The month-long Sandugo festivities will culminate this evening where celebrities from the stable of GMA Network will parade their wares in a fitting climax to a celebration now considered a world-class tourism brand. The parade of stars capped a day-long culminating rites starting with a parade along the city’s main streets featuring the eight contingents vying for prizes of the street dancing competition. The closing rites will also be highlighted with the presence of Sen. Loren Legarda, the guest of honor of the capping ceremonies. Among the GMA stars who confirmed their presence this evening are Katrina Halili (Munting Heredera), Moymoy Palaboy (Bubble Gang) Jillian Ward (Captain Barbell), Paolo Contis, Benjie Paras, Julian Trono, Daniel Matsunaga (Futbolilits) Gretchen Espina (Sinner or Saint). This was confirmed by Mario Uy, chairman, Bohol Sandugo Foundation, Inc. (BSFI) the group that managed all the activities of this year’s ‘mardi gras’. Carmen Gatal chair, of the street dancing competition bared the prizes during the contest, the main highlight of the closing ceremonies. The prizes for the winners are P250,000 for the grand winner; P175,000 and P125,000 for 2 nd and 3 rd, respectively. Best in street dancing will receive P30,000 and P5,000 as consolation prizes.

Mayor Dan Neri Lim and Gov. Edgar Chatto and Uy to be assisted by Ms. Enriqueta Butalid, provincial head, Center for Cultural Affairs and Development (CCAD); Argeo Melisimo, co-chair, street-dance committee; and Ms. Farrah Faye Mian, Miss Sandugo 2011 and her court are expected to hand over to the winners the prizes after the competition. The participants this year are getting smaller in number compared to the previous years. This time, the field is limited to participants from Bohol. The following municipalities fielded entries in the street dancing showdown: Antequera, Balilihan, Catigbian, Carmen, Dauis and San Miguel while Holy Name University and Bohol Island State University are fielding their separate contingents. Prior to actual contest, the participating dancers will take to the streets for the parade after converging at city tourist port as early as 11 AM on Sunday. They will pass through Gallares street to J. S. Torralba st., passing thru Plaza Rizal then main Pres. Carlos P. Garcia avenue, Tamblot street and finally CPG sports complex. Immediately after the parade, the competition will start and fireworks and GMA “Kapuso” show follow in the evening at the City Tourist Port. The Sponge Cola Band will provide the musical part of the show. Prior to the competition proper, Mayor Lim, Gov. Chatto and Uy will welcome guests and visitors followed by the Sandugo re-enactment courtesy of the Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School. Then the message of Senator Legarda will follow. She will be introduced by Mayor Lim.

Street-dancing is a fixture of the annual celebration since it was officially launched more than 20 years ago. It is a celebration honoring the first treaty of friendship when native chieftain Datu Sikatuna and Spanish general Miguel Lopez de Legaspi forged what is now called the Sandugo sometime in 14 th century. Datu Sikatuna and Lopez de Legaspi are immortalized in life-size icons put in place at barangay Bo-ol here, believed to be the exact place the treaty took place and becomes the stop-over by hundreds of tourists everyday. National artist Napoleon Abueva created the statues of Sikatuna and Legaspi. BSFI expressed gratitude to Mayor  Jose Mario Pahang of Antequera; Mayor Dominisio Chatto, Balilihan; Mayor Roberto Salinas, Catigbian; Mayor Jaime Jimenez, Dauis; Mayor Claudio Bonior, San Miguel; Mayor Conchita de los Reyes, Carmen; Fr. Francisco Estepa, HNU; Dr. Elpidio Magante, BISU; and Mrs. Concepcion Bagotchay, DCPNHS principal for support and cooperation and to sponsors: Globe telco, San Miguel Corp., Coca-cola, Miravilla Resort, First Consolidated Bank, Bohol Quality, Bohol Water Utilities, Inc., and GMA. (With reports from RVO)