The best source of the battle is the accounts kept by Pigafetta, who was the chronicler in Magellan's voyage. In describing the battle, Pigafetta pictured himself helplessly watching his brave captain valiantly fending off Lapulapu's men to give time and opportunity for his soldiers to climb aboard the ship safely, depart and save their lives. Mortally wounded, Magellan was was left behind and died while fighting in the waist deep shores of Mactan.

Pigafetta further noted that the natives were not only armed with kampilans, bolos, spears but were also skilled in the use of wooden sticks which proved more deadly in close encounter. With continuous torrent of bamboo spears thrown to them, the invaders were outflanked and out-maneuvered. The metal armor of helmet, breastplates and protective leggings worn by the Conquistadores were more of a handicap than an advantage as agility and maneuverability were affected. So frustrated and disappointed King Humahon expecting invincibility of his former white skinned allies ordered his warriors to go after them but Del Cano who took command after Magellan’s death outsmarted them in their pursuit.

What Pigafetta described as sticks and the style of fighting are what we know now as "eskrima or arnis" or panggamut. Its beginning is said to have been introduced to Datu Mangal, Lapulapu's father from the descendants of the Bornean datus who left Borneo and sailed with their barangay boats to the island of Panay.

THE RE-ENACTMENT IS THE ATTRACTION

The annual re-enactment is the main attraction sponsored by the City of Lapulapu, in Mactan Island, celebrating the historic event, when Ferdinand Magellan and members of his expedition claiming the newly explored islands for Spain met their disastrous defeat from Lapulapu and his men on the shores of Mactan.

You might be interested to know that, there was time when the City council was low on budget and cannot afford to pay the fee demanded by professional actress, the then Congresswoman Imee Marcos came to the rescue. She volunteered as Bulakna, Lapulapu’s wife. Thanks to the late dictator’s daughter the spectators were not disappointed.