The month-long celebration of Sandugo highlighted by street dancing competition today may be the best gauge that Bohol is off the hook from last year's 7.2 magnitude earthquake and is on the road to rehabilitation and recovery. Looking back at the different activities scheduled for the whole month it is as if disaster never struck at all Far from the usual Sandugo activities of past celebration, this year's Sandugo, this time under the baton of the provincial government was full of drama and meaning. Some observers though, thought the very elaborate and colourful festivities did not speak of the true state of the province and could be just a show to re-establish Bohol's niche in tourism.

When some victims of the October 15, 2013 earthquake continue to live in makeshift shelters and are wondering where to get the next meal, a few sectors thought the celebration should have been tamed and focused on the theme of rehabilitation and recovery. It cannot be denied though that whether apt or not, this year's activities to celebrate Sandugo went beyond anybody's expectation. If entertainment is the intention of the provincial government in tandem with the city government of Tagbilarn to hide the pain that is still lingering in the hearts of the Boholanos, the strategy really worked.

However, if we hope to inspire more help from generous donors for the needs of the Boholanos who have fallen victims of the earthquake, donors may think we don't need them anymore. I remember the statement of one of UNDP's officers who were here to help in the recovery efforts. He said, “We know that our job is done when we are no longer needed.” The Sandugo celebration somehow gave this message – “Look we have normalized, we don't need any more help.”

Whatever it is, the Agora congratulates the provincial government of Bohol led by Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, and the city government of Tagbilaran led by Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap for the best show so far. Indeed the activities really showed what Sandugo really means – friendship- whether between locals and locals, or locals and foreigners. The participation that every sector had in all the activities has shown once more the real meaning of friendship.

Today's Sandugo dance competition to be preceded by a parade and street dancing will highlight once more that Sandugo is not just a celebration of friendship but also a merry making. It would have been good though had all municipal local government units participated because Sandugo is a celebration for all Boholanos and their friends and not just a few towns. But of course, as we have said, not all of us have gone over the tragedy brought by the devastating October 15 7.2 magnitude earthquake last year.

It is good that President Aquino is delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Tuesday when the Sandugo activities have all been done. Otherwise, the Boholanos may forget that it is the President of the Philippines who will be speaking on the state of the nation under his administration. At least because the SONA will be days after the culmination of the Sandugo activities, Boholanos can now look forward full of hope that President Noynoy will tell them something that will enliven their lives in the coming years.

Despite the threat of impeachment proceedings as a result of the Supreme Court decision declaring the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) unconstitutional, the President is expected to give his bosses a satisfactory scorecard. Back to the Sandugo. One lesson we can learn is that any program or project that is to be implemented will have better success if more hands do it. This time because the City of Tagbilaran and the Province of Bohol joined together with other stakeholders in putting the activities together, people have seen and enjoyed more activities that depict the meaning of Sandugo.