Latest news with #Lapulapu
Malay Mail
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
‘No one ever saw Lapulapu': Filipino Lav Diaz's new film ‘Magellan' challenges Philippine founding myth
CANNES, May 20 — Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal stars in a new film which re-examines the discovery of the Philippines by European explorers and questions the existence of a national resistance hero. 'Magellan', which premiered at the Cannes film festival on Sunday, is the latest feature from Filipino director Lav Diaz, who acknowledges he is tackling sensitive issues. The film takes its title from Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, played by Bernal, who set sail in the early 1500s across the Atlantic in search of Far East riches. 'He is the first European to be able to set foot in the Philippines. And at the same time, the conversion (to Christianity) of the Filipinos started with him,' Diaz told AFP. 'And, of course, colonisation eventually.' Magellan, who was sponsored by the Spanish crown, died at the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521, killed in combat by warriors said to be led by Lapulapu. Diaz puts forward a theory in his film that Lapulapu, who is now revered for his resistance, was in fact an invention of Humabon, the monarch of a neighbouring island. The Battle of Mactan 'was a trap' for the explorer, who was told that people on Mactan island were resisting the arrival of Christianity. 'No-one ever saw Lapulapu,' Diaz says, adding that his conclusions are based on 'years of research' into this key episode in Philippine history. Evidence for him is only found in the writings of Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian who accompanied Magellan and whose testimony Diaz considers unreliable. 'There will be people who accuse me of revisionism,' added the Filipino filmmaker, who won the Golden Lion top prize in Venice in 2016 for 'The Woman Who Left'. Diaz is part of the 'slow cinema' movement, which has a contemplative and minimalist style. He has described his film-making as a way for his fellow citizens to find their national identity after centuries of colonisation by Spain and the United States. Known for his lengthy works – he once said his movies were so long no-one would buy them – this latest feature is a relatively brisk two hours and 40 minutes. 'I'm just an observer. I don't like being an intruder,' he said of his directing style. His longest film runs to 11 hours and his 2016 entry for the Berlin film festival 'A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery' was eight. Diaz's filmmaking is strongly influenced by his tumultuous childhood, growing up in the conflict-plagued southern town of Datu Paglas. His parents, both state school teachers, uprooted themselves from the peaceful north to teach children in war zones how to read and write. — AFP
The Star
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Gael Garcia Bernal retells Philippines history in new film 'Magellan'; movie premieres at Cannes film Festival
(From Lleft) Portuguese actress Angela Azevedo, Filipino director,screenwriter and cinematographer Lav Diaz, Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal and Filipino actor Amado Arjay Babon pose during a photocall for the film "Magalhaes" (Magellan) at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on Monday, May 19, 2025. -- Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP CANNES, France (AFP): Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal stars in a new film which re-examines the discovery of the Philippines by European explorers and questions the existence of a national resistance hero. "Magellan", which premiered at the Cannes film festival on Sunday, is the latest feature from Filipino director Lav Diaz, who acknowledges he is tackling sensitive issues. The film takes its title from Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, played by Bernal, who set sail in the early 1500s across the Atlantic in search of Far East riches. "He is the first European to be able to set foot in the Philippines. And at the same time, the conversion (to Christianity) of the Filipinos started with him," Diaz told AFP. "And, of course, colonisation eventually." Magellan, who was sponsored by the Spanish crown, died at the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521, killed