A Datu is someone who is considered as a leader of a tribe or a barangay in pre-Hispanic period in the Philippines. He is considered as a prince or a chief of that particular place. Some datus chose to be called Sultan or Rajah as influenced by their trading activities with people from other parts of Asia.

Datu Sumakwel led the Bornean datus after Datu Puti went back to Borneo. He was with six other datus who have decided to live in Panay. They conquered the islands before the Spanish conquerors came to the Philippines. He lived in Southern Iloilo. He chose to settle in Sinaragan. There, he married a woman named Capinangan.

There are times when the Datu leaves his land to look for Bulalakaw, a local deity. Datu Sumakwel usually spends his mornings going with his slaves as they fish using fish nets. One day, the slaves got lucky and caught a lot of fish. He told them to spread everything that they caught to dry and keep an eye on these so that none of it will be eaten by the crow. One of the slaves answered that if the datu himself was not able to protect his properties inside his house, he should not expect that what is outside his house will be stolen by the crow much easily. The datu read between the lines and realized that the slave was referring to something else. When he asked the slave to say what he wants to tell him, the slave told him about the Capinangan’s affair with Gorong-gorong, the man whom the Datu leaves his things with whenever he leaves his land.

He went back to their house, passing through a secret way and stayed at the attic. He witnessed his wife and Gorong-gorong’s affectionate exchange of words while they were in an intimate conversation. The datu spilled water from the bamboo tube that he was carrying. He was surprised and he reacted by dropped a spear which hit Gorong-gorong fatally. Capinangan expressed her worry as to what she will do while Datu Sumakwel stayed quiet and watched her actions closely.

Capinangan attempted to carry Gorong-gorong’s body but it was too heavy for her. Calling another person for help is out of the question for her fear that her husband will find out about her affair. What she did was get a knife and chopped her lover’s body into small parts. Then, she buried the pieces beneath their house. She washed the blood away and was quiet for some time.

Datu Sumakwel decided to show himself. He crept silently and called to his wife. Capinangan tried to smile but her fear still showed. Datu Sumakwel asked her to cut a fish and then cook it for him. She refused saying that she does not know how to cut fish. He expressed his surprise as he knows that it is her expertise. She realized right there and then that he knew. She did as she was told.

Datu Sumakwel told her that he saw everything. She remained quiet. As punishment, she was thrown to the sea. But, Datu Sumakwel got depressed and set out to look for her. In the end, he found her and they lived in happiness for the rest of their lives.