Here's why 2021 is a special year for the Philippines

This year, the Philippines will commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan, the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines, and the country's part in the first circumnavigation of the planet.

In line with this, the National Quincentennial Commission and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) prepared a list of events that will happen throughout the country in the whole year.

The National Quincentennial Commission will unveil several historical markers around the country that are part of the first circumnavigation of the planet. Alongside these events are online lectures about prominent figures such as the first Bishop of Manila, Bishop Domingo de Salazar, OP and the architect of the circumnavigation, Ferdinand Magellan.

The whole-year affair will also commemorate the bicentenary birth of Jose Felipe Del-Pan, a champion of Nascent Philippine Studies and Filipino Scholarship, and the birth centenary of William Henry Scott, a scholar of Philippine Pre-Colonial History.

Here's a list of key events that will happen this year around the country.

January 6

As a tribute to the frontliners, the Archdiocese of Manila will lead the lighting of the biggest solar-powered LED rosary in the world at Luneta Park, dubbed as the "Light of Faith." The event will also be live-streamed on Manila Cathedral's Facebook page at 9:00 P.M..

January 17

The 100-day countdown of the Philippines' quincentennial commemoration will officially begin at Liberty Park in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. On the same day, Liberty Park will be declared as the "Site of Permanent Display of the Philippine Flag."

March 16

To commemorate the beginning of the 500th anniversary of the Philippines' part in the first circumnavigation of the world, the government will unveil the Samar Quincentennial Historical Marker at Calicoan, Guiuan, Eastern Samar at 8:00 A.M., and the Suluan Quincentennial Historical Marker at 2:00 P.M.

March 18

To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Philippine-Spanish Contact, the unveiling of the Homonhon Quincentennial Historical Marker will happen in Homonhon Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

March 24-26

The Spanish Navy training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano will visit the ports of Cebu City and Manila.

March 27

Inauguration of the Battle of Mactan Diorama at Sulu Garden, Miag-ao, Iloilo.

March 31

The Diocese of Maasin will lead the 500th anniversary of the mass at Limasawa at Limasawa Shrine in Southern Leyte.

April 7

The Cebu Quincentennial Historical Marker will be unveiled in Cebu City as part of the 500th anniversary of the first circumnavigation of the world.

April 14

The 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines will be commemorated in Cebu City.

April 27

The 500th Anniversary of the Victory at Mactan will be commemorated at Liberty Shrine in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. There will also be nationwide simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying rites on public plazas and monuments throughout the country.

On the same day, the groundbreaking of the Lapu-Lapu Memorial Shrine and Museum will also take place. There will also be a televised Quincentennial D-Day Celebration at the newly-restored Metropolitan Theater in Manila and at Liberty Shrine in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City.

October 13-15

The 19th Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day will be celebrated in Zamboanga City.

October 20-22

The Philippine International Quincentennial Conference will commence in Cotabato City.

To know more details about these events, visit the National Quicentennial Commission's and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines's Facebook pages