Lapu-Lapu (film)

Lapu-Lapu is a 2002 Filipino historical film co-produced and directed by William G. Mayo and written by Jerry O. Tirazona. It stars Lito Lapid as the titular datu, alongside Joyce Jimenez, Dante Rivero, Vic Vargas, Roi Vinzon, Jeric Raval, Ian Veneracion, Jess Lapid Jr., and Gloria Sevilla. Produced by Calinauan Cineworks, the film is based on the 1521 encounter of Datu Lapulapu and other pre-Hispanic Philippine natives with explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his crew, who were serving the Spanish Empire.

Lapu-Lapu was released on December 25, 2002 as part of the 28th Metro Manila Film Festival. Earning only ₱5.7 million by the end of the festival against a budget of at least ₱35 million, it was a box-office bomb. However, the film won seven FAP Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Mayo), and Best Actor (Lapid).

Cast

 * Lito Lapid as Lapu-Lapu
 * Joyce Jimenez as Bulakna
 * Dante Rivero as Magellan
 * Vic Vargas as Raha Humabon
 * Roi Vinzon as Datu Zula
 * Jeric Raval as Maltug
 * Ian Veneracion as Sebastian Del Cano
 * Bob Soler as Pigafetta
 * Jess Lapid Jr. as Zula's Man
 * Gloria Sevilla as Reyna Bauga
 * Cloyd Robinson as Padre Valderrama
 * Renato del Prado as Itong
 * Lucita Soriano as Mother of Katulanga
 * Cris Daluz as Father of Katulanga
 * Boy Alano as Lagum
 * Lilia Cuntapay as a Babaylan
 * Leon Miguel as Lapu-Lapu's Man
 * Boy Roque as Kawati

Production
A Spanish galleon replica was made for the film within a span of three months, and subsequently donated to a museum in Subic, Zambales after production. There were approximately 3,000 extras hired for the film.

Reception
At the 28th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the film lost the Best Film award to Spirit Warriors: The Shortcut, upon which the producers threatened to sue the festival organizers due to suspicions of manipulation.

Box office
Lapu-Lapu was the least-earning film at the box office among the nine entries of the 28th MMFF.

Critical response
The Catholic Initiative for Enlightened Movie Appreciation (CINEMA) rated the film "morally acceptable" and "technically average", with praise held for Lito Lapid and Joyce Jimenez's performances, while criticisms were directed at the incongruous film score and the galleon ship used for production, stating that the latter was "unbelievable".