The Lapu-Lapu Awards was instituted as a means to recognize and honor Filipinos of Visayan ancestry who have distinguished themselves in their fields of endeavor or who have contributed to the growth and success of Visayan organizations in Hawaii . It was hoped that by recognizing their achievements, the awardees, just like Lapu-Lapu, will serve as role models for, and a source of inspiration to, our younger generation.

The Awards are named after Datu Lapu-Lapu, the chieftain of Mactan Island , off Cebu , who refused to give homage to the Spanish Crown and was credited with defeating and killing the Spanish colonizer Ferdinand Magellan and his men in the celebrated Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521 . This event delayed the Spanish colonization of the Philippines by almost 40 years.

Stories say that Lapu-Lapu was the son of Kusganon and Inday Puti. He had an older brother named Mingming. The island of Mactan was named after his grandmother, Matang Mantanaos, who was known as a powerful queen during her time. Lapu-Lapu was a highly respected Bagani, or warrior, known for his courage and skill in hand-to-hand combat. He was married to Princess Bulakna with whom he had a son named Sawili who also grew up to become a great warrior like his father. At the time of Magellan's arrival, Lapu-Lapu was in his prime in terms of age and physical prowess, and was also the head chieftain of an alliance or confederation of seven tribes on the island of Mactan .

The Battle of Mactan was a classic encounter between Spanish guns, cutlasses and armor on one hand, and native bamboo spears, fire-hardened wooden clubs, bows and arrows, and bolos on the other. The result was a rout of the Spanish soldiers. It is said that Lapu-Lapu refused to return the bodies of Magellan and his men to the Spaniards despite repeated offerings of rewards. For his feat in conquering Magellan, Lapu-Lapu was hailed as the first Filipino to repel foreign aggression, the first defender of Filipino freedom, and, most of all, the first Filipino hero.

The biennial Awards are given under three categories: the Outstanding Member Awards, given to members of COVO's unit organizations who have provided outstanding contributions to their respective organizations; the Individual Achievement Awards, awarded to any Filipino of Visayan ancestry who have distinguished themselves in a particular area of endeavor; and the Lifetime Achievement or Service Awards, bestowed on any Filipino of Visayan ancestry who have given outstanding lifelong contributions and service to the community. Starting in 2006, a fourth category, the Young Achievers Award, will be given to young adults who show promise in their chosen fields.

The awards are in the form of a Lapu-Lapu statuette that is imported from Mactan , Philippines , and an accompanying plaque of distinction.

The first Lapu-Lapu Awards were given in 2002. The awardees were:

Outstanding Member Awards:

Individual Achievement Awards:

Lifetime Achievement Awards:

The second Lapu-Lapu Awards were given in 2004. The awardees were:

Outstanding Member Awards:

Individual Achievement Awards:

Lifetime Service Awards:

The third Lapu-Lapu Awards will be held on August 5, 2006 and will be part of the 2006 Filipino Centennial Celebrations.

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