Draft:Datu Zula

Datu Zula was a ruler, or datu, on the island of Mactan in the Philippines during the early 16th century. He is best known for his involvement in the Battle of Mactan in 1521, where he and Lapulapu, the other datu of Mactan, led their forces against Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his Spanish and allied native warriors.

Despite both holding positions of power, they weren't necessarily allies, with accounts hinting at a potential rivalry between Lapulapu and Zula. This dynamic might have influenced the events leading to the Battle of Mactan. Unlike Lapulapu, Zula initially showed a willingness to cooperate with Magellan upon his arrival in the Philippines, agreeing to pay tribute to the Spanish crown and embrace Christianity, much like Rajah Humabon of Cebu. However, as tensions escalated, Zula and Lapulapu eventually united against Magellan's attempts to subdue Mactan. While Zula's exact role in the battle remains unclear, his collaboration with Lapulapu underscores their shared resistance against external forces.