MAY 8, 2023, marked the start of 2023’s Sandugo Sa Bohol season, with a ceremonial launching at the Plaza Rizal: a celebration of local culture and empowering the Boholano identity.
With the theme “Celebrating Bohol and Beyond,” the Provincial Government of Bohol said this year’s Sandugo sa Bohol will be a more inclusive celebration for Boholanos as various activities are to be staged in different parts of the Province, said Governor Aris Aumentado.
During his keynote message, Aumentado underscored the importance of centering local culture as the essence of commemorating the Sandugo, with the goal of culturally enriching Boholanos and instilling in them a sense of pride in their heritage.
“The Sandugo should be about us – our story and our journey. We are committed to holding the Sandugo as more than a festival, but a celebration of our Boholano way of life, a coming together that nurtures Boholano connections and pride of place here and beyond,” Aumentado said.
In the launch, six activity streams were presented by Aumentado as what Boholanos can expect to happen in July. These are Tabo (fairs and expos), Bibo (festivals and pageantry), Tigi (sports and games), Tapok (reunions and get-togethers), Sinati (family, faith, food, fun, and fitness tours), and Atiman (outreach and humanitarian missions). This year’s Sandugo will also highlight the Bohol Island Geopark Advocacy that promotes Bohol’s geological, ecological, archaeological, tangible, and intangible heritage.
Throughout the ceremony, attendees witnessed different performances, showcasing Boholano cultural dances and songs, performed by Diwanag Dance Troupe, Tribu Napoanaon, Skulboys, MDC- Tubigon Song Birds of Mater Dei College-Tubigon, and from Koro Seraphim.
Bohol’s three district congressmen also gave their solidarity messages delivered by their representatives (Atty. Abelion Damalerio representing 1st District Congressman Edgar Chatto and Edgar del Rosario representing 2nd District Congresswoman Vanessa Aumentado), together with Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap, Vice Governor Dionisio Balite, Bohol Integrated Development Foundation Inc. President Rev. Fr. Victor Bompat, and National Museum-Bohol OIC Tata Rachelle Lacea.
A ceremonial Sandugo (the Friendship Pact) took place between Governor Aumentado and LGU Tagbilaran’s Chief-of-Staff John Geesnell “Baba” Yap to symbolize the partnership of PGBh and the Tagbilaran City Government in organizing the Sandugo sa Bohol.
Attendees also witnessed the unveiling of the new Sandugo beat, composed by Boholano artists Odoni Pestelos and Joseph Gara. The Sandugo is observed annually in the Province every July to commemorate the alliance between Datu Sikatuna and Spanish Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, where Sikatuna (Katunao in Spanish records) boarded Legaspi’s ship to ally with him in fighting the Ternate of the Moluccas and Portugal from invading the Province.
This alliance was done through a customary practice called “Sandugo,” by local chiefs, where they validate a treaty or an agreement through a blood compact. Sikatuna saw this alliance as an opportunity to protect Bohol from invaders, while Legaspi saw this as an opportunity to access the island’s natural resources, especially in getting the materials needed to fix their galleon ships.
This year’s celebration commemorates the 458th year since the historic Sandugo-an in Bohol, which paved the way for Spain to gain control of the Country and colonize it for 333 years; introducing Catholicism to Filipinos and launched the Philippines as a global trading hub through the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. (PIMO/GMC)
