Datu Daya

Datu Daya is a legendary ruler in Cebuano memory. Tradition says he led the first settlers of northern Cebu, in the area now called Daanbantayan. Before that, the district was known as Kandaya, a name that means Daya's land. The story says the settlers cleared forest and built a community. Raiders from the south attacked it, so the people built a watchtower, called a bantayan. The town's later name, Daanbantayan, is often linked to that tower.

No dates for Daya are given, and no written source from his time is known. The only cited source is a news article about a local festival. Wikipedia marks him among the legend-based or disputed rulers. No dated record or dig confirms the watchtower story.

What is real is the memory. Daanbantayan holds the Haladaya festival each year, with chants and dances that honor Daya. This is a tribute by local people to a founder they remember, whether or not he lived.