in combat by warriors said to be led by Lapulapu. Diaz puts forward a theory in his film that Lapulapu, who is now revered for his resistance, was in fact an invention of Humabon, the monarch of a neighbouring island. The Battle of Mactan "was a trap" for the explorer, who was told that people on Mactan island were resisting the arrival of Christianity. "No-one ever saw Lapulapu," Diaz says, adding that his conclusions are based on "years of research" into this key episode in Philippine history. Evidence for him is only found in the writings of Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian who accompanied Magellan and whose testimony Diaz considers unreliable. "There will be people who accuse me of revisionism," added the Filipino filmmaker, who won the Golden Lion top prize in Venice in 2016 for "The Woman Who Left". Diaz is part of the "slow cinema" movement, which has a contemplative and minimalist style. He has described his film-making as a way for his fellow citizens to find their national identity after centuries of colonisation by Spain and the United States. Known for his lengthy works -- he once said his movies were so long no-one would buy them -- this latest feature is a relatively brisk two hours and 40 minutes. "I'm just an observer. I don't like being an intruder," he said of his directing style. His longest film runs to 11 hours and his 2016 entry for the Berlin film festival "A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery" was eight. Diaz's filmmaking is strongly influenced by his tumultuous childhood, growing up in the conflict-plagued southern town of Datu Paglas. His parents, both state school teachers, uprooted themselves from the peaceful north to teach children in war zones how to read and write. - AFP
France 24
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
Gael Garcia Bernal retells Philippines history in new film
"Magellan", which premiered at the Cannes film festival on Sunday, is the latest feature from Filipino director Lav Diaz, who acknowledges he is tackling sensitive issues. The film takes its title from Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, played by Bernal, who set sail in the early 1500s across the Atlantic in search of Far East riches. "He is the first European to be able to set foot in the Philippines. And at the same time, the conversion (to Christianity) of the Filipinos started with him," Diaz told AFP. "And, of course, colonisation eventually." Magellan, who was sponsored by the Spanish crown, died at the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521, killed in combat by warriors said to be led by Lapulapu. Diaz puts forward a theory in his film that Lapulapu, who is now revered for his resistance, was in fact an invention of Humabon, the monarch of a neighbouring island. The Battle of Mactan "was a trap" for the explorer, who was told that people on Mactan island were resisting the arrival of Christianity. "No-one ever saw Lapulapu," Diaz says, adding that his conclusions are based on "years of research" into this key episode in Philippine history. Evidence for him is only found in the writings of Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian who accompanied Magellan and whose testimony Diaz considers unreliable. "There will be people who accuse me of revisionism," added the Filipino filmmaker, who won the Golden Lion top prize in Venice in 2016 for "The Woman Who Left". Diaz is part of the "slow cinema" movement, which has a contemplative and minimalist style. He has described his film-making as a way for his fellow citizens to find their national identity after centuries of colonisation by Spain and the United States. Known for his lengthy works -- he once said his movies were so long no-one would buy them -- this latest feature is a relatively brisk two hours and 40 minutes. "I'm just an observer. I don't like being an intruder," he said of his directing style. His longest film runs to 11 hours and his 2016 entry for the Berlin film festival "A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery" was eight. Diaz's filmmaking is strongly influenced by his tumultuous childhood, growing up in the conflict-plagued southern town of Datu Paglas. His parents, both state school teachers, uprooted themselves from the peaceful north to teach children in war zones how to read and write.
