Western Visayas: ten datus, two rivers

Legend says ten datus bought Panay for a golden hat. They fled a cruel sultan in Borneo, the story goes, and sailed north in the thirteenth century. The Ati king Marikudo traded the lowlands for a golden saduk and a long gold necklace.

In Aklan they say settlers later smeared on soot to play the Ati. That became the Ati-atihan. But where did the datus land? Iloilo and Aklan say near San Joaquin, and spell the river three ways.

Sirawag. Siwaragan. Sirwakan. Antique says the Malandog River, where a marker reads: first Malayan settlers, twelve hundred A.D. And the book behind it, the Maragtas? Miag-ao's first municipal president finished it in 1904.

One legend. Three provinces. Two rivers. Taga-Panay ka? Where do your elders say the datus landed? Tell us in the comments.