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Sandugo Festival: A Celebration of History, Friendship, and Culture in Bohol

July 01, 2024 - July 31, 2024

The Sandugo festival is an annual historical celebration that takes place every year in Tagbilaran City on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. This festival commemorates the Treaty of Friendship between Datu Sikatuna, a chieftain in Bohol, and Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi. This 16th-century peace treaty occurred on March 16, 1565 through a blood compact or “sandugo”.

The Sandugo festival is held every July. The Tagbilaran City Charter Day on July 1 kicks-off the month-long festival with a holy mass, motorcade and program sponsored by the City Government of Tagbilaran. Among the major activities during the month is the Miss Bohol Sandugo Beauty Pageant, and the Sandugo Street Dancing Competition which is usually held on the 3rd or 4th Sunday of July, and organized by the Bohol Sandugo Foundation, Inc. (BSFI).

The Sandugo Street Dancing Competition is participated in by schools, the city and municipal governments, boholano organizations abroad, and even contingents from other provinces. The competition starts at noon at the City Pier, passes through the city’s major streets, and culminates at the Pres. Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex where a Sandugo Re-enactment is held. The final judging of the competition will be held at the Complex where the participants will again perform for the audience. The winners receive thousands of pesos in prizes.

Aside from the activities organized by the city and provincial governments and by the BSFI, are other activities sponsored by various private sectors like nightly shows and trade/food fair at the City Pier, product showcase, concerts, medical and surgical missions, and others.

The name of the festival comes from the word “sandugo”, which means “one blood” or “blood brotherhood” in Cebuano. The festival celebrates the unity and friendship of the Boholanos and the Spaniards, as well as the rich culture and heritage of Bohol.

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Details

Start:
July 1, 2024
End:
July 31, 2024
Event Category:

Venue

Tagbilaran City
Tagbilaran City, Bohol Philippines + Google Map