I had a taste of beautiful past of my beloved hometown.

I recently visited the newly opened Art Gallery of Lapu-Lapu City. I can't say it's the first art museum in the city but it is the newest historic spot and I had a great look on it and inside.

It is located beside the Bureau of Fire Protection and in front of the Hoops Dome.

There is no entrance fee as of the moment so grab the chance now to visit and pleasure yourself upon seeing those various arts depicting how simple the life of our ancestors in the past. Also, there are some wood sculptures of important people that paid so much contributions to historic city of the Philippines.

Let's start with this man, the main character.

Lapulapu

*Lapulapu if person, *Lapu-Lapu if a place

Lapulapu is our first Filipino Hero(not the National Hero, Dr. Rizal). He was the first native Filipino to fought against Spanish Colonization happened on April 27, 1521 where himself and his comrades defeated Ferdinand Magellan and his troops. This battle is know as the Battle of Mactan.

Lapu-Lapu is also known under the names Çilapulapu, Si Lapulapu, Salip Pulaka, Cali Pulaco, and Lapulapu Dimantag.

Look how courageous this man is!
Another art showing the famous stance of Lapulapu, a mosaic art. This mosaic is made of sea shells/beads(the smallest one). This kind of art needs a lot of patience to be honest.

Rajah Humabon

Rajah Humabon, the Chieftain of Cebu. Considered to be the rival of Lapulapu during the precolonial time. Upon the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in Sugbo(Cebu, present name), Rajah Humabon was so welcoming. He was later baptized as Don Carlos and led to the conversion of other Sugbuanon into Christianity.

Modern statue of the Rajah of Cebu,
source

Ferdinand Magellan

There's so much to know about this man's historical record. But, I will only be sharing important things Magellan did during his stay in Cebu and until to his death in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City.

He is a Portuguese and led the Spanish Voyages to circumnavigate the world. The Spaniards were looking to a certain place know as the Island of Spices that time. They ended up at Limasawa, Leyte, a province also located in the Philippines and there, they got what they've looking for.

When Magellan and his ship landed in Sugbo(Cebu City), it is when the mark of Christianity in the Philippines started. Rajah Humabon was the first to be coverted including his family and later some Sugbuanons.

Ferdinand was never contented and stepped his foot to the island of Mactan. There, he proposed the same offer he gave to Rajah Humabon to Datu Lapulapu. But Lapulapu refused to the offer given and that started the conflict and resulted to war. Magellan was killed by one of Lapulapu's comrades. That is the Battle of Mactan that until today, it is being celebrated every year in commemoration of Lapulapu's triumph.

Painting depicting the Battle of Mactan, source

And now for some paintings.

Paintings from Oponganon(people living in Lapu-Lapu City) Artists.

Paintings of Old Houses, the fish port parola and some old architectures.

Old tools, lusong used for grinding or powdering herbs and crops.

Old jars known as banga

And mosaics

This mosaic art of Magellan's Cross that resembles Magellan's contribution to the Sugboanon, the Christianity.

This mosaic art of our Patron Virgin De La Regla.

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Overall, the place, with a great ambiance, showcases the artistry of all Oponganons. It shows what's the true value of our culture despite the modernization we are facing by preserving these treasured artifacts and arts.

Come and visit Lapu-Lapu Art Gallery now!

References: Ref1 Ref2 Ref3

"best of time"