Datu Daya

Who is Datu Daya?

Datu Daya was a legendary tribal chief in Kandaya, the place that is now known as Daanbantayan, Cebu, in the Philippines.

According to folk stories, Datu Daya was the leader of the first Malayan settlers in northern Cebu. The new settlers cleared forests and in a few years were able to establish a progressive community. Moros continually attacked the community and kidnapped women and children until a bantayan was constructed to defend the town. For his leadership of the community, Datu Daya was idolized.