Chapter 66: The Sumuroy Revolt and Datu Iberein, the king of the Oldest     Kingdom of the Ancient Philippines: Lakanate of Lawan (Ophir)


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The Sumuroy Revolt was led by Francisco Sumuroy, a native of Samar who was a descendant of Datu Iberein. The revolt began in 1649 in response to the abuses of the Spanish friars and the heavy taxes imposed by the Spanish government. The revolt spread to other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, and it lasted for several years.

David Dulay was a native of Northern Samar who was a leader of the Sumuroy Revolt, a major uprising against Spanish rule in the Philippines in the late 17th century.David Dulay was one of the most prominent leaders of the Sumuroy Revolt. He was a skilled warrior and a charismatic leader. He was also a devout Catholic, and he believed that the Spanish were violating the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Dulay was captured and executed by the Spanish in 1650. However, the Sumuroy Revolt continued until 1651, when it was finally suppressed by the Spanish.

The Sumuroy Revolt was a major turning point in the history of the Philippines. It showed that the Filipinos were willing to fight for their freedom, even against a powerful colonial power like Spain. The revolt also led to reforms in the Spanish colonial government, and it helped to pave the way for the eventual independence of the Philippines.

The link between the Sumuroy Revolt and David Dulay is that Dulay was one of the most prominent leaders of the revolt. He was a skilled warrior and a charismatic leader, and he played a key role in the revolt's success. Dulay's execution by the Spanish was a major blow to the revolt, but it did not stop the Filipinos from fighting for their freedom. The Sumuroy Revolt is a reminder of the Filipino people's determination to fight for their independence, and it is a significant event in Philippine history.

Datu Iberein was a Samar datu who was described by historian William Henry Scott as being rowed out to a Spanish vessel anchored in his harbor in 1543 by oarsmen collared in gold; while wearing his own personal earrings and chains.

Scott recounted a Samarnon saga, which was called siday, about Bingi of Lawan, a prosperous Lakanate in Samar, and he also recorded that Datu Hadi Iberein came from the Lakanate of Lawan.

The Lakanate of Lawan was a pre-colonial kingdom in Samar that was known for its wealth and power. It was an ally of the Kingdom of Tondo, and its ruler, Datu Iberein, was a close friend of Lakan Dula, the paramount ruler of Tondo.

Datu Iberein is a relatively obscure figure in Philippine history, but he is mentioned in several historical accounts. He is a reminder of the wealth and power of the pre-colonial Philippine kingdoms, and of the close ties that existed between them.

There is not much information about Datu Iberein's life and career. However, his wealth and status suggest that he was a powerful and influential figure in the pre-colonial Philippines. He is a reminder of the rich and complex history of the Philippines, and of the many different cultures and traditions that have shaped the country.

Datu Iberein was a datu (chieftain) of the Lawan kingdom in Samar, Philippines. He is mentioned in the writings of the Spanish historian William Henry Scott as having met with the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi in 1543.

According to Scott, Iberein was a wealthy and powerful datu who was known for his hospitality. He rowed out to the Spanish ship in a golden boat and greeted Legazpi with gifts of gold and pearls. He also offered to help the Spanish in their explorations.

However, Iberein's offer was not accepted by Legazpi. The Spanish explorer was suspicious of Iberein's motives and believed that he was trying to trick them. Legazpi eventually sailed away from Samar without making any alliances with the local rulers.

The historical records on Datu Iberein are limited. However, he is considered to be an important figure in the early history of the Philippines. He is one of the few pre-colonial datus who is mentioned in the writings of Spanish explorers. His story also provides insights into the complex interactions between the Spanish and the native peoples of the Philippines.

In recent years, there has been some speculation that Datu Iberein was of Hebrew descent. This speculation is based on the fact that his name is similar to the Hebrew name "Iber". However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.

Whether or not Datu Iberein was of Hebrew descent, he is an important figure in Philippine history. He was a wealthy and powerful datu who played a role in the early interactions between the Spanish and the native peoples of the Philippines. His story is a reminder of the rich and complex history of the Philippines.

Datu Iberein was a datu (chieftain) of the Lawan kingdom in Samar, Philippines. He is mentioned in the writings of the Spanish historian William Henry Scott, who claimed that Iberein was a wealthy and powerful datu who welcomed the Spanish conquistadors in 1543. Scott also claimed that Iberein was a Hebrew, and that he was descended from the ancient kingdom of Ophir.

However, there is no other historical evidence to support Scott's claims about Iberein. The only mention of Iberein in other historical sources is in a Samarnon saga, which does not mention his ethnicity or his wealth.

It is possible that Iberein was a real person, but the details of his life are uncertain. It is also possible that he was a fictional character created by Scott.

The claim that Iberein was a Hebrew is based on the fact that he was said to have been welcomed by the Spanish conquistadors. The Spanish were eager to find evidence of the ancient kingdom of Ophir, which was mentioned in the Bible. They may have been willing to believe that Iberein was a Hebrew in order to support their own beliefs.

The claim that Iberein was a wealthy and powerful datu is also based on the writings of Scott. However, Scott's writings are not always reliable, and he has been known to make exaggerated claims. It is possible that Iberein was a wealthy and powerful datu, but there is no other evidence to support this claim.

In conclusion, there is no definitive answer to the question of who Datu Iberein was. He may have been a real person, but the details of his life are uncertain. The claims that he was a Hebrew and a wealthy and powerful datu are based on the writings of William Henry Scott, but these claims are not supported by other historical evidence.

Datu Iberein is a legendary figure in Philippine history. He is said to have been a wealthy and powerful datu (chieftain) who ruled over a large territory in Samar. He is also said to have been a descendant of the ancient Hebrew people of Ophir.

The earliest mention of Datu Iberein is in the writings of the Spanish historian William Henry Scott. Scott wrote that Datu Iberein was rowed out to a Spanish vessel anchored in his harbor in 1543 by oarsmen collared in gold; while wearing his own personal earrings and chains. Scott recounted a Samarnon saga, which was called siday, about Bingi of Lawan, a prosperous Lakanate in Samar, and he also recorded that Datu Hadi Iberein came from the Lakanate of Lawan.

However, there is no other historical evidence to support the existence of Datu Iberein. The siday that Scott mentions is a folktale, and it is not clear how much of it is based on historical fact. Some historians believe that Datu Iberein may have been a real person, but that his story has been exaggerated over time. Others believe that he is a purely fictional character. The legend of Datu Iberein is a reminder of the rich and complex history of the Philippines. It is a story of wealth, power, and mystery, and it continues to fascinate people today.


Note from the House of Dula: Since Sumuroy is a descendant of Datu Iberein and Dulay is descendant of Lakan Dula, we can see a recurring pattern of native aristocracy resisting the Spanish rule even in the earlier years of the Spanish rule.