THE number of attendees during the much-anticipated 500th “Kadaugan sa Mactan” celebration in Lapu-Lapu City on April 27, 2021 will be kept to a minimum, local officials said on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021.
This is following the Lapu-Lapu City Government’s decision to limit the number of guests at the event to between 50 and 100 persons.
The capacity of the Liberty Shrine in Brgy. Mactan will be less than 50 percent, said Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan.
Chan explained that this is only for the good of the public, to prevent large crowds especially during the ongoing pandemic.
But Chan did confirm that President Rodrigo Duterte will be present during the celebration, although no date, time or event has been specified yet as of the moment.
The celebration will kick off on April 27 with a line-up of activities prepared by the government.
In the morning, a civic military parade, wreath laying ceremony and flower drop at the monument of Datu Lapu-Lapu will be held starting at 7 a.m.
The famous re-enactment of the “Kadaugan sa Mactan” will follow.
On the same day, a gala and cultural show will take place in the shrine, to be followed by a fireworks display.
There will also be a food and wine festival, as well as an exhibit of plants like bonsai.
The Lapu-Lapu City government has planned a slate of events for the whole month of April for the activity.
This includes discounts from the island’s hotels and resorts from April 1 to 30, kicking off with the launching of a new breakfast offering.
On April 4, the newly renovated Rizal Park will have its blessing ceremony. On the 13th, there will be a holy mass held at the church of Birhen sa Regla, which will be followed by a motorcade that will make rounds in the entire city and through Cordova.
On April 18 will be the “Patikan Week” at Hoops Dome and Liberty Shrine. (GCM / CBQ)