The excitement to see this historical place is way high ‘cause this is the exact place the Battle of Mactan happened. As I entered, it feels just like an ordinary park. Where there’s lots of trees, plants and flower decors (If only I got a date to take a picture with… anyway). As you walk around the park, you can see their culture works like a shed made of bamboo, wooden tribal art statues, beautiful gardens and ponds. (Okay…)
You can see this memorial tower from afar, erected in the center of cemented pavement which is happened to believe the spot where the great explorer was KILLED. You should never miss this huge panoramic mural painting of the “BATTLE OF MACTAN”—exhibiting the clash between Lapu-Lapu’s men and Magellan’s at the shore.
As I walk at the end of the park (and pushing myself to look around… should’ve brought a friend), there’s this GIGANTIC MONUMENT of Datu Lapu-Lapu, facing towards the beach as if he’s still GUARDING it, and this lightened up my AMAZEMENT. This beach is the exact place where Magellan’s troupes disembarked. As I set my foot here, I take a good look at the sea. There’s marsh around it, there’s a wooden platform by the shore. Not much of wave at that time, but clear water. Then I get into thinking, “Yeah, I’ve seen better. So, this is where the Battle of Mactan happened…” then it strikes me… “THIS IS WHERE IT HAPPENED!!”. The image of the mural I’ve seen earlier, flashes in the back of my mind. My almost gone excitement turned into ASTONISHING feeling. I was shocked and stunned that I get to feel my hair rising on my skin.
I started imagining things on what happened that day and began to think what’s going through in Magellan’s mind why he sails with a few troupes. What did he tell to Lapu-Lapu that resulted an uproar. Or maybe, one of his men got pierced by FLYING SPEAR out of nowhere the moment he steps on our soil. And he instantly died on the spot right there near the wooden hut. Then they got swarmed by Lapu-Lapu’s men and crushed through the battle. Maybe I’m standing where Lapu-Lapu stands after the last man of Magellan’s troupe got strike by a “Bolo Knife”, and stares to the Spanish ships anchored in the distant. And the whole beach filled with the SCREAM AND CRY of the victors that defended our land.
I can say that, apart from the park that already built with gardens and pavements, this place is historical especially the beach. This place is filled with heroism, courage and love for the country. A remembrance not to give up even a small island. A history that should NEVER be forgotten.