I.

Original Text Summary:

An Excerpt from the chronicle of Cebu, Aginid, Bayok sa Atong Tawarik:
“Under Humabon, the sibo or sibu in Parian became more progressive. Here, the “sinibuayng
hingpit” (meaning a place for full trade) was carried on. The word Cebu is thus coined from the old
word sibo, an old word for barter, trade, swap. At this time, Lapulapu Dimantag arrived from Borneo
and asked Humabon for a place to settle. Being an orang laut (man of the sea), Humabon offered the
Opong island but Lapulapu was later convinced to settle in Mandawili (now Mandaue) and make the
land productive because it was impossible to cultivate food crops in Opong because of its rocky
terrain. Under Lapulapu’s leadership, trading in Parian further flourished because of the goods which
he brought from the land and sea in northern Cebu. It did not take long though that his relationship with
Humabon turned hostile. Lapulapu eventually became a mangatang (pirate) who ordered his men to
loot ships that pass by Opong island. This had lowered the trading transactions in Parian, thus creating
tension between Humabon and Lapulapu. Opong island thus earned the ill-reputed
name mangatang which later evolved into the word Mactan. In 1521, the Spanish conquistadors came
to the Visayan shore. Humabon thought that they came to Cebu to establish ties with his kingdom as
did the other traders from Asia. The blood compact between him and the Spaniards and later, a mass
baptismal, all meant to signify goodwill as far as Humabon was concerned. But the Spaniards did not
see it that way. For them, it was the start of the colonization of the island, signified by the planting of
the cross. It was only a little later that Humabon realized this. With the baptismal, Humabon’s subjects
embraced a religion which they vaguely understood and without knowing that they had been converted
at all, or so the Aginid said. Known to be a wily man, Humabon encouraged the Spaniards to fight
Lapulapu, his enemy. Thus, the battle of Mactan. Lapulapu proved to be a true warrior in that battle. He
instructed his men not to waste their spears and bolos on the Spaniards. Instead, he taught them to
strike with pestle or with a club so that when the armor coat of the ugis (white man) is dented, the man
inside can never move. It was when they should hit hard with their keen tools for warfare. Humabon’s
men merely observed the battle but helped in putting back the wounded white men in their boats.
Lapulapu, who was also wounded, lost 29 men. The Aginid narrated that while the battle of Mactan
raged on, the Spaniards who remained in Sugbo raped the women. This angered Humabon but he
remained outwardly polite as he carefully planned his revenge. The chief prepared a feast for the
Spaniards by the beach. When the white men were drunk enough, the natives began to slaughter them.
A few managed to escape and return to the three ships, the Concepcion, the Trinidad and the Victoria.”
- hispanismo.org

II. Malingin - the daughter of Lapulapu Dimantag; not much is known about her , except for a few oral
sources that state that she has a brother named Sawili and her mother is Bulakna, a princess from
another chieftain’s tribe.

III. “Father…”
A lonely child sprung up from her rattan hammock under two coconut trees by the beach. She just
had a bad dream about her father getting killed by a giant crocodile that ravaged the land just after
Sri Humabon, another chieftain planted a giant cross carried by ugis (white men).

“That’s not it…”

…?

“That’s not my dream. Stop making it up whoever you are!”

She heard me? I uhh…

“Yes, I hear you. Loud and clear. What do you want from me? Are you another trader wanting to
ask for help from father? Just so you know, my father does not cower under any man!”

…
Okaayy. Little girl, you’re Malingin, correct?

“Yes, I am~”
May I stay with you just until I finish this short side-story I’m making? Just for a little while. I’m
not from your time so that is why I’m trying to find out what happened behind the scenes…

“What is a side-story? A story on the side? Is it shorter than a bedtime story?”

It’s a story about si-

“What is behind the scenes? What IS a scene?????”

A scene is a short ev-

“Ohhhhh, so a scene is a story?!”

Ahh, yes in a way. Anyway can I sta-

“Malingin. ” said Lapulapu

“Yeah, he is Lapulapu, my father.”

