courtesy of 1998 Department of Tourism
Region VII 
Tourism Situationer

History of the Festival
(courtesy of Bohol Magazine)
  
  The year was 1989. The Department of Tourism and the Philippine Convention and visitors Corporation had a new merchandising campaign aimed at creating an awareness of the Philippines as an activities-filled destination for local and foreign tourists. It was dubbed Fiesta Islands '89.
  As early as January of that year, the provincial and city governments expressed intention for Bohol to be included in the Fiesta Islands '89 Calendar of Events.
  Brainstorming here. Preparation work there. Everybody were in high spirits. The time had come for Boholanos to unite in a single celebration, one that will also display the rich historical and socio- cultural heritage of the province.
  It was agreed to e a three-day affair to fall on July 20-22, the last day being Bohol Day, a non-working holiday.
  The organizational set up for the festival was finalized on March 27, with the Gov. Constancio Torralba as chairperson of the executive committee and the Tagbilaran Mayor Jose V. Torralba as vice chair.
It was during the said organizational meeting that Ms. Celia dela Serna suggested renaming Fiesta Island '89 to Bohol Sandugo Festival '89 A Day of International Friendship.
  Highlight of the celebration was the street dancing along CPG Avenue and capped with the re-enactment of the Blood Compact at the CPG Sports Complex. Plaing the role of Spanish Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi was Mayor Joe Torralba with Mr. Teotimo Borja as Datu Sikatuna.
  Other activities included a cultural and historical showcase dubbed as Kaagi, a trade and agro-affair, food fiesta,  sportsfest, shootfest, ballroom dancing, the 1st Bohol Pop Music Festival, Hadal nga Bol-anon, and Miss Bohol Fiesta Islands.
  Each year, Boholanos' passion for merry making and artistry is well attested by the success of the Sandugo.
  The Bohol Sandugo Foundation Inc. was created to supervise the management of the affair.

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