For the first time in history, Tagbilaran City will sit out this year’s Capitol-organized Sandugo Street Dancing Competition to allegedly concentrate its resources on preparations for the 2027 Sinulog Festival in Cebu City, where it will defend the title it won for the first time this year.

City Tourism Officer Alexis Cadelina said the decision would allow the city contingent to focus fully on preparations following its win at the January 2026 Sinulog Festival.

Tagbilaran City was declared Grand Champion in the Sinulog-Based Category and also won Best in Musicality on Jan. 18, 2026, marking the first time a Bohol contingent claimed the top title in its debut year in the competition.

Cadelina said preparations for Sinulog 2027 were already underway, with seven months remaining before the event.

He said the city would channel all its strength and energy into the Sinulog buildup, prompting its withdrawal from this year’s Sandugo Street Dancing Competition.

The Sinulog street dance, held every third Sunday of January in Cebu City, is regarded as the “Mother of All Festivals” in the Philippines.

Tagbilaran City previously won the Sandugo Street Dancing Competition in 2023 and 2024 and placed first runner-up in 2025.

City officials said their goal is to sustain the momentum from the Sinulog win and defend the title in 2027.

Meanwhile, a total of 2,063 performers from nine Bohol municipalities will compete for a P1-million grand prize in the Sandugo sa Bohol 2026 Street Dancing and Ritual Showdown on July 26, 2026 at the CPG Complex, Tagbilaran City.

Contingents from Alburquerque, Loay, Maribojoc, Antequera, Valencia, Dimiao, Ubay, Catigbian and Talibon will present their culture, tradition and history through street dancing, ritual performances, indigenous music, costumes and choreography.

Organizers said the grand champion will receive P1 million, while the first runner-up will get P800,000, the second runner-up P700,000, the third runner-up P600,000 and the fourth runner-up P500,000.

The remaining seven contingents will each receive P300,000 as consolation prizes. Special awards include P300,000 for Best in Street Dancing and P100,000 each for Best in Musicality and Best in Production Design.

The Provincial Government of Bohol also allocated a P1-million subsidy for each participating local government unit to support the contingents and promote local culture.

The Bohol Center for Culture and Arts Development held a final coordination meeting on July 23, 2026 with provincial officials, national government agencies, the City Government of Tagbilaran, participating municipalities and other stakeholders to finalize road closures, parade routes, traffic management, crowd control, venue operations and security deployment.

The contingents represent the Sambat Festival of Loay, the Katigbawan Festival of Catigbian, the Basket Festival of Antequera, the Enting-Enting Festival of Maribojoc, the Ubay-Ubay Festival of Ubay, the Asin Tibuok Festival of Alburquerque, the Abundayon Festival of Talibon, the Sang-at Festival of Valencia and the Kuradang sa Lomboy of Dimiao.

The showdown forms part of the Sandugo sa Bohol 2026 celebration under the theme Bibo Stream, which runs from June to August with cultural, tourism and community activities across the Bohol Island Geopark.

In a related development, the Provincial Government of Bohol honored outstanding Bol-anons and institutions during Gov. Aris Aumentado’s Excellence Awards on Wednesday, part of the celebration of the 172nd Bohol Day at the Bohol Cultural Center.

The ceremony recognized individuals and groups who contributed to education, medicine, journalism, agriculture, environment, business, culture and arts, sports, public service and community leadership.

Licensure exam topnotchers honored included MC Mitchell Lodia, sixth placer in the Criminologist Licensure Examination; Jasper Leonard Amejan, 10th placer in the Licensure Examination for Teachers; and Gil Tape, 10th placer in the Real Estate Appraiser Licensure Examination. Dr. Cielo Maria Segovia, a medical scholar of the provincial government who passed the Physician Licensure Examination in March 2026, was also recognized.

Posthumous awards for media practitioners went to Francisco “Ric” Obedencio and Engr. Anastacio “Jun” Daniel Jr.

In the cooperative sector, the Aguipo Coconut Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative received the Gawad Saka Outstanding Farmers’ Cooperative award, the Bohol Dairy Cooperative was named Most Active Farmer Cooperative Association, and the Bohol Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative was cited for its support to farmers and fisherfolk through agricultural loans and weather-protection insurance.

Recognized for contributions to agricultural innovation, farming development, youth leadership and academic advancement were Engr. Emmanuel Gamonez, Marlito Uy, Mannie Rey Bumaat Amoguis, Kyle Lanzaderas Ambid, Bernadita Castulo and Dr. Anthony Penaso.

Environmental advocates and researchers Arch. Erven Digal, Prof. Reizl Pamaong-Jose, Dr. Jesrelljane Amper, Dr. Laurice Jamero, Dr. Jo Marie Acebes and Dr. Rico Ancog were honored for work in biodiversity research, marine science, climate resilience, conservation and environmental policy.

In business and commerce, R&G Shells Trading, Mapalad Power Corporation and Pedi App were cited for contributions to entrepreneurship, energy development and information and communications technology. Ireluis Toribio received the Governor’s Special Award for his leadership as president of the Bohol Circle of Eastern USA.

In public service, PLTGen Bernard Banac was honored for law enforcement leadership and Associate Justice Lord Apalisok Villanueva for judicial service. In culture and arts, songwriter Jimmy Borja and the dance group T-MATES were recognized for achievements in music and international dance competitions.

Bol-anon athletes honored for medals in national and international competitions included Jayshel Bea Sarabia, Aicelle Marie Renoblas, Gwen Diaz, Vince Harry Migraso, Kadgie Aninao, Justin Madelo, Zyx Alexander Apalisok, Rich Nino Montecino, Airo Saldua, Jhul Ian Cañalita, Ma. Emely Balunan, Kristina Concepcion Belano and KC Mae Gamayon.

A posthumous agriculture award was given to Zen Darunday, an environmental advocate, organic agriculture practitioner and photographer recognized for his contributions to sustainable farming and community leadership.

Organizers said the Governor’s Excellence Awards has become one of the major highlights of the Bohol Day celebration, honoring those who contributed to the province’s development and inspiring others to strive for excellence.

In another related report, Bantawan 2026 has drawn more than 110,000 visitors as of July 21, 2026, as the main event of the Sandugo sa Bohol Festival continues to draw crowds.

Data presented at the Bantawan Coordination Meeting on July 23 at the Provincial Administrator’s Office Conference Hall showed total foot traffic in the area reached 110,081, averaging 5,859 visitors per day.

The meeting was led by Bohol Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office Officer-in-Charge Jude Bernard Guieb, along with representatives from the Provincial Internal Audit Office, the Governor’s Office-Protocol Affairs, Ej De Guzman of the Governor’s Office-International Relations Section, the PDRRMO, the PSF and the Bohol Integrated Development Foundation.

Organizers said this year’s turnout is being measured against last year’s benchmark of 241,421 visitors, and the Capitol’s Pamfundo has already begun preparations for Bantawan 2027.

Guieb recommended holding regular communications meetings among offices and partner agencies to improve coordination for future events, while Concepcion Cagada of the Provincial Internal Audit Office recommended a post-event evaluation after the festival.

The effort is being carried out under the leadership of Gov. Aris Aumentado as part of the province’s Strategic Change Agenda to strengthen sustainable tourism and reinforce Bohol’s standing as a UNESCO Global Geopark.