FILM · 2026 · A PROUD BISAYA MOVIE

THE FIRST DEFENDER LAPU-LAPU

Mactan, 1521. Datu Lapu-Lapu and his people defend their island against the fleet of Ferdinand Magellan. A BisayaFlix film directed by Elcid Camacho, with Aljur Abrenica as Datu Lapu-Lapu and Akiko Solon as Reyna Bulakna.

Poster of The First Defender: Aljur Abrenica as Datu Lapu-Lapu, in a red headcloth, with tattoos and a gold collar

Poster © BisayaFlix

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PRESENTS

THE TRAILER

Lapu Lapu, First Defender: the trailer · on YouTube
Clips from the film · on YouTube
THE FILM

A LAPU LAPU STORY

Before the colonizers set foot on the shores of Mactan, Datu Lapu-Lapu was already a fierce protector of his people, his land and the legacy of his ancestors. When foreign forces arrive seeking power and submission, he refuses to bow. As war becomes inevitable, he must unite his warriors and stand against an empire determined to conquer the islands.

The film's logline, from its poster.

DIRECTORElcid Camacho

A Cebuano director. He played Lapu-Lapu himself at the Kadaugan sa Mactan re-enactment in April 2026.

DATU LAPU-LAPUAljur Abrenica

Chosen, the director says, because the part's personality and look fit him.

REYNA BULAKNAAkiko Solon

Reprising the role she played at the Kadaugan sa Mactan re-enactment.

STUDIOBisayaFlix

Executive producer Sandra Ristic.

IN CINEMASDecember 2026

The planned release, since the film was announced on 19 June 2026.

THE BATTLE27 April 1521

Mactan, across the channel from Cebu: the islanders' victory over Magellan's landing party. On Wikipedia: the battle, Lapulapu.

CAST

THE CAST

Character poster: Aljur Abrenica as Datu Lapulapu

Aljur AbrenicaAS DATU LAPULAPU

"A respected warrior and chieftain of Mactan, Lapu-Lapu is remembered for leading his people in resistance against foreign forces. In 1521, he faced the expedition of Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan, becoming a symbol of courage, independence, and defiance."

Character poster: Akiko Solon as Reyna Bulakna, at sunset by the sea

Akiko SolonAS REYNA BULAKNA

"Portrayed as a powerful and graceful woman whose strength reflects the spirit of the Visayan people during the era of Datu Lapulapu. As a respected figure in the community, she embodies courage, wisdom, and loyalty, standing alongside those who defend their homeland against foreign threats."

Character posters and descriptions © BisayaFlix.

STILLS

FROM THE PRODUCTION

The ships, the sea and the warriors of Mactan. Budots Media is part of the team bringing the story to the screen, from Lapu-Lapu City, a few kilometres from where the battle was fought.

Scenes from the film
A karakoa warship under oars on the open sea, its rowers in red
A karakoa under oars
A bearded Spanish captain in armour on the deck of a ship
On the deck of the Spanish fleet
A warrior in a red headcloth and sarong holds a rope in the rigging of a ship
A warrior of Mactan in the rigging
The film's landscape poster: Lapu-Lapu in profile, Reyna Bulakna, and the Spanish ships at sunset
The landscape poster © BisayaFlix
ON SET

BEHIND THE SCENES

Fire scenes at night, shield lines on the coral rocks, and the crew on the beach.

Four warriors in red headcloths and sarongs, with a round shield and a sword, against a blue sky
Warriors of Mactan
Warriors with shields on a coral rock above the sea
On the coral rocks
A warrior kneels by a fire at night with a blade
By the fire
Figures around a large bonfire at night
A night scene
Crew members with a tablet and a camera on the rocks
Checking the shot
A camera operator with a gimbal films warriors on the beach
Filming on the beach
The crew with a gimbal camera and actors on the sand at the shore
The crew at the shore
MACTAN

MORE THAN A MOVIE

"An opportunity for a new generation to learn more about the courage, resistance, and pride that form part of Lapu-Lapu City's identity."

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi King-Chan, in Politiko Visayas, August 2026.

NEXT

FROM FILM TO GAME

The same battle, to play: we are making LapuLapu – The Game in Unreal Engine 5, for computer and mobile. Stand in the shallows of Mactan on 27 April 1521.

PLAY THE BATTLE OF MACTAN → ABOUT THE GAME → PLAY ISDA NOW →
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