…
I’m just narrating a bit so that the readers can understand better can you not mind my remarks for
a bit?

“Ooohhh narrating… I see, what’s that?”

Oh here comes her father rushing to her. Poor him he does not know what is going on…

“Malingin, who are you talking to?” asked Lapulapu to his 7 year old daughter while carrying his
scimitar ready for actio-

“I’ve passed 84 moons in my life, I’m not that young. That is sti-”

“MALINGIN! Are you STILL not listening to me? I’M ASKING YOU, who ARE you
TALKING TO?” said Lapulapu in a thunderous voice, that maybe shook the sky a bit…

“No one father.. Just me, myself and that little turtle over there. May I keep him? Pleaseee???”
said the little girl trying to make sense of her actions for her father.

She winks ate me.

Nice job little girl.

“(Mhrm.)” remarked Malingin secretly.

“(Hmmm.. The spirit of the sea may be at work here…) Sure, go ahead, but you are responsible
for its health and wellbeing, okay? We don’t want to upset the spirits…” said Lapulapu, finally
cooling down and started to walk back to their small hut overlooking the sea after thinking for a
bit about the weird phenomenon.

Umm, Malingin?

“Yes?” said she while carrying the baby turtle on her palms.

You don’t mind being described right? Because I will decribe your every move and others’ too.

“I do, but for the time being, I’ll try to ignore your descriptive remarks and comments.”

Thank you!

During this time, Humabon and Lapulapu-

“Hey, please say their titles. We have been taught to respect our elders by mother and father.”

Okaayy.

During this time, Raja Humabon and Datu Lapulapu are in bad blood with each other because of
the latter’s pangangatang , or piracy, in which he, Datu Lapulapu and his men loo-

Oh wait, Malingin, did you hear all that I said?

“... No”

You heard it didn’t you.

“.…… No.”

Ah, so you did hear…

“So, what if I did?”

You would not hate your father right?

“Yeah. I already know about it. I even help in sometimes, like robbing the traders of their cups
after they get drunk, or help tie the rope for the ships…”

But, why the sad expression?

“You make my father sound sooo baaaaddd…” she replies with tears welling up in her eyes.

No nononononono. Wait, please I did not mean it that way, I was just stating the facts, that’s all. I
never said that your father was bad. Your father is a hero, so he is good okay?

“He’s a hero? Like the Baganis from the south?”

Yeah, soon..

And so as the sun went down, the young Malingin looked up to the skies and wondered what kind
of hero her father would be in the future with a bright smile. She went back to the hut where her
family was waiting for her for their meal together. Sawili, the brother, wanted to borrow the turtle
away the moment he laid eyes on it but Datu Lapulapu reprimanded him to stay still and
remember discipline, probably not wanting to remove the supposed spiritual turtle from its maybe
chosen one.. Sawili always spent his time with animals and that is why he loves them. Bulakna,
their mother, Lapulapu’s wife, was a princess from another tribe. She is a caring mother to her
children and teaches them new things everyday as a part of their routine.

The next day..

“It’s still midnight why are you saying the next day?”

The transition is slow y’know

“Nevermind, good night.”

The next day, many of datu Lapulapu’s men came to the young datu’s hut..

“Datu! Datu!” said the group’s leader. “There are foreigners on ships, three ships. And they seem
to be newcomers wanting to trade. What do we want to do datu?”

“Scout them. Find out if they want to trade or not.” declared Lapulapu.
“And, if they’re rich.” he added.

The men went to Sibo and observed their rival clan’s leader, Rajah Humabon, and his wife Juana,
receive a small statue of a young boy. They also received a giant-

“Is he handsome?”

And so it seems that young Malingin has snuck into the scouting team’s location, all by herself
too. That’s brave..

“Heehee praise me some more” said the mischievous little squirt.

“...”

And then she went silent.

Anyway, the scouting men continued to observe while making sure that they are the ones that are
watching, not the ones being watched. They spread out in the forest and small hills with their
weapons drawn, prepared for anything..

