It’s that time of the year again! The streets and shores of Mactan Island will soon be filled with festivities with the commemoration of Cebuano history.
Here’s a surprise for Oponganons and Sugboanons out there. Did you know that former senator and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is set to portray Datu Lapulapu in the reenactment of the historic Battle of Mactan during the 504th Kadaugan sa Mactan celebration?
The grand event will take place on April 27 at the Mactan Liberty Shrine.
Garry Lao, head of the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Office, announced Pacquiao’s participation during a press conference on March 25, 2025. This marks Pacquiao’s third time playing the legendary Cebuano warrior, with his previous performances in 2008 and 2015 leaving a lasting impression on audiences.
Vlogger and businesswoman Crissa “Habibi” Liaging has been cast as Reyna Bulakna, while Belgian model and Lapu-Lapu City resident Kevin Lahousse will portray Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
Pacquiao, who waived his talent fee, reportedly volunteered for the role, emphasizing his admiration for Lapulapu’s bravery and patriotism.
Despite being a senatorial candidate in the upcoming May 12 midterm elections, organizers assured that the reenactment will remain focused on honoring history rather than political figures.
Kadaugan sa Mactan 2025 Events
The month-long celebration will commence on April 4, featuring the Kadaugan sa Mactan: Food, Fashion, and Festivities, where 49 barangays and private sector representatives will showcase local products. Lao urged exhibitors to keep their prices reasonable so that everyone can enjoy and support local businesses.
A major highlight of the festivities is the Sadsad sa Kadaugan, a vibrant street dance competition featuring 10 contingents from 30 barangays in Lapu-Lapu City.
This highly anticipated event will be held at Mactan Newtown on April 27, with a cash prize of Php 1 million awaiting the champion. The City Government has also allocated a Php 500,000 subsidy for each competing cluster.
Other entertainment activities include Lapu-Lapu Got Talent (Season 3), a K-pop dance contest, and cultural performances throughout the month.
Comelec Approval on Portrayal
Despite the excitement surrounding Pacquiao’s return to the role of Lapulapu, his participation hinges on the approval of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Comelec 7 Director Francisco Pobe stated that under the Fair Elections Act, candidates are generally prohibited from engaging in public performances, including stage plays or reenactments, during the election period. However, exemptions may be granted if justified by the requesting party.
To avoid any legal concerns, Lao revealed that he had already advised Pacquiao’s team to seek approval from the Comelec Central Office. As of March 27, 2025, there has been no confirmation regarding the ruling. Lao assured that a contingency plan is in place should Pacquiao be prohibited from participating.
With the grand reenactment just weeks away, all eyes are on the preparations for this historic and cultural spectacle.
Kadaugan sa Mactan continues to be a vibrant tribute to the resilience and courage of the Filipino people–a longstanding legacy of Datu Lapu Lapu for generations to come.
Stay tuned for further updates on this year’s Kadaugan sa Mactan festivities.
