Takeover Week: Mactan Shrine (Eugene Villar)
Wednesday, 11th July 2007 by James Turnbull
Welcome to day three of Google Sightseeing Reader Takeover Week! Every day this week, one of you has been chosen to have their very own sight posted here on GSS, while Alex and James take a well deserved holiday. Today's sight is from Eugene Villar!
Ferdinand Magellan's expedition is the world's first successful circumnavigation around the world. Unfortunately, Magellan himself died during the journey and only one ship and 18 crew members returned to Spain from the original four ships and 270 people.
Magellan met his demise in the Philippine Islands, specifically on Mactan Island in Cebu province, where he engaged in local politics. He died during the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521 while fighting against the tribe of the local chieftain Lapu-Lapu on the shores of Mactan Island.
The Mactan Shrine is dedicated to both Magellan and Lapu-Lapu and marks the spot where the Battle of Mactan supposedly took place. At the center of a square plaza in the shrine is an obelisk built in memory of Magellan and to the north at the center of a circular plaza is a 20-foot tall bronze statue of Lapu-Lapu, now considered as the Philippines' first national hero.
Every year on April 27, the Battle of Mactan is re-enacted during the Kadaugan sa Mactan festival along the marshes to the north of the shrine.
More info on the Wikipedia pages for Ferdinand Magell, Battle of Mactan, Lapu-Lapu and on Vista Pinas.
The boats in the water looks strange. Anyone know anything about them?
Oh, those are just fishermen’s boats, usually big enough for one person. They just look like that coz they have bamboo outriggers sticking out from the side. 🙂
Here’s a picture for your consumption.
Great to have a city in the Philippines featured here. There are a lot of other fabulous places to visit in the country. Hope GSS gives more people chances to show the world just how great the Philippines is.
Thanks Rico!