A return visit to the historic site of the battle between the natives led by Lapu-lapu and the Portuguese explorer in the service of Spain Ferdinand Magellan where Magellan met his death, mostly due to his ineptness as a general.

Tutubi again visited the place on the request of his peer who wanted to see the famous site of the "battle of mactan".

Ferdinand Magellan’s Monument

A coral stone obelisk Erected in 1866 in honor of Hernando de Magallanes). It bears the words “Glorias Españolas (Glory to Spain)."



The Lapu-lapu Monument, made of bronze, at dusk...



a closer view of the bronze monument...



the Mactan Shrine mural and historical marker. The Battle of Mactan mural wrongly depict Lapu-lapu in combat with Magellan. The marker states "Here, on 27 April 1521 Lapulapu and his men repulsed the Spanish invaders, killing their leader ferdinand Magellan thus Lapulapu became the first Filipino to have repelled European aggresion."




How did Ferdinand Magellan die? So many historical myths and hoaxes abound here but it's not really Lapu-lapu who killed him but a poisoned arrow to the leg. It was probably Lapu-lapu who dealt the final blow. He was killed due to his "stupidity" to charge at an enemy he didn't have any information on (remember Sun Tzu's Art of War?), and on the prodding of Rajah Humabon, an enemy of Lapu-lapu.

Rajah Humabon, who converted to Christianity earlier, later poisoned his Christian friends. What was left of Magellan's expedition later circumnavigated the world.

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Travel Information on Mactan Shrine:

Mactan Shrine entrance fees: None but a donation box can be seen at the shrine entrance gate. Parking fee is at P10/vehicle.

There's also a Lapu-lapu Monument at Rizal Park in Manila (Luneta) "watching" the back of Jose Rizal Monument

How to get to Mactan Shrine / Lapu-lapu Monument, Lapu-lapu City:

Commuting from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, you can flag a taxi to take you there directly or a jeepney, popularly called multicab, with signboard Punta Engaño. Tutubi also observed jeepneys with So-ong Maribago signboards passed by the place from Mandaue Highway. The Shrine is near Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa and the the famous Sutukil seafood restaurants. No information on jeepney fares but the taxi fare may be about P250 from downtown Cebu City.

Directions to Mactan shrine? It's just a straight drive from Mandaue City via Marcelo Fernan Bridge then right to M.L. Quezon Highway all the way to the shrine.

Labels: Cebu, Historical Shrines, History, Lapu-Lapu City, Metro Cebu, Monuments

Just a last picture of Cebu taken inside the van taking Tutubi to Mactan Cebu International Airport while about to cross the amazing cable-stayed bridge named after a prominent politician.

Marcelo Fernan Bridge is one of the two bridges crossing Mactan Channel separating Cebu Island from Mactan Island; the other is the older Mactan-Mandaue bridge.


Note that the dark clouds on the horizon were brought by typhoon Frank which was battering Manila at the time Tutubi was about to return there. It'sa good thing his return flight via Philippine Airlines was not canceled when all morning flights of Cebu Pacific Airlines and those of other carriers like Seair and Asian Spirit, using smaller planes were canceled.

Tutubi will be back in Cebu, that's for sure!

Labels: Bridges, Cebu, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Metro Cebu

Fresh from wonderful snorkeling experience in Pescador Island off the coast of Moalboal, we headed to the upscale resort of Plantation Bay in Mactan Island.

To gain entrance to the facility, we informed the guards at the gates that we’re just going to eat inside. As we walked past the gates and into the well-manicured resort and hotel complex, we were informed that walking to our destination was not allowed and pointed us to free shuttle services.

As we got our butts warm at Kilimanjaro Restaurant, some of us ordered just deserts at touristy prices. Note: true to its being a 5 star resort, it has an astronomical price tag and no tipping policy of the resort.

After finishing our food, we took our time to take pictures of the man-made lagoons, beaches and swimming pools.

Overall, the resort publishes rates in US dollars targeting foreign tourists with nice facilities. For more information, pictures and rates, please visit the official website.

How to get to Plantation Bay, Mactan Island, Cebu:

Plantation Bay Resort offers complimentary shuttle transfers to and from the Cebu airport fprthose thosewho booked rooms rooms. It can also be reached by a short taxi ride at the airport, also on Mactan Island. Commuting there from the airport can be quite hard due to it's distance but still have to verify.

Plantation Bay Day TOur Rate/Entrance Fee: None, only proceed to the restaurants
but there may be a minimum consumable amount

Labels: Cebu, Central Visayas, Hotels and Resorts, Lapu-Lapu City, Metro Cebu, Resorts