THE FIRST FILIPINO HERO

LAPU LAPU(2002)

BY:Maricar Dizon

Awarded as 2002 FAP Best Picture, Lapu lapu depicts not only the life of the first Filipino hero but as well as the culture and tradition of the early inhabitants of this land. The film also grabbed the Best Director for Direk William Mayo and a Best Actor for Lito Lapid who played the role of Raha Lapu lapu.

Set in the 16th Century, the film showed the life of the most courageous ruler of Mactan and head of the confederation of seven villagers. He's just and follows traditions but still the rulers of other villages, Raha Humabon(Vic Vargas) and Datu Zula(Roi Vinzon) envy him. In between fights, early Filipinos' culture and tradition were shown; how they worship their anitos, how they give sanctions to those who break rules, how to ask for a woman's hand to marriage-as what lapu lapu did to Bulakna(Joyce Jimenez), their wedding and many more. Lapu lapu also showed how courage and intelligence can win over powerful weapons when he killed Magellan (Dante Rivero) and his army.

It was very obvious why this film had grabbed such an award. It was done magnificently . It was realistic and technically exellent. The fight scenes were wonderfully executed and the set was properly placed.

However, the transitions and flow of the story were slow. Some of the characters were very passive and there are more dialogues than actions. The film will definitely challege anyone's patience and concentration.

Either way, Lapu lapu is surely one of William Mayo's masterpiece. He was able to answer the question every Filipino have been asking ever since time immemorial, Who killed Lapu lapu?