Blood Compact Commemorative Shrine
Located in Barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City, the Blood Compact Commemorative Shrine represents one of the important events in Philippine history – the first treaty of friendship between the brown and white races. The famous blood compact or sandugo, as what it is called in the dialect, was entered into by Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftain, and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, a Spanish explorer.
Legazpi's fleet first landed in the island of Cebu on February 13, 1565. They, however, did not stay there long because the natives were hostile. The fleet then sailed to the islands of Samar, Leyte, Limasawa and Camiguin in search of food. Bad weather reportedly brought them to take shelter in a small bay in the Bo-ol area.
The Bo-ol natives were said to be hostile to their visitors at first because of their bad experience with other foreigners who had earlier visited the area.
The Spaniards, meanwhile, were amazed to find the natives already having an established civilization. They already had their own political, social and economic system and were living in barangays ruled by datus. A datu, aside from being the leader of a barangay, is also the judge, lawmaker and the exclusive leader in times of war.
Datu Sikatuna was said to be reluctant at first to meet with the Spaniards who sent emissaries because he thought that the foreigners were Portuguese. However, after a few talks, the blood compact between the two leaders did push through with Legazpi representing the King of Spain, while Datu Sikatuna representing the natives. A sharp dagger was used in slightly cutting both the arms of Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, mixed their blood in a cup of wine and drank from the cup, making them blood brothers. The sculpture depicting the historical promise of brotherhood and friendship is made by National Artist Napoleon Abueva, a Boholano himself. This historical event happened on March 16, 1565 is commemorated every year in Bohol as the Sandugo Festival.
Getting There
If one is coming from Tagbilaran City, the place is just a short trycycle or cab ride since Barangay Bool is just a part of the city. If one is coming from other towns in the province, one can take a bus ride to Tagbilaran and then take a tricycle or cab to barangay Bool from the bus terminal. Hotel guests and those on packaged tour can also request tour guides or hotel personnel for them to be taken to the Blood Compact Shrine. Tour guides and hotel staff would surely accomodate your requests.
