Filipinos are being challenged to proclaim their heroism and carry their Filipino pride before a Spanish warship arrives in the Philippines to mark 500 years since Ferdinand Magellan’s world expedition landed on the islands in 1521.
Liter of Light founder Illac Diaz, who has created giant solar artworks of the Philippine flag, Jose Rizal’s portrait, and the world’s largest Rosary as tributes to Filipinos, issued the call just ahead of the 100-day countdown to April 27, the day the Filipino nation marks the 500th anniversary of Lapu-Lapu’s Victory at Mactan when the local leader battled Magellan’s forces.
“Even the natives of America have cancelled Colombus Day, we should remember and celebrate our heroism and heritage before the arrival of the Spanish vessels in the Philippines,” explained Diaz, who followed Magellan’s route on a 100 Days Voyage of Light Around the World while creating solar lamps and distributing them to remote communities without electricity.
“Like the founders of the Filipino nation, we, the Filipinos of today, acknowledge its symbolism as the light that illuminates our path to be free, sovereign, and victorious always. Lapulapu and Mactan are our common heritage as a Filipino. Let that spirit of valor transcend in our times, as we face new challenges: rising sea temperatures, more extreme weather conditions, and global health pandemics. Together with the rest of the world, our time requires us, Filipinos, to stand up and take our part in protecting our home planet,” said the leader of the homegrown international solar lighting movement.
The Edison Awards winner posted his challenge on social media: “Requesting a FAVOR that happens every 500 years. We are counting down on January 17 the 100 Days till the VICTORY in MACTAN and need you to join us on social media to remember that our spirit was never conquered.”
“Please print this out and say these lines to help celebrate heroism of Lapu Lapu 500 years ago when he defeated Magellan. A Spanish warship will be arriving at the straights of Cebu to celebrate Magellan’s voyage on April 27, 2021, and want to make sure we are united in messaging as a VICTORIOUS race before they arrive later this year,” said Diaz.
The award-winning Light it Forward campaign leader is calling on Filipinos to print out the Quincentennial Commemorations of the Philippines official logo found in this link and hold it up as they take a photo or video to be posted on social media along with the following caption either in Filipino or English:
In Filipino:
Ako si _______ ipinagmamalaki ko ang pagiging Pilipino
Nagmula ako sa lahi ng mga bayani
May pagmamahal sa Diyos at bayan
Kaisa ako sa pag-aalaala sa ika-limandaang taong kabayanihan ni Lapu-Lapu sa Mactan
In English:
I am _______ proud to be Filipino
I come from the cradle of heroes
Raised with love for God and country
We are one in commemorating the 500th year of Lapu-Lapu’s heroism in Mactan
“We celebrate the past and show what Filipinos can do in the future for the world as we face the challenge of climate change,” Diaz told Good News Pilipinas.
The Liter of Light is building larger and larger solar artworks of Filipino heroism including the Quincentennial Commemorations logo that will be lit in the evening of January 17 at Luneta Park.
The group is raising funds for 4,000 solar lights to create the Filipino Warrior giant artwork for April 27. You can be part of the movement by building your own solar light at home and donate it to a village through the Liter of Light. You can find the solar lamp kit on Lazada.
SEND SUPPORT AND CHEERS to the Liter of Light and Illac Diaz as they challenge Pinoys to proclaim their heroism as the Spanish warship arrives to mark Magellan’s voyage in the Philippines.
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