Bohol’s Sandugo Festival runs through the month of July in Tagbilaran City, commemorating the 1565 blood compact — the sandugo, “one blood” — between Datu Sikatuna and Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi, regarded as a first treaty of friendship. Its street-dancing highlight is the Bangga sa Kuradang ug Subli sa Sandugo: “bangga” is a contest of kuradang, the Visayan courtship folk dance whose movements are said to echo arnis stances, and “subli” is the dramatized reenactment of the blood compact itself. Contingents from schools, towns, and Boholano groups compete, finishing with the reenactment before the judges. These photos are from the Sandugo street dancing in July 2017.

See also: Dinagyang Festival 2017 – Ati Dance Competition