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The famous Bohol Sandugo Celebration or also known as Sandugo Festival (Blood Compact Commemoration) is an annual historical event which takes place in Bohol, Philippines.

The festival commemorates the treaty friendship of two people with different races, culture, religion and civilization between Datu Sikatuna who is a native chieftain and the Spanish conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi who represented the king of Spain. It was on March 16, 1565 when the treaty of friendship occurred through having a blood compact. This is said to be the first international treaty of friendship between the Filipinos and Spanish. Sandugo is what they called as their treaty and it means one blood. Philippine President Elpidio Quirino was the one who established the Order of Sikatuna.

Many people from around the country and the world gather for this festival which is famous to have colorful costumes and loud drum beats, street parades, fireworks, church services, beauty pageants, cockfighting tournaments and also sport tournaments. The highlight of the festival is the street parade with a street dancing competition which is a re-enactment of the first sandugo.

sandugo, philippines, festival