In the pre-colonial era of the Philippines, the 7000 islands that now make up the country were not united under a single flag, although the tribes had relations with each other prior to Spain’s arrival. In addition, there was evidence of trade relations between the indigenous peoples and with other neighboring countries, as evidenced by Chinese and Arabic influences that have survived even after colonization.

In 1521, the famed explorer Ferdinand Magellan landed in Homonhon, one of the outlying islands on the Eastern side of the archipelago. Magellan befriended some of the tribes that he found there and quickly went about converting them to Christianity. When he attempted to convert the people of Mactan, however, he was met with hostility and entered into combat with some of his crew members against the native people. 

Warrior leader Lapu Lapu led the battle against Magellan, with some accounts of the story claiming that Lapu Lapu had beheaded the explorer himself. Many other versions claimed that Magellan and his men were eaten by a tribe of cannibals. In fact, multiple historical recountings inaccurately describe Filipinos as cannibals and savages, which follows a theme of many other civilizations being dehumanized and belittled by Western societies to justify imperialism.  This is a trend that follows the Filipino people even into the beginnings of American influence as the myth of “the white man’s burden,” validated the U.S.’ interest in the Philippines.

The truth remains that despite what false narratives were spread, Magellan was injured in battle by a spear, and was mercilessly killed by Mactan warriors, as recorded by Magellan’s remaining men. The Battle of Mactan kept Spain from fully colonizing the islands for several decades, and marked Lapu Lapu as the Philippines’ first national hero.

Works Cited
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapu-Lapu
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Magellan