: Battle of Mactan

The Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu was established in 1969 as national shrine through Republic Act No. 5695 during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos. The site is believed to be the aproximate location of the historic Battle of Mactan which saw the defeat of the Spaniards led by explorer Ferdinand Magellan against Lapu-Lapu and his forces.[1] The legislation included the Magellan Monument a structure which was erected back in the Spanish colonial era in 1866.[2] Republic Act No. 5695 also mandated for a monument for Lapu Lapu, who is regarded as hero for his role in the historic battle in 1521 as well as the erection of a Liberty House, a facility which would exhibit memorabilia showcasing the Philippines' history prior to the arrival of the Spanish.[1] In 1980, a bronze statue depicing Lapu-Lapu was erected within the shrine.[3]

In National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) announced that it would improve the Mactan Shrine in 2019. Reports of plans for the Lapu-Lapu statue received negative reception but the NHCP gave an assurance that the statue won't be relocated.[4][5] The following year, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as part of the National Quincentennial Committee which was formed to commemorate the 500 anniversary of the Battle of Mactan unveiled a design for a new Lapu-Lapu Shrine which and launched a design competition for a new Lapu-Lapu monument which will serve as a centerpiece of the structure.[6][7] The NHCP also launched a bidding in relation to the restoration of the Magellan Shrine.[8]

Starting January 17, 2021, the mast at the shrine will permanently hoist the Philippine flag.[9]

Monuments
Magellan Monument
Lapu-Lapu Monument at the Mactan Shrine
  • Lapulapu Monument – A 20 m (66 ft) bronze statue depicting noted native leader, Lapu-Lapu[4]
  • Magellan Monument – A stone obelisk built in 1866 dedicated to explorer Ferdinand Magellan who is noted for leading the majority of the first circumnavigation of the Earth.

Future monument and museum

Th Lapu-Lapu Memorial Shrine and Museum is a proposed structure to built inside the Mactan Shrine.[7] The structure will be built on the shore adjacent to the Mactan Shrine.[5] A new Lapu-Lapu monument will be built inside the structure with the winning entry of a design competition to be used a basis for the monument's design.[10] The existing Lapu-Lapu statue will be kept intact.[5] The groundbreaking is scheduled to take place on April 27, 2021.[11]

References
  1. "Republic Act No. 5695". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. June 21, 1969. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  2. Madarang, Catalina Ricci S. (August 28, 2018). "Duterte claims 'history forgot Lapu-Lapu' despite statues, medals, city, and holiday". Interaksyon. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  3. Adel, Rosette (September 26, 2019). "Gov't to hold Lapu-Lapu National Monument design contest soon". Philippine Star. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  4. Alipon, Joworski (November 14, 2019). "National Historical Commission to improve Lapulapu monument in Cebu". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  5. Dumaboc, Fe Marie (November 15, 2019). "Structures obstructing Lapu-Lapu Shrine to be demolished". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  6. "NQC unveils Lapu Shrine design". Sun Star. 23 July 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  7. Erram, Morexette Marie (July 23, 2020). "Historians unveil Lapulapu Shrine and Museum project". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  8. "ITB – Restoration of Various Monuments: "Rajah Humabon in Parian District, Cebu City; Lapulapu Monument in Opon, Lapu-Lapu City; Antonio Pigafetta Monument at Fort San Pedro, Cebu City; and Magellan's Shrine, Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City" in Cebu Province". National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  9. "Philippine flag to be displayed 24/7 at Mactan's Liberty Shrine starting Jan. 17". Cebu Daily News. January 2, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  10. "NQC to artists: Join Quincentennial art, design competitions". Cebu Daily News. November 28, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  11. Eusebio, Aaron Brennt (January 5, 2021). "Here's why 2021 is a special year for the Philippines". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
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