Manila: A Central Philippines mayor has launched a drive against a disposable diaper advert, which he claims, promotes a distorted version of history as well as mocks an important episode in the country’s past.

Mayor Paz Radaza of Lapu-Lapu City said a 30-second advert of EQ Diapers should not be aired on television because it promotes a distorted view of the Battle of Mactan and the country’s history. He called on local stations to pull out the commercial.

History books said the Battle of Mactan took place April 27, 1521. It marks the first incident in the history of the Islands where native Filipinos fought against foreign colonial domination, particularly against the Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan or Fernando Magallanes and his group explorers who arrived in Central Philippines to claim the islands for King Philip of Spain and in the name of Christianity.

Aside from Lapu-Lapu, another Datu who ruled Mactan was “Zula.”

Zula acceded to Magallanes while Lapu-Lapu rejected foreign domination.

Because of Lapu-Lapu’s opposition to the Spanish crown, he was immortalised and revered by Filipino as a symbol of courage and rejection of foreign colonial domination.

Razada said the EQ advert is not being fair to Lapu-Lapu and his contribution to Filipino nationhood. She said that in the name of commercialism, the commercial light-heartedly pokes fun at the expense of an important turning point in the country’s history.

In the commercial, it was implied that Lapu-Lapu, the Datu of Mactan, fought Magellan because the Portuguese gave him substandard diapers as a gift.

Reports reaching Manila said Razada regarded the advert as an insult to the people of Oponanon in Cebu.

“The owner of the product must do two things- make a public apology and immediately or recall the adverts,” reports quoted her as saying in a press briefing.

Radaza said that she would be sending a note to the National Historical Commission (NHC) concerning this issue.

Lapu-Lapu.

As a result of the fracas over the EQ Diaper advert, a Facebook signature drive calling for a stop to the airing of the commercial was started by tour guide Balbino Guerrero.

Guerrero’s petition, hosted by the website change.org, has gathered 174 signatures as of Friday afternoon.

Aside from Lapu-Lapu, EQ’s advert campaign has spoofed other well known historic figures that include Cleopatra and King Solomon.