He is considered as the first warlord to repel western aggression in southeast Asia.

Legend relates the early tales of his life but it was Pigafetta’s narration that tells the heroism of Lapu Lapu. While the Rajah of Cebu, all the chieftains of the area and all the native kings paid their homage, only the Rajah of Mactan, Lapu Lapu refused to submit. Thus, on midnight of April 26, 1521 Magellan set out for Mactan and reached the island just before dawn. A fierce and bloody battle ensued in its shores. The soldiers of Magellan advanced to the island while the native warriors waited for their advance. The battle lasted for more than an hour which caused the life of Magellan.

Lapu Lapu is called the first successful defender of freedon, the first Filipino who defied a conqueror, who preserved and championed the rights of the natives against the encroachment of the Spaniards.