Tagbilaran City carved its name in history last Sunday when it became the first contingent from Bohol province to win the championship in the Sinulog-based category of the prestigious Sinulog Festival 2026.
The 400-strong contingent, known as Pundok sa Nagkahiusang Bol-anon, clinched the top prize of three million pesos at the Grand Ritual Showdown held at the Cebu City Sports Center on January 18, 2026.
The group also earned Best in Musicality honors for its exceptional use of drums, gongs and rhythmic elements.
Led by a multi-awarded cultural group from Barangay Ubujan, the Tagbilaran contingent featured 100 dancers, 200 props personnel and 100 instrumentalists who showcased synchronized Boholano cultural elements in their devotion to the Señor Santo Niño.
Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap credited the victory to collective effort and faith, saying the win belonged not just to the city but to all of Bohol.
“The contingent recruited talents from all over Bohol to become part of the team,” Yap said, noting that musicians came from Loboc, Valencia, Dauis and Panglao.
She expressed hope the victory would boost tourism and attract more visitors and investors to the province.
Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado hailed the achievement as a source of provincial pride.
The Municipality of Dumanjog finished second, followed by the City of Carcar in third place.
Cultural DISPUTE
The victory sparked debate on social media in the days following the event, with some questioning Tagbilaran’s use of the Bolibongkingking, a traditional devotional dance with specific steps and music originating from Loboc municipality.
The Bolibongkingking is performed in Loboc to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe during her annual feast and is recognized as part of the town’s intangible cultural heritage.
Online exchanges escalated into what some described as a “word war,” with critics accusing Tagbilaran of appropriating a cultural element closely identified with Loboc without proper attribution.
The Loboc local government issued a statement calling for unity, congratulating Tagbilaran on its victory while citing that the Bolibongkingking remains a living tradition rooted in Loboc’s heritage.
The municipality urged respect for cultural origins and encouraged all Boholanos to unite in promoting their shared identity.
No formal complaints were reported from Sinulog organizers, and the matter remained limited to online discussions.
OTHER CATEGORY
In the Free Interpretation category, Toledo City emerged as champion and swept related awards including Best in Street Dancing, Best in Costume and Best in Music.
The Kalivungan Festival from Cotabato province placed second, with the Hudyaka sa Bais Festival of Harvest finishing third.
The annual Sinulog Festival, organized by the Sinulog Foundation, honors the Santo Niño and draws millions of devotees, tourists and spectators to Cebu City each January.
This year’s event featured contingents from across Cebu province, neighboring islands and as far as Cotabato and Zamboanga, reinforcing the festival’s status as a premier cultural celebration in the Philippines.