“Except for that…” said the young Malingin, who saw a very big wooden cross that, I’m sure, not
one in the island knows about.

“Can you stop calling me young? I’m not a little kid.” complained Malingin in a way that almost
made everyone aware of her due to her loud tantrum…

“Hmph.”

… Let’s continue. Anyway-

“ANYWAYY, what is that, handcrafted firewood perhaps? They are very rich if they even use big
smooth lumber for firewood…”

Sigh.
The men saw the big wooden cross carried by the foreigners’ slaves. What seemed to be the
leader of the newcomers, held a blood compact with the Rajah Humabon with each of their
respective compatriots shaking each other’s hands, or pounding their chests with respect for the
ones in front of them. After that the group then erected the giant wooden cross.

“Why are they submerging themselves in water!?” asked Malingin with a worried look on her
face.

Ahh, the baptism starts now..

“What is a baptism?” she asked.

The event happening right now is a baptism. It is the welcoming ceremony of a person into a
religion, in this case, Christianity. The Rajah, his wife, and his people before us are now getting
indoctrinated into the foreigners’ faith. In other words, they are starting the first steps towards
colonization.

And with that her eyes shot up.

“Colonization? Isn’t that what we do when we occupy a place that we discover and make houses
and stuff? Many of my father’s friends talk about it when they are drinking, saying that they see a
piece of land that is rich in resources” she said.

The scouting men are put off by the weird event that is happening and send some of their
members back to the camp. The rest that remained move closer in order to be able to hear.

“I need to tell father.” said Malingin ignoring my remark as she sprints away back home.
That speed… Lapulapu’s family really is supernatural.

While the young Malingin was running as fast as she could through all the bushes and trees. The
scouting men that remained were caught red-handed by Rajah Humabon’s men.

“You’re spying on me? I can’t have that…” said the just recently baptized Rajah Humabon.

“My fellow friends and brothers! Do you know of the island in the east? It is a land ruled by
another chieftain like me. The land called Mangatang because of the nature of the people there.
They’re pirates, they loot ships and steal materials from the traders that pass through. Maybe you
can help in straightening them up?” added Rajah Humabon, as he gave a suggestion to his new-
found foreign brothers.

“Yes. We shall.” replied the captain.

“Father! Father! Father! I need to tell you something!” said Malingin as she rushed to her father,
who was waiting in his throne in the middle of the hut.

“What is it? Did something happen to your turtle?” asked Lapulapu as he smiled gently at his
daughter.

“It’s an emergency! Please listen to me. The foreigners that landed this morning aim to colonize
our land!”

“ What?!”

“They already turned the Rajah Humabon and his clan on their side, and they are planning to get
us next!” exclaimed Malingin as his father was filled with equal shock and suspicion.

And then one of his scout’s team arrived in the hut.

“Datu! The foreigners are carrying with them a strange big cross and have submerged the Rajah
Humabon and his people in water in some kind of ritual.” reported the just arrived scout member.

“Ready our forces! What are these foreigners? Details now.” asked Lapulapu to his scout
member.

“They wear metal plates and have the long sticks with gunpowder! They have long straight
swords and have white colored skin. They aboard three ships and are composed of around 600
members.” replied the scout member.

Just then, another scout member arrived in the hut, this time with sweat pouring down his troubled
face.

“Leader! The scouting team was discovered by Rajah Humabon and they seem to want the
foreigners to attack us.” declared the just arrived scout member.

“You have done well. Rest and prepare for battle. We will not cower! Prepare clubs and pestles to
break their armor in before you use your blades. Tell this to everyone, I want them to regret ever
setting foot on our land.” said the courageous warrior leader as he commanded orders to his men
with his experience as a seasoned fighter and charisma as the chosen leader of the island.

““Yes sir!!””

All of that while Malingin went and spread the word of invasion to her people.

