Portal:Bohol/Selected article/1

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The Sandugo was a blood compact performed in native-Bohol style between the traveling Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna of Bohol on March 16, 1565 in the Philippines to seal their friendship as part of the native custom. The pact was entered into by López de Legazpi for the purpose of insuring friendly relations between the Spaniards and the natives. This is considered as the first international treaty of friendship between two people of different races, a Filipino and a Spaniard. "Sandugo" is a Visayan term meaning "one blood" (san means one, and dugo means blood).

A hallmark of the Philippine province of Bohol, the Sandugo is depicted in both the provincial flag and seal as symbol of the Boholanos' love for peace.^[1] It also features in both the Tagbilaran City flag and seal; the lower portion depicts the blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Captain General Miguel López de Legazpi at Bool District, Tagbilaran City. The top of the seal indicates the ship and the place where López de Legazpi anchored and where the treaty of friendship was conducted on March 16, 1565. Furthermore, the seal signifies that the City of Tagbilaran is the City of Peace and Friendship.