Who killed Lapu-Lapu?

You would have heard Lapu-Lapu, the first Filipino hero, and the stories around him. The Battle of Mactan between Lapu-Lapu and Magellan was one of the famous battles. Lapu-Lapu won the battle. But have you ever wondered who killed Lapu-Lapu? Then, you are at the right spot. Continue reading to get an answer. Also, you will know more Lapu-Lapu vs Magellan facts.

1. Who is the First Hero in the Philippines History? Who is the First Filipino Hero?

Photo by Gabriela Custódio da Silva

The ruler of Mactan in the Visayas named Lapu-Lapu was the first native who registered Spanish colonization imperially; hence, he was regarded as the first Filipino hero by the Philippine society. The first successful resistance of the country to Spanish colonization is symbolized by the monument of Lapu-Lapu on the island of Mactan.

The brave Mactan leader is the leader who fought for his people against the locals in the Philippines. His history is woven into the modern Filipino culture fabric. Kadaugan sa Mactan is the event held on the 27^th of April every year by the Cebu City Government to celebrate the victory of Lapu-Lapu over Magellan at the Battle of Mactan. (See What were King Philip II of Spain Accomplishments?)

2. What is Lapu-Lapu Real Name?

The names of Lapu-Lapu are given below:

• CiLapu-Lapu,
• SiLapu-Lapu,
• Lapu-Lapu Dimantag,
• Cali Pulaco, and
• Salip Pulaka.

The real name of Lapu-Lapu is still under debate among historians. He is called CiLapu-Lapu in the records of Antonio Pigafetta and Lapu-Lapu Dimantag in the chronicles of Aginid. Datu Latu-Lapu was the name given to Lapu-Lapu when he became the region’s chief open during his wars with pirates. (See How would you Explain the Rise of Napoleon?)

3. Where was Lapu-Lapu born?

Photo by Brian Kairuz on Unsplash

It cannot be stated exactly when Lapu-Lapu was born. But as per the records, he was born in 1491 in Mactan Island, also called Opong, a state in the Philippines. He belonged to the Maginoo community. (See How many Islands in the Philippines are Known?)

4. The Battle of Mactan in Brief

The Battle of Mactan was between the group of Lapu-Lapu and the Spaniards. It is said that Magellan was killed in the battle by Lapu-Lapu, but still, there is no evidence. Lapu-Lapu was about 70 years old during the battle, while Magellan was only 41. This battle was a clash in the Philippines archipelago. The war was between Lapu-Lapu, who was Mactan Datu, and Rajah Humabon of Cebu, who fought under the command of Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer. As a result of the war, the Spanish army departed from the Philippines. Also, check out what were the causes and effects of the war of 1812?

5. Is Lapu Lapu Dead?

After the battle, Lapu-Lapu left Mactan and returned to Borneo. The Spaniard’s ships were forced to anchor, so the soldiers had to walk and combat with the locals. 1500 warriors were in the group of Lapu-Lapu then, whereas only 50 members were from the Magellan side. But Magellan underestimated the opposite group. Poison arrows and bamboo spears were thrown at the legs of Spanish soldiers resulting in their death. Soon, Magellan was also killed, and Lapu-Lapu wasn’t dead then and won the battle. (See How Old would Martin Luther King be today?)

6. Who killed Lapu-Lapu?

No one killed Lapu-Lapu. Instead, he died naturally because of old age since he was already 70 years old during the Battle of Mactan. It is also believed that he incarnated into a stone to guard the Mactan areas.

7. Where did Lapu-Lapu die?

Lapu-Lalu died in Mactan city in the Philippines. Lapu-Lapu shrine is a bronze statue that is 20 m in the Philippines. But who killed Lapu-Lapu? Lapu-Lapu dies of natural death and is not killed. (See How many People have Died on The Stratosphere?)

8. How Lapulapu got killed?

Lapu-Lapu was not killed and died naturally. Some believe he did not die and turned into a stone to guard Machtan.

9. Why did Lapu-Lapu and Magellan fight?

While on the route to Indonesia, Ferdinand Magellan reached Homohon Island and established an allegiance with Cebu’s Rajah Humabon. Magellan introduces Catholicism to Mactan when he recognizes the hospitality of Humabon. Lapu, who lived in Mactan, opposed Magellan and gave sparks to the battle. Humabon then provoked the Spanish people to fight against Lapu-Lapu. (See How did Alliances lead to World War 1?)

As recorded by Antonio Pigafetta, Magellan arrived with 50 members and Lapu-Lapu with 1500 warriors in the battle. The army of Lapu-Lapu fought vigorously, and eventually, they were able to kill Magellan. So, who killed Lapu-Lapu in the battle exactly and how is not even a question. It is known that after the battle, Lapu-Lapu returned to Borneo, and due to age, he died.

10. Did Lapulapu kill Magellan? Did Magellan kill Lapu-Lapu?

Image by lyleinday from Pixabay

At Cebu, Magellan was welcomed by Rajah Humabon and later convinced to fight in the Battle of Mactan and kill their enemy Lapu-Lapu. Magellan returned, but the battle began in which Magellan was killed by Lapu-Lapu or one of his group members with a bamboo spear.

Magellan did not kill Lapu-Lapu, then how and who killed Lapu-Lapu? Lapu-Lapu was not killed but had a natural death being old. Some stories also believe that Lapu-Lapu denied being a Christian and he did not die but became a stone to guard the Mactan seas. Hence, Magellan did not kill Lapu-Lapu. (See Is Ronald McDonald Real?)

11. Lapu-Lapu vs Magellan Facts

Lapu-Lapu vs Magellan facts is known because Ferdinand Magellan was a famous Portuguese explorer who had the experience of traveling to Southeast Asia when Portugal possessed Malacca in 1511. He sat on an expedition under the Spanish crown, a new allegiance to find a route to Malacca. Antonio Pigafetta and many other Venetian chroniclers joined the expedition. Archipelago Islands were later known as the Philippines when the expedition arrived in March 1521.

These details by Pigafetta recorded the first Filipino hero, Lapu-Lapu, the ruler of Mactan Island but it does not give a record of who killed Lapu-Lapu. It contains information facts related to Lapu-Lapu vs Magellan fights, the Battle of Mactan which was held between Magellan and Lapu-Lapu, in which Lapu-Lapu and the army defeated Magellan. (Also read What are the 3 Types of History?)