A Lapulapu Memorial Shrine and Museum is set to rise in the center of the Philippines’ celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan in the year 2021.
The National Quincentennial Committee (NQCP) unveiled the proposed design for the Lapulapu Memorial Shrine and Museum or Liberty Shrine on July 21, 2020.
The Balay sa Kagawasan or Liberty shrine project which will be dedicated to the leader and hero of the ancient Mactan community who fought Magellan and the Spanish armada is headed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
The construction of the shrine and museum is in line to the Republic Act No. 5695 (1969) which allows the establishment of a building that features “important personages, places and events, including laws, customs and traditions in the history of this nation before and during the coming of Magellan.”
Unlike the other shrines and museum in the different parts of the Philippines patterned after the neoclassical greek architecture or Spanish-Filipino Bahay na Bato structure, the Liberty shrine is inspired by the pre-colonial Visayan ruler’s balay (Cebuano for house) which happened to be the community center and the seat of government during the old times.
The Lapulapu Memorial Shrine and Museum has three major components:
1. Open space or atrium at the center will house the new Lapulapu monument.
2. The left chamber will be dedicated to the permanent exhibits.
3. The right chamber is set to be an open hall for seasonal exhibits or gatherings.
The “atup” or roof is inspired by the native Visayan sakayan or “boat” that symbolizes the lordship of the sea-raider Lapulapu during his time.
The space at the front of the edifice can be used for social events.
The Lapulapu Memorial Shrine and Museum is also said to be an environmentally-friendly structure since it will be built on stilts above the water.
As the country gets close to the 500th year anniversary of the victory in Mactan, the coming of Christian faith in the Philippines, and the successful circumnavigation of the world, the National Quincentennial Committee has already launched some of the projects in line with the upcoming celebration.
On July 17, the NQCP has released Filipino Paper Dolls craft series featuring Lapulapu and other historical figures as well as Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
During the eve of the 499th anniversary of the Battle of Mactan on April 27, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines released a new portrait of Lapulapu.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), and the PhilPop MusicFest Foundation on February 29 released the song “Mactan”, written and interpreted by indie artist/singer-songwriter Kian Dionisio.
WATCH the video of the proposed design of the Lapulapu Memorial Shrine and Museum here and SEND CHEERS in the comments below.
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