Informative Essay on Mactan Shrine

Mactan Island is a Cebu island in the Philippines. It is located a few kilometers off
the coast of Cebu and is linked to the mainland by the Mactan Mandaue Bridge and a
second bridge, the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. Mactan is well-known for its tourist
attractions and commercial resorts located along its shores. Most locals and tourists
prefer these because they can be reached in a matter of minutes from anywhere on the
island and are only a few hours' drive from Cebu City. The province's airport is also
located on the island. Mactan is a small but rapidly developing island.
The Mactan Shrine preserves the Philippines' early history. Spain colonized and
ruled the Philippine Islands for over 300 years. They first arrived in 1521. As a result,
the presence of Hispanics in the country is not surprising. One of these is the
monument built in memory of the Portuguese navigator Captain and General Ferdinand
Magellan, which greets you at the shrine's center. The 30 meter high obelisk was built in
1866 by the Spanish Colonial Rulers of the Philippines. It was constructed of coral.
Magellan's name is written in Spanish on one side, "Hernando de Magallanes," on the
other, "Glorias Espanolas," which means Spanish glory, and on the third, "Siendo
Gobernador Don Miguel Creus," the Philippine Spanish Governor at the time. The
inscription "Reinando Ysabel II" can be found on the fourth side of the structure, which
means "Reign of Ysabel II," the Queen of Spain at the time.
King Charles I of Spain dispatched an expedition to find a western sea route to
Asia in search of the Spice Islands, which were rumored to produce spices. They had
successfully converted the Chief of Cebu and neighboring chiefs to Christianity and
pledged their allegiance to the King of Spain. However, one chief, a Mactan chief,
refused to pay tribute to the King of Spain. The other chief of the aforementioned island,
Zula, had already paid tribute. Ferdinand Magellan sailed to Mactan to meet with this
Chief, who refused to accept Spanish rule. The latter maintained his position. A stone
marks the exact location where the general was killed. The National Historical Institute
built it in 1941.
We meet Chieftain Lapu Lapu, the brave Chief who refused to bow down to a
new ruler, further into the park near the shore. He is standing very protective of his land,
holding his shield in one hand and a sword in the other, facing the rest of the shore
where the well-known Battle of Mactan occurred. Chief Lapu Lapu is regarded as the
first Filipino hero because he was the first native Filipino to refuse the sovereignty of a
foreign ruler. Every year, the Battle of Mactan is reenacted and celebrated on the same
shores. It's almost unfathomable how this once-heated battleground has been
transformed into a peaceful tourist attraction.
Walking towards the beach, one can see tiny crabs poking through the holes and
snails lazily crawling on the moist sands. Mangroves grew along the coast as well. The
shores are stretched and the waters are far away from the shrine during a low tide. The
view is beautiful at sunset. This is one location you should not miss. The Mactan Shrine
is a tranquil mini-haven that tells the story of brave and great men who made their mark
on this small island.