One of the Tourist Attractions in the Island of Bohol, the SANDUGO, and well-known today as

the Blood Compact Site in Bohol stands as a memorial ground to the historic sign of friendship
between the Spaniards and the Filipinos.

The Blood Compact Site was built by National Artist Napoleon Isabelo Veloso Abueva, the
Philippines' National Artist for Sculpture, and also a native of Bohol. The landmark features five
life-sized images of men that are made of bronze while two important figures are having a
friendship toast. It is located along the Carlos P. Garcia circumferential road, Loay town,
Tagbilaran City where the area is much accessible to the tourists and provides a very pleasing
background and a scenic glimpse of the Bohol Sea.

According to historical accounts, on March 16, 1565, the fleet of Captain General Miguel Lopez
de Legazpi anchored along the peaceful shores of Bohol. Initially, the expedition was met with
hostility because the natives thought they were the white vandals known as the Portuguese.

With the help of a Mohammedan Malay pilot, the Explorer Captain General Miguel Lopez de
Legazpi explained to the two rulers of Bohol that they had come on a mission of peace. The
Captain General established an allegiance between than tribe of Datu Katuna (later became
SIKATUNA) and the King of Spain. Captain General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi entered into a
blood compact with Datu Sikatuna, a Chieftain of the Island of Bohol for the purpose of insuring
friendly relations between the Spaniards and the Filipinos.

Both leaders made a small cut on their left arm with a dagger and poured their blood into a
goblet filled with wine, which they both drank in honor of the friendship being established and it
was the first treaty of friendship between Spain and the Filipinas.

A few days later, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi had a similar pact with Datu Gala (later became
SIGALA).

In his report to Philip II, Legazpi described the tribal ceremony of the blood compact in the
following words:
“ It is observed in the following manner: one from each party draws two or three drops of
blood from his own arm or breast and mixes them in the same cup, with water or wine.
Then the mixture must be divided equally between two cups and neither person may depart
until both cups are alike drained.”

Today, the Blood Compact Shrine serves as a memorabilia of the historical happening during the
middle March of 1565 where a bound of friendship was established to create a fundamental
unity.
Type
Symbol Notes

The hymn is originally written in English and with its lyrics and music done by
"Bohol Hymn"
Hymn Justino R. Romeo. A ​Cebuano​ version of the hymn exists entitled "Awit sa
"​Awit sa Bohol​"
Bohol" which was translated by M. Mayelende Ganade.​[1]
Flag Provincial Flag of Bohol
Black-naped oriole
Bird Locally known as the ​Antolihaw​ or ​Dimodlaw[1]
​
Oriolus chinensis
Molave​[1]
Tree
Vitex parviflora
Bohol ​Mango
Fruit
​
Mangifera indica[1]
Ubi kinampay
Plant Featured in the ​Ubi Festival​ which is held in January annually.​[1]
Dioscorea alata
The flower represents the innocence and naturalness of the residents of
Bohol. Hospitality is represented by the flower's long bowing styles. The
White ​gumamela tender structure with pollens symbolizes the residents' simple preferences
Flower
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and modest necessities. The petals, which have a greenish hue and are
closely knitted, symbolize the loyalty and constancy of the residents of Bohol
in both good and bad times.​[1]
Also known as Francisco Sendrijas, the individual led one of the most longest
Hero Francisco Dagohoy​[1]
revolts during the ​Spanish colonization period​, the ​Dagohoy Rebellion​.
Dance Kuratsa Boholana​[1]
 In a country comprising of several thousands of islands like the Philippines where people are isolated in
small group of ethnic people thereby causing the development of so many dialects in different intonations
and accents, superstitious beliefs and practices, customs and traditions are handed down from parent to
children. Bohol is one of the island provinces to have developed a culture of its own.
The boholanos are known to be thrifty, law-abiding, hospitable, religious, humble people.
Surrounded by big body of water, they became expert sea-farers and famous traders. They have always
been portrayed in a way that sometimes they abhor. In spite of these portrayals they remain modest and
undisturbed. Boholanos are very hospitable which is sometimes overdone just to impress and satisfy for
the convenience of the visitor.
Boholanos are sometimes looked down by non-Boholanos in exaggerating the use of "j" in
speaking the local dialect in their own intonation and accent. But to them, the intonation and accent
should not be considered a defect; it is a trademark of the twang the native tongue. Every town, province
or even every country for that matter has its own intonation and accent in speaking their own language
and that the Boholanos are proud that they have their own, a symbol and identification that they are real
Boholanos. So they have nothing to fear for being despised. Instead they have to preserve it.
The month of May is a fiesta fever for Boholanos. No day passes without being celebrated
elsewhere in Bohol town or barangay. It is a tradition that has been inculcated in their minds. Wherever
they are, be it Manila, Mindanao, Cebu, or even abroad, they do not fail to go home just to attend the
fiesta celebration and for family reunion. It becomes a part of Boholano religiosity and hospitality that
every family regardless of financial status prepares a fattened pig every year for the entertainment of
relatives and friends from nearby towns and even strangers. Once, the provincial government, and even
the church tried to edict the lavish preparation of the fiesta celebration requiring only "fiesta de misa", not
"fiesta de la mesa". But church injunction failed to overrule the Boholano's flair for fiesta. Even town
ordinances attempted to arrest the tide of fiesta goers but unsuccessful. It failed to dampen the Boholanos'
love of fiesta. So, one cannot legislate against tradition.
To a Boholano, the fiesta is the highest form of expressing one's self to the community. It is
manifested in the way he and his family receive their guests. He feels honored to be able to serve his
visitors the best of what he can offer no matter what his financial status is. And when it is his turn to be
somebody's guest, he expresses also the best of himself. This form of community interaction surpasses
social barriers and thereby enhances friendship, mutual respect, cooperation and strengthens family
relation. That is why the value of this tradition has been kept in the hearts of true Boholanos for so many
generations. Bohol has been regarded by some visitors and tourists as the "fiesta capital" of the
Philippines --- the real fiesta island.

The Boholano Family

Boholanos are very family-oriented. They value solidarity and togetherness, like going to church together
during Sundays.
They open their doors to guests, give their warmest welcome gestures, prepare their finest china wares
never used on ordinary days, and serve for-guest-only food.
Children are curious about strangers with cameras, and would give their best smile when you take pictures
of them. Let them see their pictures and you'll be surprise by their display of delight. Showing your pure
enthusiasm, you'll surely win their parents' friendliness and hospitality.
And like what many travel tips and advice say, it will be good to go with the flow in places we visit.

Boholanos are generally friendly and they love con

versations, but some of them are too shy to initiate a chat with a tourist. Start a conversation from your
side and you'll see more than just smiles.
Walking down the road you may find some of them staring at you, but it's either they are curious to know
you or they are waiting for a good timing to exchange pleasantry with you. But don't be surprised to see
them smiling as a start.
In the countryside, particularly in the evening, locals young and old will greet you 'bi-i' or 'maajong gabi-i'
(good evening) as they walk past someone they know or not. Although this custom is diminishing, but
still there are some who shows such courtesy.
When you have free time and you decide to shop in the city, don't be surprised when shoppers around you
suddenly freeze around 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The people here still observe the 3 o'clock and the angelus
prayers, which are played over the store's broadcast system.