Paduka Pahala

Paduka Pahala (died 1417) was East King of Sulu, best known as the first king from what is now the Philippines to be buried in China. He ruled one of the three Kingdoms of Sulu.

Voyage to China
In 1417, Paduka Pahala, sailed with his family and 300 other people to pay tribute to the Yongle Chinese emperor, Zhu Di, of the Ming Dynasty. He was welcomed by the emperor upon his arrival in China, but contracted a mysterious disease on his way home and died at Dezhou, Shandong province. The emperor commissioned artisans and sculptors to build a tomb for the deceased monarch, which still stands today.

His descendants remained in China, converted to Islam while in Shandong, and were subsequently classified as members of the Hui nationality of the area.

The Filipino-Chinese film Hari sa Hari, Lahi sa Lahi recounts Paduka Pahala's voyage to China.