CEBU CITY – The provincial government of Bohol has officially launched this year’s Sandugo Festival.
A MINI-cultural show highlights the launching of Sandugo 2023 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Monday, May 8. (Contributed photo)
Gov. Aris Aumentado promised a grand Sandugo celebration in July with a theme “Celebrating Bohol and Beyond.”
"In our celebration of Sandugo this year, we will not only commemorate the blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi but we will also promote Boholano culture and our heritage,” said Aumentado during the festival’s launching on Monday, May 8, in Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran City.
Aumentado added that this year's Sandugo will be staged differently.
“Sandugo will have a more inclusive approach for Boholanos as various activities are to be held in different parts of the province,” the governor said.
Aumentado said this year’s celebration will incorporate the Bohol Global Geopark advocacy to educate Boholanos on geo-heritage and environmental awareness.
He added that the upcoming Sandugo will have various events such as “tabo” (fairs and expos), “bibo” (festivals and pageantry), “tigi” (sports and games), “tapok” (reunions), “sinati” (tours of family, faith, food, fun, and fitness), and “atiman” (outreach and humanitarian missions).
This year’s Sandugo will also mark the 458th year of the historic Sandugo between Datu Sikatuna and Spanish Conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi, where they allied against the Ternate, a Portuguese-backed state in the Moluccas (Spice Islands).