Professor Emeritus Dr. Danilo M. Gerona, former Director of Partido State University’s Center for Partido Studies, laid the historical foundation for the Lapulapu statue unveiled at the Museo del Galeón, the world’s first galleon trade museum at the SM Mall of Asia Complex.
Drawing from his study on the Battle of Mactan, Dr. Gerona reconstructed the encounter between Lapulapu and Ferdinand Magellan using primary sources such as Antonio Pigafetta’s chronicles and Spanish archival records. This evidence‑based scholarship ensured that Lapulapu’s representation in the museum was not merely symbolic, but a historically grounded monument to Filipino resistance and identity.
Beyond this, Dr. Gerona’s broader research on Magellan, Enrique de Malacca, and Spanish maritime expansion situates Philippine narratives within the wider currents of global history. This ability to connect local heritage with international developments underscores why his reconstruction of Lapulapu’s role at Mactan carries such weight in transforming scholarship into a foundation for national memory.
This recognition affirms Dr. Gerona’s enduring contributions to Philippine historiography. His decades of scholarship on Bikol history, Spanish colonial Philippines, culture, and local heritage continue to preserve regional identity while strengthening national historical consciousness — a source of pride for the entire ParSU community.
The Museo del Galeón, recognized as an experiential museum dedicated to Philippine maritime heritage, officially opened last May 1, 2026.
Photo credits: Lapulapu statue: Edgar Allan M. Sembrano, Daily Tribune 
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Ferdinand Magellan: The Armada de Maluco and the European Discovery of the Philippines (2016) by Dr. Danilo M. Gerona
