The Philippines has numerous festivals and festivities. Bohol, like the other provinces and regions in the country, has a festival that has historical importance, known as Sandugo Festival. This is an annual celebration during the month of July to honor an important historical event which is the Blood Compact (sandugo) between Captain General Migue Lopez de Legazpi, the Spanish King Conquistador, and Datu Sikatuna in March 16,1565. Said blood compact symbolized the treaty of friendship between the colonized and the colonizers.
History of Blood Compact
A look at the history books will bring you to the pages when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi set foot in the Tagbilaran, Bohol shorelines in 1565. At that time, Datu Sikatuna, a prominent Philippine native leader swore commitment to the Spanish crown. And to symbolize the act, a blood compact between the two leaders was undertaken. The two leaders were believed to have sprinkled their blood into a cup filled with wine after cutting their left arms with a dagger. The blood mixed in wine was drunk by the two leaders as a symbol of their friendship and brotherhood. The treaty was signed on the south west coast of Bohol in March, 1565.
The act was referred to as blood compact because it involved drinking of a small amount of the other’s blood or “dugo” in the Visayan language. It was more of a traditional way to formalize the friendship treaty in the Philippines. And even Magellan participated in some blood compact ceremonies before attacking Mactan Island.
Sandugo – First International Treaty
This particular act is a way of preserving the friendship ties between two parties of different religion, culture, civilization, culture and nationality. Datu Sikatuna swore by his ancestral Bathala and Anito, and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi sought New World with the cross and sword. They both agreed to the blood compact for a common cause – friendship. Sandugo or Blood Compact between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was the first international friendship treaty between the Filipinos and the Spaniards.
The annual festival highlights formal and cultural dances, street performances and an agro-industry fair. The culminating event is the re-enactment of the Sandugo between the two brave leaders. This month-long celebration features street dancing competition with contestants showing off their unique dancing talents and creative and artful movements.
