Datu Paiburong Statue

The Datu Paiburong Statue is a striking 15-foot warrior monument situated along the scenic Iloilo River Esplanade in the Mandurriao district of Iloilo City. Unveiled on January 21, 2016, the sculpture was crafted from cement with a bronze finish by renowned local artist and architect Boy Masculino and donated by JCI Iloilo Ilang-Ilang during the Dinagyang Festival. The monument honors Datu Paiburong, one of the ten legendary Bornean datus who settled Panay Island after purchasing the lowlands from the Ati king, Marikudo, in the historic "Barter of Panay." According to the Legend of Maragtas, Datu Paiburong was granted leadership over the territory of Irong-Irong, which laid the cultural foundations for modern-day Iloilo. Today, the statue stands as a prominent cultural landmark on the riverwalk, celebrating the region's pre-colonial heritage and offering an open-air historical attraction accessible to the public 24 hours a day.