Chief Lapu-Lapu – Warrior and Hero of the Philippines

In the early 16^th century, Spain was becoming a global superpower due to innovations in navigation and seafaring. At the end of the previous century, Christopher Columbus, whose voyage had been funded by the Spanish Crown, arrived in the New World, ushering in a period of Spanish colonization in the Americas.

About 30 years after Columbus’ voyage, another navigator serving the Spanish Crown, Ferdinand Magellan, would discover a passage at the southern tip of the Americas leading to Asia. During this expedition, Magellan would reach the Philippines, and claim it for the Spanish Crown. Although his arrival was welcomed by some of the island’s rulers, Magellan made enemies too, one of whom was a local chief named Lapu-Lapu.