Datu Daya

Datu Daya was a legendary lord of Kandaya ("Daya's (kingdom)"), the place that is now known as Daanbantayan, Cebu, in the Philippines.^[1]

According to oral tradition, Datu Daya was the ruler of the first settlers in northern Cebu. The new settlers cleared forests and in a few years were able to establish a progressive community. Muslim raiders continually attacked the community and kidnapped women and children until a bantayan (watchtower) was constructed to defend the town. For his glory, Datu Daya was idolized.