Sun.Star: City council wants Pacquiao to act as Datu Lapu-Lapu

LAPU-LAPU CITY - With a very tight budget and few actors for the “Kadaugan sa Mactan" this year, Lapu-Lapu City has come up a crowd-drawing idea--ask Manny “Pacman" Pacquiao to play the role of Datu Lapu-Lapu. The City Council, in a special session the other day, approved en masse a resolution asking Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, Manny’s full name, to demonstrate once again how the strength and bravery of the first Filipino hero repulsed the attack of Portuguese conqueror Ferdinand Magellan 487 years ago. With a budget of only P791,000 and half the number of actors compared to last year, officials of the tourism commission are hoping for a better reenactment on April 27 with Pacquiao as an attraction. The week-long affair had the City spending P1.5 million last year. In 2006, the City spent P2.2 million because it took some of the activities to malls in Cebu City, including musical and folk dances. “It would be a great honor that the role of Datu Lapu-Lapu be portrayed by an equally brave and strong gentleman in the likes of Manny Pacquiao," the resolution said. Vice Mayor Mario Amores said that being the first Asean boxer to hold three titles after a split decision win over Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez last March 15 for the WBC super featherweight belt, Pacquiao deserves to portray Datu Lapu-Lapu. But none from the council, mayor’s office or from the tourism commission explained the decreasing budget for the annual celebration. Last year, Lapu-Lapu and Magellan each had 40 warriors, but now they are down to only 26, including tribesmen leaders. Their snacks, meals and transportation allowances totaled P296,000. The balance will go to the props, honorarium for the choreographers and other support staff and equipment. Amores said there is also no assurance that President Arroyo will grace the affair as she did in the last two years. The week-long activities will kick off on April 18. - Sun.Star