This shrine is built in commemoration of the blood compact or Sandugo between the Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and the Bohol chieftain, Datu Sikatuna. This is to seal their friendship as part of the tribal tradition.
This is considered the first international treaty of friendship between the Filipinos and Spaniards. The inscription in the monument describes the event.
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| A well at the back-lower portion of the site |
About the middle of March 1565, the fleet of Captain General Miguel López de Legazpi anchored along these shores. In the course of this visit, López de Legazpi entered into a blood compact with Datu Sikatuna for the purpose of insuring friendly relations between the Spaniards and Filipinos.
Each of the two leaders made a small cut in his arm, drew a few drops of blood from the incision, mixed it with wine, and drank the goblet containing the blood of the other. Thus was the first bond of friendship between Filipinos and Spaniards.
It is observed in the following manner: one from each party draws two or three drops of blood from his own arm or breast and mixes them in the same cup, with water or wine. Then the mixture must be divided equally between two cups and neither person may depart until both cups are alike drained.
If there are attractions that were not damaged by the earthquake, this one is among them. This site is a really must visit, even just for a short time. For me it visiting it completes my visit in Bohol. When I went back there in 2016, we stayed at the Ocean Suites and it's located just a few steps from hotel. Best to visit this site early in the morning when there's not much people around.
And if you have extra time, make sure to visit the shops around the area for a souvenirs or pasalubong.
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