Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II has announced the 12 finalists of the Bohol song competition which grand showdown is one of the finales of the month-long Sandugo Festival this year. The capitol coordinator of the province's trademark festivities in whole July, Damalerio at the same time named the participating contingents to the streetdancing, the most awaited spectacle of Sandugo. The Bohol Sandugo Song Festival (BSSF) finalist compositions and their respective composers include, in no particular order, Sandugo Pagasaulogon Ta by Ralph Maligro; Buhing Bayani, Tony Paculba; # Selfie Mode, Nathaniel Rafols; Tagamtama ang Katam-is sa Kadaugan, Rudy Tutor; Magmalig-on Ka, Danny Esdrelon; and Basura, Paulito Gelig. Three songwriters have each two entries landing to the “magic dozen,” namely, Soc Saletrero with his finalist pieces Bag-ong Paglaum and Bangon Igsoon; Johnrey Fuertes, Damgo and Pagbalik; and Joseph Gara, Bahandi and Duyan.

The compositions will be rendered and interpreted by the songwriters' chosen singers/performers or by themselves during the grand performance night at the Bohol Cultural Center on July 25. The streetdancing will be on July 27, a Sunday. The grand champion composition gets P40,000; second prize winner, P30,000; third prize winner, P20,000; plus P7,000 for each of the finalists while the best interpreter purses in P5,000. There are special awards, according to Damalerio who at the same time acknowledged and thanked for the effort of those who have not been lucky to make it to the finalists' roll in this festival's edition. He also thanked the people who have leg worked in organizing the competition, notably Rene Balbin, Yoyon Ramisola and Eddie Orig.

The First Consolidated Bank (FCB) and provincial government of Bohol are the major sponsors of the songfest with the support of the Manulife, Tarsier Travel & Tours, Bohol Tropics Resort Club, South Central Construction Corp., The Three Muskeeters, JJ's Dimsum, BOFAMCO and LV Transport Services, The Bohol Chronicle and The Bohol Sunday Post. Adding color to the song competition is the presence of two box office talents. Victor Wood, a jukebox king in his own right while another box office personality is Eva Eugenio who during her prime was famous of her hits Tukso and Gulong ng Palad, among others. The invitation of the two guest performers was handled by Engr. Romie Sales, operator of the Hollywood Music Lounge. Meanwhile, the competing streetdancers come from Tagbilaran City, Anda, Antequera, Baclayon, Balilihan, Catigbian, Cortes, Mabini, Talibon, Bohol Institute of Technology – International College, Bohol Island State University – Calape Campus and Holy Name University. (Zjem Kisha R. Arigo)