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Business Standard
28-04-2025
- Business Standard
Vancouver car ramming attack: Suspect charged with eight counts of murder
A 30-year-old man was charged with multiple counts of murder on allegations he killed 11 people when he crashed a car into a crowd attending a street festival in Vancouver on Saturday evening. The tragedy occurred at the annual Lapu Lapu festival, an event celebrating Filipino culture. The suspect has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, according to a report by The Guardian. Investigators have ruled out terrorism and noted that the suspect, identified as Kai-Ji Adam Lo, had a history of mental health issues. Eyewitnesses said a single vehicle was involved in the incident, which took place on East 43rd Avenue and Fraser in the southern part of Vancouver. Other witnesses reported that some of the people struck by the vehicle were standing near food trucks. Lo was apprehended by bystanders and handed over to the police. He is in custody and faces several murder charges. Police established a 24-hour assistance centre to support individuals unable to reach family or friends who attended the festival. What is the Lapu Lapu festival? The Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver, like similar celebrations in the Philippines and globally, honours Lapu Lapu, a national hero who resisted Spanish colonisation in the 1500s. Lapu Lapu, also known as Lapulapu, was an indigenous chief of Mactan, an island in the Philippines. In 1521, he and his forces defeated Spanish troops led by Ferdinand Magellan, along with some native allies, at the Battle of Mactan, delaying Spanish colonization of the region for more than 40 years. He is regarded as a hero in the present-day Philippines. Lapu Lapu Day was officially acknowledged by the government of British Columbia in 2023. Filipinos make up one of the largest immigrant communities in the province. 'Shocked, devastated': PM Carney Prime Minister Mark Carney said the attack had left the country 'shocked, devastated and heartbroken'. Vancouver's police chief, Steve Rai, described the incident as 'the darkest day' in the city's history. The incident took place just before Canadians head to voting stations on Monday following an intense election campaign in which candidates have courted voters on issues such as increasing cost of living and addressing Donald Trump's tariffs. Carney is expected to win after pledging to voters that he would confront Washington's extensive tariffs. Jagmeet Singh, the New Democratic Party (NDP) leader, had been present at the festival to engage with voters but departed approximately one hour before the incident.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Yahoo
What we know about the Vancouver car ramming attack
At least 11 people were killed after a suspected car ramming attack in the Canadian city of Vancouver on Saturday. The incident, which took place at the annual Lapu Lapu festival which celebrates Filipino culture, also left dozens of people injured. A 30-year-old male suspect has been taken into custody. An investigation into the attack has been launched. Here's what we know so far. The attack took place at approximately 20:14 local time on Saturday (03:14 GMT on Sunday) at an event marking Lapu Lapu Day, which is celebrated every year on 27 April. Police later said that tens of thousands of people had been in attendance at the festival. Follow live updates here Festival-goers said a single vehicle was involved in the attack, which took place on East 43rd Avenue and Fraser in the south of Vancouver. Witnesses later reported that the vehicle struck pedestrians at the event, at least some of whom were in an area that was being used by food trucks. The driver of the vehicle was apprehended by bystanders, and then taken into custody by police officers. The Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver, and similar festivals in the Philippines and around the world, take place every year to commemorate Lapu-Lapu, a national hero who resisted Spanish colonisation in the 1500s. Also known as Lapulapu, Lapu Lapu was an indigenous chief of Mactan, an island in the Philippines. In 1521, he and his men defeated Spanish forces led by Ferdinand Magellan and some of his native allies at the battle of Mactan, delaying Spanish occupation of the region for over 40 years. He is considered a hero in the modern-day Philippines, and monuments in his honour are common around the country. Several Filipino government organisations - such as the national police service - use his image on their seals. Lapu Lapu Day was officially recognised by the government of British Columbia in 2023. Filipinos form one of the largest immigrant groups in the province. So far, very little is known about the identity of those were were killed and wounded in the attack. In a brief news conference on Saturday, acting Vancouver police chief Steve Rai said that men, women and young people were among the victims. Their ages range from five to 65, he added. The attack has deeply affected Vancouver's tight-knit Filipino community. RJ Aquino, the head of the Filipino BC organisation, said that "last night was extremely difficult and the community will feel this for a long time." "We know that there's a lot of questions floating about and we don't have all the answers, but we want to tell everybody that we're grieving," he added. Police have not yet named the suspect, who they identified only as a 30-year-old resident of the Vancouver area. While investigators have not confirmed a motive, Rai said that police are confident "that the evidence in this case does not lead us to believe this was an act of terrorism." The suspect, he added, has "a significant history of interactions with police and healthcare professionals related to mental health". Vancouver's mayor, Ken Sim, similarly said that "mental health appears to be the underlying issue here." No further details have been provided on the previous interactions for police, what they entailed or when they took place. Rai said only that there had not been any interaction with officers in the "immediate" lead-up to the attack Community in shock as death toll in Vancouver car ramming attack rises to 11 Vancouver car ramming victims aged between five and 65, police say