“I dreamt of fire and brimstone, just like in the old stories that mother used to say before bed. I
need to tell everyone about this.” said Malingin as she muttered words to herself while running.
Aside from her speed, which she got from her lineage, Malingin can see visions of the future, that
is her power. Her father, Lapulapu was one of the strongest and most respected people in the clan,
and that is because he was also blessed with the gift of strength and charisma from his late father,
the strongest of them all, Datu Manggal, who had the power of talismans, or anting-antings by his
side. Malingin got his power of foresight and Lapulapu got his supernatural strength.

With this Malingin, can see the future, although only in the way of dreams, and that is also part of
the reason why she always sleeps, in her rattan hammock all day long, only going back home to
eat and for her mother’s daily teachings. She cannot sleep well because of her dreams and only
find solace in the beach by the ocean, listening to the crashing of the waves.

“You really do know everything huh..” said Malingin as she went to the next hut after another
telling of her dreams.

“Maybe you can warn my father about the whole situation? I cannot explain it properly because I
don’t know much about this whole mess..” she added.

I’m sorry but I can’t.

I was not supposed to be heard by anyone in this story. The only exception was Malingin who
somehow heard me and that was it. No one else was able to.

“Why could that be?” asked Malingin as she continued warning the villagers of the possible
tragedy that would befall them.

“Why would there be tragedy?” asked Malingin as she saw an empty baby turtle shell, next to a
burnt-out fire on the way to another hut.

“(Why?)”

The little girl continued to run to other huts to warn them of danger and the possible invasion that
was to happen soon.

“A letter for the Datu!” said a carrier waving a scroll to his leige.

Lapulapu opened the scroll and it read:

“Send tribute!
For the King of Spain is coming your way.
Rejoice!
Our presence will grace your fields
And cleanse your minds of animistic filth.

Magellan, Ferdinand
Captain of the Spanish Fleet”

“Ksshhrrkkk” Lapulapu crumpled the scroll and unfurled it again, this time tearing it to pieces and
scattering it all to the bushes.

“Let them be. We won’t be sending them any tribute whatsoever. We don’t serve any king, we
serve our people!” Declared the chieftain with unwavering conviction.

“Mhm” nodded Malingin as she watched her father right beside her brother and her mother.

“We will win this.” Declared the little girl on her own.
And so, weeks passed and the Spaniards sent another letter containing the message, this time, with
a threat to kill their people if they still disobey.

But even with that threat, Lapulapu still went by his preparations undaunted.

He gathered 1,500 warriors, ready to fight for their land, not wanting to give it away to strangers
and newcomers that seek to overwrite their heritage and beliefs.

They would repel these invaders and write history.

Dawn came in the 27th of April 1521, and Magellan, the captain, with his 49 heavily-armored
compatriots, each adorning plate armor with lances, crossbows, swords and muskets, walked on
the shore and approached the datu Lapulapu’s balangay.

Lapulapu saw them and sent a messenger.

“The datu insists that the battle commence underneath the bright sun, in order for everyone to
fight well.” said the messenger to the invaders’ captain.

“A bold move. Very well, we will battle come morning.” replied Magellan as he orders his men to
rest for the time being.

The 49 Spaniards and their captain, Magellan waited until the morning came.

“This is intense…” said the young Malingin carrying her bag of tar.

“This tar is sticky, great for traps. Heeheee” added she while looking at the armored group from
behind the trees.

It was low tide and the beach sand was soft. The water only allowed the galleons to park far from
the shore and thus, the cannons cannot be used…

“Nice! To think that the heavens would smile upon our battle today.” said Malingin. “The battle is
beginning…” she added.

And so it was. Lapulapu and his men, 1500 warriors strong faced the radiant spanish fleet’s army
lead by the captain Magellan.

They stared at each other, sizing up the other, pinpointing the weakspots of each others’ men.

“They are many but we are strong! They are but monkeys compared to us, individually gifted
warriors of Spain.” said a member of the spanish crew as they gloated at the “poor” warriors of
the balangay

““Attack!!”” declared the two sides in their respective tongues.

