CAMOTES ISLAND: MEETING THE DESCENDANTS OF LAPU-LAPU

Meeting The Descendants of Lapu-Lapu? 

By Henry Libo-on 

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The controversial story of the battle between Ferdinand Magellan and Chieftain Lapu-Lapu happened here on the beach of Mactang on the island of Camotes and not on Mactan Island, Cebu. 

"At midnight, sixty men of us set out armed with corselets and helmets together with the Christian king, the prince, some of the chief men and twenty or thirty balanguay. We reached Mactan three hours before dawn."

Antonio Pigafetta, Chronicler, Magellan's Expedition. From the translations of Blaire and Robertson.

Comments: They reached Mactan three hours before dawn. If dawn begins at around 5:00 a.m. or sometimes even earlier, it means that they reached Mactan by 2:00 a.m. and waited to surprise their enemy. It also implies that if they left the coast of Cebu at 1:00 a.m. their ship traveled for an hour to reach Mactan. Then by 2:00 a.m. the Spaniards were waiting and ready for battle. So, it seems logical that the battle happened on Mactan but Lapu-Lapu carried Magellan's dead body to his family's home Island, Camotes and buried it on the place which today is called Mactang based on what the Excavations of 1970's discovered - skeleton of a Caucasian man, war implements, etc.

(iWitness, hosted by Jay Taruc. Please watch the video at the bottome of this page. Thanks.)

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This story was told by these men to travel blogger, Touristang Pobre during his visit to Camotes Islands in August 2017. 

 According to these local boys, an excavation was done sometime in the '70s by some people from Cebu City on the coastal area of Sitio (village) Mactang here on Camotes Islands.  The excavation team was able to discover artifacts of war, like swords, lance, spears, bones of humans, and other relics.

These guys also told me that Lapu-Lapu was a native of Camotes Island, his siblings and uncles lived here near the coastal area of Mactang Beach, where we are standing (top photo). They told me that the locals placed life-size bust of Lapu-Lapu on that spot. 

On the other hand, some of these local boys I met on the shore of Sitio Mactang here on Camotes, believed that they were either descendants or relatives of Lapu-Lapu. 

Another story they shared was that their forefathers were residents of the islands for a long, long, time, and the chances of intermarriage with the direct descendants of Lapu-Lapu was a possibility since most of these local residents, fishermen, and farmers have been residing on Camotes Islands and call the islands home, many years ago.  

Were they, therefore, descendants of Lapu-Lapu since most of them, according to these guys, have similarities to how Lapu-Lapu was portrayed in statues and drawings?

For me, I respect their perception. This urban legend continues. 

This gracious lady that I met few years ago, told me that she also believed that she was a descendant of Lapu-Lapu. She learned this from her grandparents whose forefathers were old-timers of the island of Camotes and Cebu.  I told her, "You must be pulling my legs." and she replied that, that was the story her elders narrated to her. I believe her. 

(Atlantic City, New Jersey)

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Back to the excavation, they said that the bones that were excavated were believed to be that of a Caucasian man or Spanish soldier because those leg bones were longer than those of the natives.  Therefore, according to these local boys, it was probable that there was a battle that happened, a long time ago, on the shores of Sitio Mactang.  What battle could that be?  The locals believe that it could be the Battle of Mactang between the Spanish Navigator Ferdinand Magellan and Chieftain Lapu-Lapu.

When I asked them where I could find these artifacts, they told me that most of those excavated was brought to Cebu and some were placed in the local school.  

At this time of updating this blog, I plan to visit the Cebu Museum and revisit Camotes Island in 2020. I will keep you updated in, probably, a separate Blog. 

 Magellan's Monument on Mactan Island, Cebu.

This Monument to honor Lapu-Lapu, the Chieftain who was responsible for the death of Ferdinand Magellan on March 29, 1521, is found on Mactan Island, Cebu.  It is a favorite tourist spot.  Shown on this photo is blogger TP, his friends Jo and Ligut S. 

The story of the Battle of Mactang was made more credible with the story handed down from generation to generation, that Lapu-Lapu was a native of Camotes Islands.  In fact, his family lived in Camotes, his sister lived there too including his uncle.  So, they were natives of the Camotes Islands. 

This Documentary about Lapu-Lapu and hosted by Jay Taruc featured several senior citizens residing on Camotes Islands and believed to have descended from Lapu-Lapu. The video also showed several artifacts dug from the coast of Barangay Mactang, Camotes Islands. 

 

Source: GMA Network - iWitness: Lapu-Lapu Dokumentaryo ni Jay Taruc on Youtube. 

This is the site where the excavation was made in the '70s.  

Touristang Pobre seems to believe this story.  Who wouldn't?

