Groundworks set for Sandugo fest

TWO months before the annual Sandugo Festival unfolds in July, preparations spearheaded by the Bohol Sandugo Foundation Inc. (BSFI) are in full swing. The BSFI, festival keepers is also co-sharing the laying of the groundwork with the manpower and capabilities of the city government with Sandugo Chairman City Mayor Dan Neri Lim and co-chairman Gov. Erico Aumentado. Coinciding with this year's celebration is the global homecoming of Boholanos dubbed Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) which is set to draw hundreds of Boholanos abroad. With this expectation and with equally active participation from both the government and the private sector, this year's festival promises to be notches higher.

Among the festival's activities are the Agri, Food, and Trade Fairs which showcase Bohol's artistry and creativity through its products and the monthlong nightly presentation which would sustain Sandugo revelry after sundown; all these happening at the City Tourist Port. Following the successful jam-packed and pioneering Tagbilaran City Pop Music Festival, this year opens up another season of original compositions composed and interpreted by local talents. Likewise, the famed Search for Miss Bohol Sandugo continues, and hopes to discover produce another stunning beauty like Ana Mariz Igpit, the reigning Miss Bohol Sandugo 2005 and Binibining Pilipinas World ‘06. Anchored with this year's theme "Transcending Boundaries", the BSFI explores new horizons.

This year, up on its sleeves is the novel presentations of the Little Big Sandugo Star, Ginoong Bohol Sandugo and Little Miss Bohol Sandugo will have their debuts at the heart of family entertainment, Island City Mall Activity Center . Aligned with the celebration, Boholanos who excelled in their fields of endeavor would be awarded the Ten Outstanding Boholanos All-over the World (TOBAW). TBTK activities such as the Mrs. Bohol International, Miss Bohol International, Group Tours, Youth Camp specifically tailored for young balikbayans involving the much vaunted Heritage and Eco-Challenge, and performances by Boholano talents abroad are also scheduled. Arrangement for the Economic Forum expected to be audienced by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is likewise done. To cap the festivity is the Street Dancing Extravaganza divided in two categories: the Contest and Non-Contest.

The Contest category will be contended by Bohol-based delegation while the Non-Contest will bring in the Champions of other province's festivals as Guest Performers, which was preluded last year with the participation of Maskara (Bacolod City), Dinagyang (Iloilo City), Atiatihan (Kalibo, Aklan), Mantawi (Mandaue City), and Yagyag (Sibulan, Oriental Negros). Public and private schools, organizations, business establishments and clans are also joining the merriment in the streets. To widen the efficacy of task delivery, two groups were created, one based on the city hall focused on Sandugo activities while the other based on the capitol focused on the TBTK; both of which coordinated by Loreto Palapos, the executive director.

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