The City of Lapu-Lapu recently unveiled the new look of one of Cebu’s biggest and most important historical sites. After weeks of work, the famous Mactan Shrine in Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, was finally re-opened to the public. The renovation and the subsequent opening came just in time for the 2019 Kadaugan sa Mactan celebrations this month.
Before we check out the photos of the brand-new park, however, let us take a look at the old Mactan Shrine that we all love. Check out the photos below:
In the old version of the Shrine, the statue of Lapu-Lapu is protected by a waist-high steel fence. The statue is also standing close to the gate which leads visitors to the beach.
Ornamental plants can be seen all over the park. In fact, the very statue is surrounded by different kinds of shrubs.
Situated behind the statue are the giant flag pole and the Magellan Shrine. Both are also surrounded by plants and small trees.
Now, let’s take a look at the Shrine today.
First, they tore down the high fence which separates the park from the beach. Now, the whole area is just open with only a knee-high concrete barricade separating the beach from the concrete clearing. And check out the giant billboard! It looks really gorgeous!
The flag pole is pretty much still in the same spot. However, it is no longer surrounded by shrubs and trees.
They installed steel grandstand to accommodate as man people as possible. The reenactment of the Battle of Mactan will be held in this very same spot.
They have moved the statue of Lapu-Lapu a few meters towards the beach. It now stands directly behind the flag pole.
Here is a quick 180-degree view of the park from the beach.
The stage still stands at the right side of the park, only several meters away from the beach.
Here is a view of the flagpole and the beach just a few meters away.
One of the things I really appreciate is the presence of trash bins. This is a good start. The more open the place is, the easier it is to spot trash.
Here are the newly-built houses on stilts which, I think, are part of the whole re-enactment production.
Here is a view of the big open beach and the bamboo houses constructed for the Kadaugan sa Mactan.
Here is the view of the statue of Datu Lapu-Lapu, the shrine of Magellan, and the high-rises of Mactan Newtown.
Here is a closer look at the coat of arms located at the foot of Datu Lapu-Lapu’s statue.
I noticed that the statue lost its obvious golden shimmer and is now a whole lot darker.
Probably the only area left untouched within the park are the rows of stores selling souvenir items as well as the original structure which houses the painting of the epic battle.
The new Shrine of Magellan no longer has a fence around it.
A concrete path has also been built around it to allow visitors to see the structure up close.
Just for the celebration, kiosks from different resorts and hotels in Mactan can be found on both sides of the statue. In the evening, these kiosks sell top resort specialties for cheap.
So what do you think of the brand new Mactan Shrine? Let us know in the comments section below!
