THE most coveted ‘mardi gras’ of all in Bohol, the Sandugo Street Dancing and Ritual Showdown, will take center stage today starting with a parade from Plaza Rizal down to President Carlos P. Garcia sports complex.
This most-awaited street revelry courtesy of the Provincial Government of Bohol led by Governor Aris Aumentado, through the Center for Culture and Arts Development (CCAD), is back on track following a three-year interruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ten contingents will slug it out for championship and other exciting awards. The grand champion will receive P500,000 and a trophy, while the first and second runners-up will be awarded P300,000 and P150,000, respectively.
Special awards will also be up for grabs such as Best in Street Dancing with a prize of P100,000, and Best in Musicality and Best in Costume will receive an amount of P50,000 each. The non-winning entries will receive a consolation prize of P50,000 apiece.
The participating contingents are the towns of Pilar thru its dancers Tribu Pilarnon; Loay with Banay Loaynon; Talibon thru Tribu Islahanong Talibongnon; Carmen thru Tribu Carmenanon; Guindulman’s Tribu Guindulmanon; Calape’s Tribu Calapenhon; Getafe’s Tribu Ambacon; Buenavista’s Tribu Pangpanganon; Tubigon’s Tribu Anyag; and Tagbilaran’s Tribu Tagbilaranon.
The contingents are expected to assemble in front of Plaza Rizal and will parade at 3 in the afternoon to the CPG Sports Complex via CPG north avenue with few stops for judging purposes.
Each contingent is composed of 125 to over 200 members, including the main performers, props men, support and creative staff. The members of the contingent should be Boholanos, except for instrumentalists due to the limited number available in the province, pursuant to the rules and guidelines issued for the purpose.
The celebration of the Sandugo this year is not without the reenactment of the famous blood compact instigated by then Datu Sikatuna and a Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. The Bohol blood compact was reportedly then the impetus of the United Nations.
Gov. Aumentado reportedly said that the Sandugo celebration is highlighting Bohol’s rich history and vibrant culture that prompted the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) named Bohol as Global Geopark in May this year. (rvo)
