Sunday 22 January 2017

Sandugo Blood Compact




On March 16, 1565, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi of Spain and Rajah Sikatuna of Bohol performed the Blood Compact (Spanish: Pacto de Sangre Filipino: Sandugo). Initially, Legazpi’s expedition was met with hostility because the natives thought they were Portuguese. Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the natives had a sad experience with Portuguese raiders who lambasted their island.

Today, the Blood Compact Site stands as a memorial to that historic sign of friendship between the Spaniards and the natives. Built by National Artist Napoleon Abueva, a Boholano resident, the site features five life-sized images of men making a toast located on an open and elevated dais. It provides tourists a glimpse of the Bohol Sea, believed to be the spot where Legazpi’s expedition anchored, as well as a view of the whole landscape.


Located in the town of Bool, this tourist destination is very much accessible as it is located along the C.P. Garcia circumferential road where many modes of transportations are available. Guests from nearby hotels or tourists can ask to be dropped at the site although most hotels have included it in their itinerary.


Originally held in March, the local government of Bohol decided to move it to July to allow Boholanos working abroad to come back and celebrate the event. 


The local government of Bohol island implemented a program called “Tigum Bol-anon Tibouk Kalibutan” (TBTK) whose literal trasnslation means “gather Boholanos from all over the world”.  The program provides huge discounts on airline fares, hotel accommodations,to name just a few. The celebration is culminated by a re-enactment of the Blood Compact.

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