By the way, the beauty of the beach on Sitio Mactang is inviting.  There are beach cleaners assigned by the local government unit to ensure that the beach is clean and ready from tourists. 

This is the entrance to the historical beach of Sitio Mactang, Camotes Islands.

As Touristang Pobre motored his way out of the Mactang Beach area, he realized that this controversial story may be possible, but why did the Province of Cebu did not make a public statement regarding this issue? As what the local said, they did not hear anything about this alleged Battle of Mactang Beach after the excavation was done in the '70s. 

So, was the Battle between Magellan and Lapu-Lapu here on the beach of Mactang real or just an urban legend?  Perhaps, only time can tell.  In the meantime, life in the islands remains normal and peaceful.  Tourists come and go and Camotes Islands enjoy the progress and development that eco-tourism brings to the islands and let us stick to the story that the Battle of Mactan was fought on Mactan Island, Cebu. 

How to get there? 

From where you are in the Philippines, be it in Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao, just make Cebu as your port of entry and jump-off point to Camotes Islands. 

Please choose Poro Island Port as your entry point.  From Cebu, you can take the Fast Ferry called Ocean Jet from Pier 1.  The Schedule of the trip starts at 6:00 a.m.  Travel time to the Port of Poro is two (2) hours.  

You can also take the boat from the town of Danao.  Just be sure that the boat will dock at Poro Port, Pacijan Island. 

Upon arrival at Poro Port, there are Single Motorcycles,  Habal-Habal (just like a tricycle), or a Van, a small vehicle also known as Carry or "Talakitok".  

Before hiring one of these for your island tour or to take you to your hotel, please make a deal with the driver regarding the price.  

Where to stay?

1. Mangodlong Rock Resort, San Francisco Town

2. Red Doorz at Papa Tasie Camotes, approach to Lake Danao

3. Palanas Eden at Palanas Beach, San Francisco Town 

4. RC Hutspot at San Francisco Town

5. Coco Grove Nature Resort, Mangodlong, San Francisco Town

6. My Little Island Hotel, Poro Island 

7. Santiago Bay and Garden Resort, in the heart of Camotes Island

8. Aizawa Beach Resort, Barangay Santiago, Camotes Island

9. Villa Marquez, Tulang Daku, Esperanza, Camotes Island

10. Azure Camotes Resort Hotel

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Where to eat? 

Where to eat on Camotes Island is not a problem because there are restaurants in places where tourists frequently visit. Every beach resort and hotel have their own restaurant and bar that service the needs of the tourists. Here are some of those popular restos/bars on Camotes Island. 

1. Garden Grill and Resto Bar, Mangodlong, Himensulan, Bano Beach Resort, San Francisco.

2. Nena's Grill and Drinks, Santiago public beach area.

3. Bamboo Cafe 17, Pacijan Island 

4. Santiago Bay Restaurant at Pacijan Island. 

5. and more... 

Things to do at Camotes Islands

1. Swimming.
2. Snorkeling.
3. Scuba Diving.
4. Hiking, Jogging, and Exercise.
5. Islands Tour.
6. Spelunking.
7. Nature Trekking.
8. Souvenir Hunting.
9. Food Tripping at various restaurants, bars, and vendors selling local delicacies.
10. Yoga and Meditation.
11. Attending Seminars, Training, Workshops, and others.
12. Celebrating Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Wedding Ceremonies.
13. Visiting historical sites and places.
14. Photography and Videography.
15. Movie and advertisement shoots. 
16. A nice island to spend your honeymoon. 
17. A nice island to spend your honeymoon with your "kabit". (I am serious, lol.)
18. Etcetera of your choice

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Text and photos by Henry C. Libo-on, the Touristang Pobre. 

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Who is Touristang Pobre? 

Who is Touristang Pobre? 

*He has been a travel writer for WHAT'S ON (In the Visayas & Mindanao), a travel guide circulated in Cebu and other parts of the Vis-Min regions.

*He was a writer and columnist of Negros Daily Bulletin, a local newspaper in Bacolod City and circulated around the province and Western Visayas. 

*He was a former Tour Guide when BTTI or Bureau of Travel & Tourist Industry became the Department of Tourism, circa early '70s. 

*He was a former Executive Assistant to the then Governor of Negros Occidental and later on Mayor of Bacolod City, Honorable Alfredo L. Montelibano, Jr. 

*He was a former OIC-CPDO or City Planning & Development Officer of Bacolod City Government.

*He was a former College Instructor/Professor at Riverside College School of Nursing.

*He is currently based in the U.S. but calls Bacolod City and Negros Occidental his home. 

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December 2, 2017.    Updated March 21, 2019.  Reviewed on December 26, 2022. Reviewed on April 27, 2023.