President-elect Rodrigo Duterte tells media about his desire to elevate Lapu-Lapu as a hero for the country in this February 2016 file photo. (CDN PHOTO/NORMAN MENDOZA)
The country’s historians should conduct extensive research on the life of chieftain Lapu-Lapu whom President-elect Rodrigo Duterte wants to be honored as a hero.
Balbino “Ka Bino” Guerrero, a local history enthusiast, heritage interpreter and at the same time Lapu-Lapu City Tourism consultant said there are only a few details about Lapu-Lapu.
“There was no clear description of how he looked like,” Guerrero told Cebu Daily News.
He said the country only has the account taken from the journal of Antonio Pigafetta to know about Lapu-Lapu.
Pigafetta, the Italian chronicler who was with Ferdinand Magellan, had no clear description about Lapu-Lapu because he joined the war with Magellan, Guerrero said.
Based on oral tradition (accounts), Lapu-Lapu was an Oponganon (a native of Opon).
Back then, Opon was not yet part of Cebu, Guerrero said. His parents were Datu Mangal and Matan Matun-as.
Despite no clear descriptions of Lapu-Lapu, Guerrero still supports President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to proclaim Lapu-Lapu as a hero.
“He should be a hero. Yes he should be considered as the Father of the Filipino People,” he said.