While Miguel López de Legazpi didn't single-handedly "re-conquer" Luzon in the sense of a swift military campaign, his governorship (1565-1572) marks a pivotal point in the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. His arrival and establishment of a permanent Spanish settlement in Cebu laid the groundwork for subsequent expansion and control throughout the islands. His administration initiated the process of subjugating various indigenous groups and establishing Spanish colonial rule. Therefore, his leadership is considered crucial in the eventual Spanish dominance of the region.