Araw ng Maynila Lecture 1: “The First Resistance Against Spanish Invasion of Luzon”

Mr. Ian Christopher Alfonso, Senior History Researcher of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, presents a lecture on the 1571 Battle of Bangkusay between the Muslim inhabitants of Manila Bay and the newly arrived Spanish conquistadors. Led by the unnamed young general from Macabebe, the native army fought against the Spanish and their allies, led by the conquistador Martin de Goiti, along the mouth of the Bangkusay River, near Tondo. This is the earliest recorded resistance against Spanish hegemony since the 1521 Battle of Mactan.

Coinciding with the 450th Anniversary of the Establishment of the City of Manila under Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the 450th Anniversary of the Battle of Bangkusay was commemorated by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the City of Manila with the installation of a memorare marker at Bangkusay, Tondo, Manila. Messages from Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso and Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando, and Mr. Charlie Dungo, Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Tourism, Culture and the Arts of Manila also commemorate this historic event. The Audio-Visual Presentation was written by Mr. Ian Christopher Alfonso, edited by Mr. Bryan Paraiso of the NHCP, narrated by Ms. Lei Alcantara of the NHCP, and created by PixelHub Digital Design Studio.

Mr. John "Rancho" Arcilla, Researcher-Archivist of the Intramuros Administration, moderates the program. Josef Alec Geradila, History Researcher II of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, provided broadcast and technical support.

The Araw ng Maynila Online Lecture is a collaboration between the Department of Tourism, Culture and the Arts of Manila City Government, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and the Intramuros Administration for the 450th Araw ng Maynila Commemorations. This is an associated program of the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Education, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. This episode was originally recorded on 3 June 2021.