The Philippines has started the 500-day countdown to the nationwide Quincentennial Celebrations on April 27, 2021, an event that marks Lapu-Lapu’s victory in the Battle of Mactan against the Spanish fleet of Ferdinand Magellan and the first circumnavigation of the world by Magellan and Juan Sebastian Elcano.
Simultaneous launch ceremonies on December 14 were held at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu, at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila, and at the Monument of Peace and Unity in Davao City.
Carrying the theme “World of Our Ancestors”, the event also marked the simultaneous lighting ceremonies at identified landmarks throughout the country that signaled the start of the 500-days count to the 500th-anniversary celebrations.
Check out these PHOTOS and VIDEOS of selected events from the Quincentennial Countdown.
BALANGAY VOYAGE
The event day began with a program at the Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City that welcomed the arrival of replicas of the ancient Balangay boats of Butuan City, “Balangay RAYA KOLAMBU” (King of Butuan) and “Balangay RAYA SIYAGU” (King of Mazaua), after a symbolic 200-kilometer journey that started on November 23 from the Fort Balangay in Palawan to join in the 500-Day Countdown to the 500th Anniversary of the first successful voyage around the world.
QUINCENTENNIAL GIANT LANTERN
As the countdown clock marked 6 pm on December 14 the Quincentennial Giant Lantern, bearing the logo of the National Quincentennial Celebrations, was lit to signal the countdown around the Philippine archipelago.
MANILA COUNTDOWN
MANILA CATHEDRAL
The Philippine Catholic church is also commemorating 500 years since the arrival of the Christian faith and the first baptism of Rajah Humabon, Hara Humumay, and 800 natives baptized on the island of Cebu in 1521.
SEND congratulations and cheers in the comments below to the Filipino nation for marking milestones in its history!
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