Iloilo City. That's where I grew up. It's about an hour plane ride from Metro Manila. The triangularly-shaped island is home to the 10 Datus* of Borneo. As the Legend goes, the 10 Datus fled the wrath of the Raja** and ended up in the Island of Panay, where they said to have sailed on a balangay***brought the plains from the Aeta Chieftain Marikudo and his escort Maniwantiwan for the price of a Golden Salakot**** and a lovely pearl necklace called manangyad, the length of which, touches the ground.
*Datu -borrowed word from Sanskit, Ruler
**Raja - borrowed word from Sanskit, tribal chieftain of lesser hierarchy to the Datu
***balangay - a ship commonly found in SE Asia, built to resist the monsoon winds
****Salakot - is a traditional wide-brimmed hat in the Philippines. It is usually made of either rattan or reeds.
Note: Definition for "salakot" from wikipedia
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