The Story Behind the Blood Compact

Located in Bohol's capital city, Tagbilaran, the historic site is the place where one of the most important events in the Philippines' history, the Blood Compact between Sikatuna, a native chieftain and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the Spanish explorer and colonizer took place on March 16, 1565. The Sikatuna-Legaspi blood compact is considered as the First Treaty of Friendship between peoples of different races, religious, culture and civilization. It was a treaty of friendship based on mutual respect and equality. The History Legaspi's fleet first landed in Cebu on February 13, 1565 but it did not stay long because the natives were hostile. In search for food, the fleet sailed to Samar, Leyte, Limasawa and Camiguin islands. But it was unable to secure food. Then, the fleet headed for Mindanao but was met by bad weather. When it reached the coast of Bo-ol, it abandoned its plan for Mindanao and took shelter in a small bay in the Bo-ol area. The Bo-ol natives were first observed to be hostile also to legaspi and his men. It was so because of the sad experience of the natives with the Portuguese who had earlier visited Bohol from Moluccas on large praus and committed outrageous acts against them posing as Castilians. The Spaniards however, found the natives to have already an established civilization. They had their own political, social and economic system which surprised the Spaniards. The natives lived in villages called 'barangays' ruled by datus. A datu was the judge, the lawmaker and the exclusive leader in times of war. As such, a datu was known to have at least 100 to 200 slaves. While the Spaniards were initiating friendly relations with the natives, Legaspi sent out emissaries to the chieftain, Rajah Sikatuna, who was the only chieftain contacted at that time, but he was reluctant at the outset to meet the Spanish general believing that he was Portuguese. But the historic moment did come to be Legaspi, representing the king of Spain, and Sikatuna, who represented the natives made historic "Blood Compact". A sharp dagger was used in cutting slightly both the arms of Legaspi and Siaktuna, then having their blood mixed in a cup of wine. From this cup both men drank to become blood brothers in eternal friendship. The act has come down in history as promise of brotherhood and friendship.

Source: from the Internet