Order of Sikatuna

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The Order of Sikatuna is the national order of diplomatic merit of the Republic of the Philippines. It is conferred upon individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious services to the Republic of the Philippines, upon diplomats, officials and nationals of foreign states who have rendered conspicuous services in fostering, developing and strengthening relations between their country and the Philippines, or upon personnel of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), both in the Home Office and in the Foreign Service.

The Order of Sikatuna may be awarded by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the name and by authority of the President.

Contents

[edit] History

In the Quirino order, the Order of Sikatuna commemorates the pacto de sangre or blood compact, more popularly known as sandugo. This was, according to the Executive Order, the first international treaty of friendship between Bohol native chieftain, Datu Sikatuna and Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi, between a Filipino and Spaniard. [1] Lately, however, the Executive Order's premise has been put to question. The event was not the first blood compact since this happened 44 years before between Ferdinand Magellan, representing the Spanish crown, and raia Siaiu, king of the island-port of Mazaua. Magellan called the ceremony "casi casi", a Malayan term meaning "to be one and the same thing" or to be blood brothers. At the same time the first recorded Treaty of Friendship was entered into on Tuesday, April 9, 1521 by datu Humabon of Cebu and Magellan.

The Order of Sikatuna was established by President Elpidio Quirino as the "Ancient Order of Sikatuna" through Executive Order No. 571 dated February 27, 1953.[2] Its original four-class composition was expanded by Presidents Diosdado Macapagal and Ferdinand E. Marcos. In 2003, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reformed the Philippine system of orders, medals, and decorations, through Executive Order No. 236, known as the Honors Code of the Philippines which codified the civilian orders, decorations and medals of the Republic of the Philippines. [3] Among its provisions was one renaming the order as simply, "The Order of Sikatuna," and clarifying its protocular standing.

[edit] Ranks

  • Grand Collar (Raja) – Conferred upon a former or incumbent head of State and/or of government
  • Grand Cross (Datu) – The Grand Cross shall have two (2) distinctions: (i) Gold (Katangiang Ginto) and (ii) Silver (Katangiang Pilak). The Grand Cross may be conferred upon a Crown Prince, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice or the equivalent, foreign minister or other official of cabinet rank, Ambassador, Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing
  • Grand Officer (Maringal na Lakan) – Conferred upon a Chargé d'affaires, e.p., Minister, Minister Counselor, Consul General heading a consular post, Executive Director, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing
  • Commander (Lakan) – Conferred upon a Chargé d'affaires a.i., Counselor, First Secretary, Consul General in the consular section of an Embassy, Consular officer with a personal rank higher than Second Secretary, Director, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing
  • Officer (Maginoo) – Conferred upon a Second Secretary, Consul, Assistant Director, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing
  • Member (Maharlika) – Conferred upon a Third Secretary, Vice Consul, Attaché, Principal Assistant, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing

[edit] Awardees

This article incorporates public domain text from the library of the Philippine Congress.

[edit] References

  1. ^ History of Bohol www.bohol.gov.ph Retrieved 22 December, 2006.
  2. ^ The Philippines: The Ancient Order of Sikatuna www.medals.org.uk Retrieved 22 December, 2006.
  3. ^ Manuel L. Quezon III. Medals Girondists off-duty rants Retrieved 22 December, 2006.
  4. ^ PJEE's Speech at the Conferment of the Order of Sikatuna on His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin www.opnet.ops.gov.ph Retrieved 22 December, 2006.
  5. ^ [http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/july/03/yehey/top_stories/20060703top2.html Pacquiao proves too classy, but Mexican foe displays grit] The Manila Times Retrieved 22 December, 2006.
  6. ^ Manuel L. Quezon III.Ricciardone moves on The Daily Dose Retrieved December 22, 2006.
  7. ^ President Arroyo Confers Order of Sikatuna award on Ambassador Ricciardone Embassy of the United States in Manila. Retrieved 22 December, 2006
  8. ^ Philippines Confers Order of Sikatuna on Former Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Gov.ph News Retrieved 22 December, 2006.
  9. ^ PGMA confers order of Sikatuna on outgoing Czech Republic envoy Gov.ph News Retrieved 22 December, 2006.
  10. ^ PGAM confers Order of Sikatuna to outgoing Portuguese Ambassador Gov.ph News Retrieved 22 December, 2006.
  11. ^ PGMA confers Order of Sikatuna to outgoing Malaysia Ambassador Gov.ph News Retrieved 22 December, 2006.
  12. ^ PGMA confers Sikatuna award to Chinese convoy Gov.ph News Retrieved 22 December, 2006
  13. ^ PGMA confers Sikatuna Medal on EC official Positive News Media:Philippines Retrieved 23 December, 2006.
  14. ^ PGMA confers Order of Sikatuna on DFA official Positive News Media: Philippines Retrieved 23 December, 2006.
  15. ^ ADB President Chino Conferred the Philippines' Highest Honor Asian Development Bank Media Center. Retrieved 23 December, 2006.
  16. ^ Their Majesties Virtual Malaysia's Tribute to the 48th National Day Celebration Retrieved 23 December, 2006.

[edit] Additional resources

[edit] See also

Bohol Portal

[edit] External links