THE BLOOD COMPACT HISTORY OF BLOOD COMPACT The Sandugo was a blood compact, performed in Bohol between the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, the chieftain of Bohol, on March 16, 1565, to seal their friendship as part of the tribal tradition. This is considered as the first treaty of friendship between the Spaniards and Filipinos. "Sandugo" is a Visayan word which means "one blood" This historic ritual was done on March 16, 1565, by Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Bohol Chieftain Datu Sikatuna. The Boholanos were actually hesitant in accommodating the Spaniards at first because of the bad treatment they got from the Portuguese fleet who made 1,000 of their people slaves. With the help of a Malayan sailor, Miguel López de Legazpi was able to help the natives understand that they came to offer friendship and trade agreement. The Blood Compact is one of the most important historical events in the annals of Philippine History, not only of Tagbilaran City and the whole Bohol province. The event was even immortalized in canvass by the famous Filipino painter Juan Luna and his work was considered as one of his masterpieces. Tagbilaran city is known for peace and friendship between the foreigners and the natives of Bohol. The blood compact is considered as the First Treaty of Friendship between two different races, religions, cultures and civilizations. It was a treaty of friendship based on respect and equality. The blood compact is an act of trust, confidence, and friendly relations. This is the traditional equivalent of what we know now as “diplomatic relations” and is done by drawing a small cut in the arm of two opposing entities with the blood placed in cups with wine. The Blood Compact sculpture was made by the National Artist, Napoleon Abueva, a Boholano himself. It is placed on an open and raised dais portraying five (5) life-sized images of men gathered around a table with Legazpi and Sikatuna supposedly making a toast. BEST TIME TO VISIT Since the monument is positioned outdoors, it is best to visit it between December and March when the weather is generally cooler. LOCATION OF BLOOD COMPACT This historical moment is immortalized in bronze sculpture by Boholano National Artist, the late Napoleon V. Abueva. Now, the monument is prominently known to tourists and locals as the Sandugo or Blood Compact Shrine, located at Tagbilaran East Rd., Bool District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. THE SANDUGO FESTIVAL The Sandugo Festival is a historical event that takes place yearly in the island of Bohol. Otherwise known as the Bohol Sandugo Celebration. Sandugo is an annual event held in March in Bohol Island. The festival is held to honor the life of a local and revered Filipino leader, Datu Sikatuna. The main highlights of the Sandugo Festival are the street parade followed by a street dancing competition and then the re-enactment of the Blood Compact. The street parade and subsequent competition is participated in by different high schools in Tagbilaran, including entries from Local Government Units (LGUs) or municipalities as well as guests from other cities and provinces. Now, this month-long celebration includes Trade-Agri Food Fair, nightly entertainment, and search for Miss Bohol Sandugo, Sandugo Punchfest, and the street parade with a street dancing competition and the re-enactment of the Blood Compact. At first, this annual celebration was held in the month of March but has been moved to July to coincide with the celebration of the Tagbilaran Charter Day on July 1 and the Bohol Day that falls on July 22. It was also deemed proper to be celebrated in the month of July to coincide with the TBTK (Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan). The TBTK is a gathering of Boholanos from all over the world in Tagbilaran City which was earlier agreed upon to fall on this month. The concept is to hit three birds with one stone in one big month-long celebration. The month-long festivities happening every month of July started in 1989. With the whole province participating in, this festival is now not only for historical purposes but for the enhancement of the living standards of each and every Boholano. While the 1565 Blood Compact happened in the month of March, the Sandugo Festival was established in July since March is customarily the time for commencement exercises and the season of Lent also usually falls in the same month limiting the participation of the academe and the church in the celebration. July was the most auspicious, being the month during which the Tagbilaran City Charter Day is observed on July 1 and the Bohol Day, on July 22; the two dates having been declared as local holidays. July was also seen as a month when balikbayans can attend homecomings. True enough, besides being the Sandugo month, July has become a time when most school and family reunions are being held. Several activities are held throughout the month-long festival, including beauty pageants, song festivals, street parties and cultural and variety shows. Of course, the highlight of the Sandugo Festival was the street dancing. The festival serves a window to see the best of Philippines’ art, hospitality, cuisine, culture, and sports. Sandugo Festival is celebrated to pay tribute to the blood compact made in March 1565 between two chiefs– Bohol’s chieftain, Datu Sikatuna, and Spanish navigator, Captain General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, whose diplomacy was said to please the native ruler greatly. Despite animosity from other neighboring villages in the Philippines, Legazpi was able to gain Sikatuna’s trust, sealed through their blood compact. Sandugo Festival’s activities this year includes the sports events, Flower and Garden show, Song festival, the most-awaited Ms. Bohol Pageant Night, and the Kuradang Street Dancing, which was said to be the highlight of Bohol’s Sandugo Festival due to the reenactment of the Sandugo event between the chiefs. LOCATION OF SANDUGO FESTIVAL Tagbilaran City on the island of Bohol in the Philippines.
