Lapu-Lapu "Sentinel of Freedom" - Manila, Philippines - Gifts from Other Countries on Waymarking.com

Lapu-Lapu (1491–1542) is largely regarded as the first hero of the Philippines. As ruler of the Mactan in the Visayas of the Philippine Islands, he led an attack against the invading Portuguese in 1521, armed with spears against the cannons and guns of Ferdinand Magellan who was killed in the battle along with a number of his men. Lapu-Lapu has become a legendary figure, subject of poets and invoked in the Philippine Declaration of Independence.

The unveiling of this statue in Teodoro F. Valencia Circle in 2004 was not without controversy, however. Some thought this placement in the park honoring national hero Jose Rizal, whose execution here at the hands of the Spanish did much to propel the independence fight, was not appropriate. And some may have felt that it was wrong to honor the one responsible for the death of the great world explorer, Magellan. But, Lapu-Lapu was chosen as a long revered symbol of the first leader known to have resisted foreign invasion, which really dominates the history of these islands.

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A Gift From
The Korea Freedom League
And
Poongsan Microtech Philippine, Inc.
In Appreciation and Honor of the Memory Of Freedom Loving Filipinos
Who Sent their Sons to Help Save Korean Democracy
The Statue Of the
Sentinel of Freedom
Ne’er shall invaders trample thy sacred shores!

Countrymen
Remember your forefathers
Whose heart and soul blazed with the love for sweet Freedom
With heads held high in dignity and honor.
Find their spirit of sacrifice alive in us all.

Lapu-Lapu
A Benevolent Ruler of the Visayan people,
A valiant warden of the light of Islam
A victorious Defender of our homeland
The First Asian to withstand colonial forces.

A peaceful leader impelled to raise his kampilan
To defend our land of our heritage,
Our verdant isles, that for ages fostered freedom, peace and prosperity
He united the people to resist where the price of peace
Was to bow before a foreign king and surrender our birthright

Time elapsed and history identified a great number
Of our much laudable countrymen.
Henceforth, after four centuries
Came the brave who wielded his pen against the exploits of Spanish colonization –
Dr. Jose Rizal
His compelling writings howling for emancipation
The first Asian to stir up within people’s hearts a revolution against colonial forces.
Herewith we remember the fortitude of our noble countrymen.
With Rizal in the forefront
And Lapu-Lapu as forerunner;
Two Proud Sons of the Malay race
Symbols of harmony in diversity and respect for each other’s credo, strata, and religion,
Both testifying that we, as a country should be united
Bear the seeds of their resolute valor
as we stand herewith to witness
The valiant legacy of our forebearers.

THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF RICHARD J. GORDON, SECRETARY OF TOURISM
Dedicated on February 5, 2004
Manila, Philippines

Country or International City that Gave the Gift: Korea Country or International City that Received the Gift: Philippines Website Verifying this Item as a Gift from Another Country or International City: [Web Link]

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