The Battle of Mactan: Events That Led to Magellan’s Demise

What happened during the Battle of Mactan? 

The fateful event that took place on April 27, 1521 is regarded as the first Filipino victory against foreign invaders. Pre-colonial Cebuanos overpowered a heavily armed fleet of Spanish forces led by Ferdinand Magellan. 

The area where the battle took place is one of the Philippines’ most important historical landmarks, with several monuments and markers commemorating the battle. A yearly festival is also held, where they reenact the events through song and dance.

But what is the significance of this battle? Why did the Spaniards have to resort to violence in order to have their message sent? 

Here is a short timeline of events taken from the documentation of Magellan’s chronicler, Antonio Pigafetta.

A REFUSAL OF OBEDIENCE

Early documents about the pre-colonial political climate reference a rivalry between Cebu ruler and the first Filipino Christian, Rajah Humabon, and Mactan’s pagan chieftain, Datu LapuLapu. 

The Spaniards, who had successfully converted most of the previously pagan island to Christianity, required all converts to recognize Spanish sovereignty and pay tribute to the country, as well as accept Humabon as their king.  

A study from the Sulu Garden Foundation mentions that Lapulapu obliged with Spanish sovereignty, but it was the submission to be ruled under Humabon that he did not approve of. (2020)

The study later mentions that the chieftain “would not obey anyone he did not know, even Humabon,” which frustrated Magellan, prompting his support for Zula, the only other chieftain in Mactan opposed to Lapulapu.

At midnight on the day of the battle, Magellan brought 60 Spanish soldiers and 500 Humabon-affiliated Cebuano warriors as per Zula’s request for reinforcements. Together, they burned and looted all of the 50 residences in Barangay Buaya.

This served as an ultimatum for Lapulapu, who remained steadfast in not bowing down to the Cebu chieftain. He later challenged the Spaniards to a duel, where the Battle of Mactan officially commenced. 

AN HOUR OF TERROR… FOR THE SPANIARDS

Brewing with arrogance, Magellan and his men boldly docked at the coastal side of Punta Engaño with three boats equipped with massive cannons. On board were 60 Spanish soldiers who mostly had long-range crossbows. 

Humabon and his 500 men were told to stay back as Magellan believed that the 60 soldiers would suffice against the Mactanons. 

He was in for a big and fatal disappointment.   

The area was at low tide, and the terrain was impassable because of massive rocks and corals. This forced them to get off their boats, as their cannons were no longer in range. 

Among the crew, only 49 of Magellan’s men crossed the beach, with 11 staying to watch the boats. As they arrived at shore, they were greeted by a massive army of 1,500 Mactan soldiers.  

Despite being outnumbered, Magellan and his men pushed through, confident in their expertise and extra firepower. Little did they know how difficult it was to beat Lapulapu’s men. 

Filipino historian Ambeth Ocampo, in an Opinion column in Cebu Daily News, mentioned the natives’ exquisite defense, with shields blocking the arrows shot at them. 

The Spaniards also struggled to hit them with their long-range rifles, saying they would “never stand still, but leaped hither and thither.” (2021) 

The Mactanons used makeshift swords, spears, and shields against the advanced artillery. As the Spaniards walked to shore, Lapulapu’s men aimed their poison arrows at their legs, which were left exposed. 

Some still made it to the beach, but then they had to face the natives’ skills in sword-fighting. Carrying only tribal blades, the Mactanons disposed of the soldiers through what is known as the Filipino martial art, Arnis. 

For roughly over an hour, the two parties battled it out, both sides losing several men. 

The battle ended with the death of the Portuguese explorer who led the expedition.

HOW DID MAGELLAN DIE IN THE BATTLE OF MACTAN?

There are several accounts regarding how Ferdinand Magellan perished, but one thing is common among all of them: he was not murdered by Lapulapu. 

Contrary to artistic representations, the chieftain was not a buff man with six-pack abs, but a 70-year old leader. He succeeded with leadership and bravery, motivating his people.

So who killed Magallen? And how did they do it?

Ambeth Ocampo in the aforementioned CDN column described a more brutal death for Magellan, stating that Mactanons ganged up on him, one stabbing his face and another cutting his leg. He was finished off with spears and cutlasses. (2021)

Jobers Bersales, who wrote about the Barangay Buaya raid in an Opinion piece in CDN Digital, mentioned that his death was slower, dying from a poison arrow shot by one of Lapulapu’s men. (2019) 

Finally, the Magellan’s Marker at the Mactan Shrine mentions that he simply died from his wounds in battle. 

Regardless, his death prompted around six or seven of his men, as written by Ambeth Ocampo, to flee back to the boats. All their accounts were gathered over many years, compiling everything we know now about the historic battle.

A MONUMENTAL EVENT 

Around the Mactan Shrine are several monuments serving as reminders of the fateful event.

• Lapulapu Monument