MANILA, Philippines — The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has to carefully review the Spanish-made animated film “Elcano and Magellan: The First Voyage Around the World” to decide whether it needs to be banned or whether other parts have been omitted if it has really tarnished the reputation of the legendary Filipino hero Lapu-Lapu urged Friday (08 November 2019) Agusan del Norte 1st District Rep. Lawrence Fortun.

In January 2020, the film is set for theatrical release.

“There are apprehensions that our cherished hero Lapu-Lapu might be depicted as a villain in this movie, and we, as Filipinos, cannot allow such a lie to be propagated right on our very own soil,” the district lawmaker said in a statement.

Lapu-Lapu, widely considered to be the first Filipino hero, defied Spanish rule in the Philippines for the first time. He is considered to defeat the Portuguese conquistador Ferdinand Magellan and his troops who sought to colonize the island of Mactan.

He emphasized: “While we acknowledge the importance of the circumnavigation of the world to human history, may it is retelling not devalue the admirable courage shown by early Filipinos in fighting for freedom and independence.”

On Thursday, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said it was up to the MTRCB to decide to ban the animated film.  (Marian Andrei Sinamban/IAMIGO/CNS)