Sandugo Festival, Philippines
The Sandugo Festival, otherwise known as the Blood Compact Commemoration is Bohol’s famous festivity. The “dugo” is a Visayan dialect put into a cup and then drinking the contents thereof. Henceforth the Boholanos celebrated this special event although not as consistently as being done now. It takes place every year which commemorates the celebration of a local Philippine leader Datu Sikatuna’s blood compact symbolizes the treaty of friendship between him and the Spanish king conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, a two people of different race and creed.
This native festivity usually begins in the month of March while the schedule of streetdancing competitions have been changed to July to coincide with the annual TBTK or Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan, translated into English, literally or otherwise as a gathering of Boholanos in the whole world.
Bohol’s capital the Tagbilaran City, celebrates its Charter Day on July 1 while the province of Bohol became a separate politico-military province on July 22, 1854, known as the “Bohol Day”, in commemoration of Bohol’s separation from Cebu’s governance. During the incumbency of Mr. Constancio Chatto Torralba as Provincial Governor of Bohol, from April 1975 to June 1992, the festival was given much attention and ever since gained impetus. Convinced of the importance of this historical event, Governor Torralba anointed the Sandugo Project and appointed Mr. Loy M. Palapos as Chairman.
Thousands of people in Philippines and foreigners gather for this special event which involves colorful costumes and loud drum beats, street parades, church services, fireworks, beauty pageants (Miss Bohol and Miss Tagbilaran), cockfighting tournaments and sport tournaments. The main highlights of the Sandugo Festival is a street parade with a street dancing competition, a re-enactment of the first sandugo or blood compact, and the Search for Miss Bohol Sandugo.
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