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FOURTEENTHCONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
I 
” .  I 
First Regular Session 
I 
/ 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. RICHARD J. GORDON 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Lapu-Lapu is the Philippine’s first successful defender of our shores, and was 
a native Muslim on Mactan and a representative of the Sultan of Sulu. He was also 
the earliest known indigenous Visayan Muslim chieftain and datu in the island of 
Mactan. In Southeast Asia, Lapu-Lapu was alone in resisting Spanish colonization 
during the Age of Exploration. 
When the Spaniards set foot on the Philippines, they had a goal to convert 
the local people to Spanish traditions and customs. Such was their interpretation of 
civilization, primary of which was conversion to Christianity. When Ferdinand 
Magellan, the leader of the Spanish expedition who arrived in the islands, offered his 
friendship to the natives of Mactan, he brought along with him Cebuanos under the 
rule of Raja Humabon who had converted to Christianity. There were two other datus 
in Mactan but only Lapu-Lapu refused to accept Magellan’s offer. 
On April 27, 1521, Lapu-Lapu, together with the men of Mactan, fought 
Magellan and the change he wanted to bring with the Spanish flag. Under the 
leadership of Lapu-Lapu, Magellan and his men were successfully defeated. Today, 
Lapu-Lapu is regarded as the first national hero of the Philippines. 
In keeping with the Filipino tradition of commemorating momentous events in 
national history, this bill proposed the declaration of April 27 as an official national 
holiday to be known as Lapu-Lapu Day or Adlaw ni 
the courage displayed by Lapu-Lapu and his men in 
ttle of Mactan, the 
passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 
!adJooRDoN 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
I 
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SENATE 
S. No. 
I 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. RICHARD J. GORDON 
AN ACT 
HOLIDAY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO COMMEMORATE THE 
FERNANDO MAGALLANES IN THE HISTORIC BATTLE OF MACTAN ON 
LAPU 
TO DECLARE APRIL 27 OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL NON-WORKING 
VICTORY OF LAPU-LAPU AND HIS MEN OVER THE SPANIARDS LED BY 
APRIL 27,1521, TO BE KNOWN AS LAPU-LAPU DAY OR ADLAW NI LAPU- 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. The twenty-seventh day of April of every year is hereby declared 
as a special non-working holiday throughout the country to commemorate the victory 
of Lapu-lapu and his men over the Spaniards in the historic battle of Mactan on April 
17,1521 to be known as Lapu-lapu Day or Adlaw ni Lapu-lapu. 
Sec. 2. To ensure a meaningful observance of the holiday as herein declared, 
all heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, including government 
owned and controlled corporations as well as local government units, and employers 
in the private sector shall encourage and afford sufficient time for their employees to 
participate in any activity conducted in their respective localities for the celebration 
of Lapu-lapu Day or Adlaw ni Lapu-lapu. 
Sec. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in at 
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette. 
Approved,