PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Monday, August 27, that he is amenable to the proposal of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to rename Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Lapu-Lapu Airport.
During the commemoration of the National Heroes' Day in Taguig City, Duterte said it "deeply pains" him that Mactan valiant chieftain Lapu-Lapu did not get the proper recognition, reiterating that the country's hero was even demoted to a fish name.
"As a footnote, just a vignette of life, Lapu-Lapu was the first Filipino to kill a foreigner who invaded our country," the President said.
"But sadly -- he was a Visayan, I think he was a Moro, still in the Visayas -- history forgot him. He was the first hero and designated a certain species of fish and called it “lapu-lapu.” That is why it pains me deeply to see lapu-lapu being eaten every day, escabeche, fried, and all sorts of recipe," he added.
Duterte made the remark after NHCP chair suggested to change the name of Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Lapu-Lapu Airport.
Prior to the President's keynote speech, NHCP chair Rene Escalante proposed the renaming of the airport in Cebu, in an effort to "popularize and immortalize" Lapu-Lapu's name in the country and all over the world as well.
"In close coordination with local government units and legislators, the NHCP will support the renaming of Mactan International Airport into Lapu-Lapu Airport so his name will be popularized and immortalized here and abroad," Escalante said.
"We will also propose the creation of a national monument and park for Lapu-Lapu in Cebu," he added.
On April 27,1521, Lapu-Lapu led the tribal men who fought and won against Spanish invaders led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
Escalante bewailed that despite Lapu-Lapu's efforts to defend the country from foreign rule, the Mactan valiant chieftain was one of the heroes who are "least appreciated and studied."
"He (Lapu-Lapu) remains among the least appreciated and studied heroes of the country. In fact, most of our textbooks nowadays have more pages about Magellan the loser than Lapu-Lapu the winner," Escalante said.
"With this in mind, the NHCP considers the celebration of the fifth centenary of the circumnavigation in the world in 1521 as the perfect opportunity to bring Lapu-Lapu in the limelight. On the part of NHCP, we shall follow the impetus of conducting historical studies and conferences on Lapu-Lapu," he added.
In a chance interview after the event, Duterte expressed support to Escalante's proposal.
"Yes," Duterte said, when asked if he is willing to rename Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Lapu-Lapu Airport.
"Why you...? Alam mo (You know), Magellan was the first invader to set foot here in the Philippines. It was Lapu-Lapu who fought him. Why is he (Magellan) more honored in this country?" he added. (SunStar Philippines)
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1760102/Manila/Local-News/Duterte-backs-proposed-renaming-of-Mactan-airport
During the commemoration of the National Heroes' Day in Taguig City, Duterte said it "deeply pains" him that Mactan valiant chieftain Lapu-Lapu did not get the proper recognition, reiterating that the country's hero was even demoted to a fish name.
"As a footnote, just a vignette of life, Lapu-Lapu was the first Filipino to kill a foreigner who invaded our country," the President said.
"But sadly -- he was a Visayan, I think he was a Moro, still in the Visayas -- history forgot him. He was the first hero and designated a certain species of fish and called it “lapu-lapu.” That is why it pains me deeply to see lapu-lapu being eaten every day, escabeche, fried, and all sorts of recipe," he added.
Duterte made the remark after NHCP chair suggested to change the name of Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Lapu-Lapu Airport.
Prior to the President's keynote speech, NHCP chair Rene Escalante proposed the renaming of the airport in Cebu, in an effort to "popularize and immortalize" Lapu-Lapu's name in the country and all over the world as well.
"In close coordination with local government units and legislators, the NHCP will support the renaming of Mactan International Airport into Lapu-Lapu Airport so his name will be popularized and immortalized here and abroad," Escalante said.
"We will also propose the creation of a national monument and park for Lapu-Lapu in Cebu," he added.
On April 27,1521, Lapu-Lapu led the tribal men who fought and won against Spanish invaders led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
Escalante bewailed that despite Lapu-Lapu's efforts to defend the country from foreign rule, the Mactan valiant chieftain was one of the heroes who are "least appreciated and studied."
"He (Lapu-Lapu) remains among the least appreciated and studied heroes of the country. In fact, most of our textbooks nowadays have more pages about Magellan the loser than Lapu-Lapu the winner," Escalante said.
"With this in mind, the NHCP considers the celebration of the fifth centenary of the circumnavigation in the world in 1521 as the perfect opportunity to bring Lapu-Lapu in the limelight. On the part of NHCP, we shall follow the impetus of conducting historical studies and conferences on Lapu-Lapu," he added.
In a chance interview after the event, Duterte expressed support to Escalante's proposal.
"Yes," Duterte said, when asked if he is willing to rename Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Lapu-Lapu Airport.
"Why you...? Alam mo (You know), Magellan was the first invader to set foot here in the Philippines. It was Lapu-Lapu who fought him. Why is he (Magellan) more honored in this country?" he added. (SunStar Philippines)
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1760102/Manila/Local-News/Duterte-backs-proposed-renaming-of-Mactan-airport
No comments:
Post a Comment