Filipinos should draw inspiration from Lapu-Lapu, the first Filipino to defend the Philippines shores and the first Asian to successfully repel a colonial occupation, former senator Richard “Dick” Gordon said.
Gordon, former tourism secretary, also said Lapu-Lapu’s life should inspire Filipinos to be more assertive of their rights especially during times when foreign aggression is running high.
"Lapu-Lapu repelled Spanish conqueror Magellan as he was coming from the sea. That shows inherent love of country," said Gordon.
“Fighting for one's right should be au naturel in Filipinos, like Lapu Lapu,” he stressed.
Gordon said the bravery and passion of Lapu-Lapu to refuse Spanish sovereignty and save his people from colonial invaders are among the early signs recorded of Filipino heroism, nobility, and passion for humanity — values for which he and the Filipinos share.
Thus, he said the history of what Lapu-Lapu did for the Philippines should not be lost to today’s generation of Filipinos and especially for the generation that will come after.
“Lapu-Lapu represents Visayas and Mindanao while Rizal represents Luzon thus they must remain in Rizal Park as they unite the Filipinos," said Gordon.
“Lapu-Lapu is a national hero who embodies the line in the Philippine National Anthem, ‘Sa manlulupig, 'di kapasisiil’, while Dr. Jose Rizal, represents the line ‘Ang mamatay ng dahil sa 'yo’,” he said.
Gordon was tourism secretary when he initiated the installment of the Lapu-Lapu Monument in Rizal Park.
In 2004, the 40-foot Lapu-Lapu statue was built and erected in the park after he was able to secure an P18-million donation from the Korean Freedom League during his term as Department of Tourism (DOT) chief.
The statue was created by renowned sculptor and Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Awardee Sajid Imao.
It was also who Gordon passed the bill that made April 27 a national holiday as Adlaw ni Lapu-Lapu or Lapu-Lapu Day, which was signed into law by then President Rodrigo Duterte.