The spaniards shot their muskets at the naked mangatangs perhaps as a way to demoralize them
but then…

They rushed in a flood.

The mangatangs swarmed the spanish army and surrounded them. Arrows rained as the muskets
fired. Some arrows hit the their targets but only dented the thick armor of the foreigners.

Some of Lapulapu’s men dropped dead as they were shot. But still they charged.

Looming ever closer, the mangatangs approach made the spanish uneasy.

”Aren’t they supposed to cower in fear?” wondered one of the riflemen as he reloaded his musket
with gunpowder behind the frontlines.
“We killed some of them…” replied the other

“Crazy natives.” said the first, as he watched the approaching tide of brown-skinned men
threatening to run them over.

“We’ve already won.” said the captain as he saw some smoke in the distance.

“The huts are on fire!” said one native as she helped others in the village escape.

“The children! Get them quick!” said a native as he rushed to his family.

The spaniards set up in the shore but they also sent some to the back of the datu Lapulapu’s
village, with the help of Rajah Humabon’s guidance, and set fire to the houses.

As the fires raged and the forest lit up, the ones who charged at the spaniards suddenly stop.

They looked at their homes consumed by the flames of greedy explorers seeking to conquer their
homeland.

Then they stepped forward again, this time with a more resounding force.

“ROOOUUUUAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!” shouted the leader of the defending side.

The Datu Lapulapu, his roar echoed through whole island. Time seemed to stop, the spanish army
reaffirmed themselves after trembling in their boots for a bit.

This time, a black tide seemed to wash up the invading army. Malingin with her speed, washed
black tar over the heavily-armored army, and then darted away back to her post in the forest.

The mangatangs held their sabres high and charged. They smacked and clamored their clubs and
pestles on the thick armor, smashing it in, before they stabbed and poked at the human within for
the kill.

They were like monsters, taking out the invading army one by one, inspiring fear among them.

“Retrea-ngrhh” shouted the captain as he was shot in the leg with a poisoned arrow.

“Hehe b***h” said the angry Malingin with a blank smile plastered on her face.

Family-friendly please, thank you!

“Umm, why? One of father’s friends said that the captain is a- ” asked the innocent young fellow.

It’s a bad word, and bad words shouldn’t be used by children. That’s all she needs to know…

The arrow pierced through the captain Magellan’s right leg, disabling him from moving any
further.

Lapulapu’s eyes flamed in fury as he locked into his next target. Many stood in his path, but he
could not be stopped. Undeterred, he charged, killed every single one who approached him in one
swift strike each, he finally arrived at his destination: the captain.

“Shall I die?” muttered the poor Magellan in anguish.

Lapulapu stabbed a bamboo spear unto his sword-arm and whispered something to Magellan’s
ear…

“Now rest…” said Lapulapu as he took out his sword and rested it at the captain’s throat.

They looked at each other’s eyes.

“God” trailed Magellan’s final words as his head was cut off before Lapulapu raised it to the
remaining Spaniards who unequipped their boots in order to escape from the sticky tar and soft
sand that made it heavier.

With that final spatter of blood, the battle ended with the mangatangs’ victory.

A while ago while the battle was going on, the women in sugbu were raped by the foreigners.
This angered the Rajah Humabon so much, to think that he was fooled by the gracefulness of the
foreigners who only hid the animals inside.

After the battle on the shore of Mangatang, the Rajah Humabon held a feast with the Spaniards
and served them food and drink. But the drinks and the food were filled with poison, and the ones
who did not die of poisoning, died at the hands of the natives.

The Spaniards escaped to their boats, leaving one behind, as there were not enough men to man
the ship any longer. The remaining ship was burned down, never to be seen again.

The courageous Lapulapu and his equally brave people suffered 29 losses, but successfully
defended their homeland from the avaricious hands of the western explorers.

“Goodbye?” asked Malingin at no one in particular as she was staring at the setting sun, now back
in her rattan hammock.

“Who are you?” she asked again, this time with a different question

“...”

Thanks.