Words by Devi De Veyra
It’s National Heroes Day, which means your feed will get flooded with everyone’s favorite Filipino hero. And there’s a deep bench to choose from, like Dr. Jose Rizal, whose multi-hyphenate description includes “reincarnation of Christ '' or “Brown Christ,” as claimed by the Rizalistas.
He may have a huge following but Gabriela Silang conquered the skies when astrologer Eleanor Heilin named an asteroid in the bolo-wielding revolutionary’s honor.
The Katipunan’s co-founder Andres Bonifacio is another beloved hero, after whom a sparkling and relatively new financial district is named, Bonifacio Global City, and whose portrait has graced several Philippine currencies, just like his fellow revolutionaries, Rizal, Apolinario Mabini and Melchora Aquino (more popularly known as Tandang Sora). It’s Lapulapu, however, who holds the distinction of appearing in one of the biggest denominations issued by the Central Bank - the P5,000 bill (accompanied by a medal) which was unveiled back in 2021 to commemorate the 500th year of the Victory of Mactan.
It is a fitting tribute to the Visayan chieftain who led the warriors who repelled the invading Spanish troops, killing Ferdinand Magellan in the process to end the Portuguese explorer’s ambitions of circumnavigating the earth and colonizing Mactan Island. Hundreds of years later, Lapulapu continues to captivate a cross-generational audience, his name appearing in songs and with various actors reincarnating the famed warrior in film, on TV and in a music video.
Lapulapu has even conquered the world of esport when he was named as one of the characters in the popular mobile digital battle arena (MOBA) game titled "Mobile Legends: Bang Bang" which cemented his status as a bonafide rockstar warrior.
But let’s not forget about the countless unnamed and unsung heroes, that includes the katipuneros and warriors who fought alongside their leaders. We may not know them, but their heroism lives on, preserved through artifacts, such as the battle or regimental flags recovered from the soldiers who kept them as war booty, as well as pre-hispanic shields, spears, and daggers in museums and private collections. Some of these objects, along with important maps and ecclesiastical artifacts, will be on show in Salcedo Auctions' new program titled "Private Art, Public Lives," featuring the collection of UnionBank CEO Edwin Bautista and his wife, Aileen.
And how did our brave heroes prepare for war, we wonder? By dressing for battle, as seen in their OOTDs (outfits of the day). Moro warriors preferred chainmail and plate body armor which protected the torso and the “family jewels.” Some of the Katipuneros, on the other hand, sported amulets or wore anting-antings, a garment with inscriptions or orasyons in pig latin and other symbols. As for Lapulapu, little is known about his origins and what happened to him after the Battle of Mactan, let alone his pre-war rituals. But according to urban legend, he simply pregamed with a swig of lambanog.
"Public Art, Public Lives" featuring the collection of Edwin and Aileen Bautista will be open to the public on Sept. 3, from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., at Salcedo Auctions, NEX Tower, dela Rosa Access Road, Makati City.