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The Sandugo Festival 2008

The Sandugo Festival 2008 is far and gone, ending with the Street Dancing Presentation last July 27, 2008. This was a month-long affair, commencing with Tagbilaran City’s commemoration of its Charter Day on July 1. The provincial government of Bohol, together with the city officials, lined up activities that were geared towards the enhancement of local talents and agro-industrial products with the ever present search for the Miss Bohol Sandugo of 2008 and the street dancing highlighting the festivities.

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The festival can never be called “Sandugo” without the re-enactment of the first “blood compact” done between Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Bohol’s pride, Datu Sikatuna, in a gesture of friendship. However, Sandugo 2008 did not focus much on the commemoration but on the search for the Ms. Bohol Sandugo 2008, the street dancing and the agro-industrial fair, and other activities.

The Sandugo Trade, Agri and Food Fairs had its wares displayed in front of the Tagbilaran City Hall Compound from July 1until July 31, 2008. Local producers were given the chance to display and sell their products to local and foreign buyers and thus augment their incomes. Such fairs are important in order that Bohol’s unique native products be made known, not only in the province, but to the whole world.

The search of the Miss Bohol Sandugo kicked-off with pictorials and press conference held at Miravilla Resort at Booy last July 1, followed by the swimwear and talent competition last July 12 at the Bohol Cultural Center. The “Big Night” which encompassed the pageant and the conferring of the Ms. Bohol Sandugo crown to “the best among the rest” among the 14 candidates was held at the HNU Gymnasium on July 18.

The 14 candidates were as follows: Lovely Ligones, Ms Tagbilaran; Aubrey Jumamoy, Ms Image Marketing; Maria Corazon De la Cruz, Ms Shopper’s Mart; Lupa Emelia Pinat, Ms YCY Marketing; Jane Iris Racho, Ms Balilihan; Virame Evangelista, Ms ECS Consultancy; Donna Maricel Cardino, Ms Island City Mall; Chandrina Elluiska Schreurs, Ms Provincial SK Federation; Michelle Latras, Ms Talibon; Isabel Joy Ancog, Ms Carmen; Vanessa Leoparda, Ms Baclayon; Maria Cielo Angelie Cajes, Ms Trinidad; Melody Amor Bungabong, Ms Albur and Joy Marie Maglajos, Ms Catigbian.

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The reigning Miss Bohol Sandugo, Anna Maris Arcay Igpit, who also coveted the title of the Bb. Pilipinas-World, conferred the crown to the winner, Ms Catigbian – Joy Marie Maglajos who is 23 years old and the oldest among the candidates. She also bagged the Best in Gown Design Award.

First Runner Up is Ms Provincial SK Federation – Chandrina Elluiska Naldoza Schreurs who hails from Garcia Hernandez was also adjudged “Best in Festival Attire” plus awards from Aldea Photo, HBC, Dunkin’ Donuts and Miss Pepsi Smile.

Michelle Latras of Talibon was hailed as the 2nd Runner Up as well as the titles for Best in Gown and Best in Swimsuit. The 3rd and 4th Runners Up positions went to Donna Maricel Cardino – Ms ICM and Ma. Cielo Angelie Cajes – Ms Trinidad respectively. Ms Cajes was also proclaimed as the “Best in Talent”. Miss Tagbilaran, Mary Lovely Ligones, was conferred the title of Miss Photogenic and Cherry de la Cruz of Shopper’s Mart bagged the Best in Production Number title.

The search was spearheaded by the Bohol Sandugo Foundation, Inc. with the help of the city and provincial governments. Chosen as part of the retinue of the board of judges were Labor Regional Director Elias Cayanong, furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, Globe Telecom’s Raymundo Crystal, San Miguel Beer’s Napoleon Murillo, Miss Cebu 2002 and Bb. Pilipinas 2005 2nd runner-up Melanie Ediza.

Nightly entertainment went on as scheduled at the Tagbilaran City Hall Compound. One affair was the Latin Ballroom Dancing Contest. Well attended was the All-Star Celebrity Basketball held at the Bohol Wisdom School last July 11 at 7 PM and the MYMP and Kim Chiu Concert at Bohol Tropics Resort last July 19. A live concert at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium of Yeng Constantino and party was besieged by their fans.

There were other activities such as the Sandugo Punchfest and the KIA Iron Legs 1st Bohol Road Bike Race with route traversing Tagbilaran, Baclayon, Albur, Loay, Loboc, Bilar, Batuan and Carmen.

The 2008 Sandugo Regional Product & Raw Material Showcase was held at the lower and upper ground level of Island City Mall which features the best and finest OTOP (One Town One Product) from more than a hundred exhibitors from the whole Visayas region. At the 2nd floor of the Mall, near the World of Fun, was an Art Exhibit entitled “Bohol: Hatag ni Bathala”. The exhibit ended on July 31, 2008. There were other activities at the mall, such as the “Magic Sing Challenge” where lucky winners were given cash prizes.

On July 22, 2008, Bohol again celebrated the “Bohol Day 2008” in commemoration of the day when Bohol became a separate politico-military province from Cebu. The day was declared a special non-working holiday throughout the province of Bohol.

The Sandugo month-long celebration climaxed on July 27 with the Street Dancing Parade from the Tagbilaran pier to the CPG Sports Complex. The contingents came from the different towns and schools of Bohol. 3 Awards of P50,000 + trophy where given to contingents coming from Jagna, Maribojoc and Pamilacan Island for Best in Street Dancing, Best in Field Performance, and Best in Production Design, respectively.

Minor awards of P20,000 +trophy were equally given to Catigbian National High School, Carmen, Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School, University of Bohol and Catigbian National High School for titles: Most Creative, Most Lively, Best in Costume, Best in Instrumentation and Best in Over-all Impact, respectively.

Major sponsors of the whole Sandugo affair, in alphabetical order, were Bohol Light Company Inc., Bohol Water Utilities, Inc., Chowking, First Consolidated Bank, Globe Telecom, Miravilla Resort, Pepsi, San Miguel Corporation and SRN Fast Seacrafts, Inc. Minor sponsors were Bohol Quality, Derma Blend, Dunkin’ Donuts, “HBC Exclusibo”, Island City Mall and STI.

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