The Municipality of Catigbian delivered a championship performance at the Sandugo sa Bohol Festival of Festivals 2026 Street Dancing and Ritual Showdown, earning the festival’s highest honor and two major special awards.
Through powerful storytelling, synchronized choreography, colorful costumes, and an inspiring celebration of Boholano heritage, Catigbian’s Pondok Katigbawan Festival was named Grand Champion. The contingent received ₱1 million and a trophy for its outstanding presentation.
Catigbian also won Best in Street Dancing, worth ₱300,000 and a trophy, and Best in Production Design, earning another ₱100,000 and a trophy.
Sandugo sa Bohol Festival of Festivals 2026 Winners
🏆 Grand Champion – Municipality of Catigbian
Pondok Katigbawan Festival
Prize: ₱1,000,000 and a trophy
🥈 1st Runner-Up – Municipality of Alburquerque
Asin Tibuok Festival
Prize: ₱800,000 and a trophy
🥉 2nd Runner-Up – Municipality of Loay
Sambat Mascara Regatta Festival
Prize: ₱700,000 and a trophy
🏅 3rd Runner-Up – Municipality of Dimiao
Banay sa Kulturang Dimiaonon
Prize: ₱600,000 and a trophy
🏅 4th Runner-Up – Municipality of Antequera
Piskaya Antequera Basket Festival
Prize: ₱500,000 and a trophy
Special Awards
Best in Production Design: Catigbian
Creativity took center stage as Catigbian received the Best in Production Design Award. Its exceptional visual presentation, detailed costumes, props, and stage elements helped bring the story of Pondok Katigbawan to life.
The municipality received ₱100,000 and a trophy for the award.
Best in Street Dancing: Catigbian
Catigbian filled the streets with energy, rhythm, and precision to secure the Best in Street Dancing Award.
Its performers impressed the audience through synchronized movements and a festive presentation that reflected the cultural identity and community spirit of Catigbian. The contingent received ₱300,000 and a trophy.
Best in Musicality: Alburquerque
The Municipality of Alburquerque won Best in Musicality for its excellent use of music, rhythm, and choreography.
The music supported every movement of the Asin Tibuok Festival performance, helping tell the story of one of Bohol’s most treasured traditions. Alburquerque received ₱100,000 and a trophy.
Catigbian Celebrates Its Natural and Agricultural Heritage
Catigbian’s championship presentation highlighted the municipality’s abundant landscapes, agricultural communities, grasslands, caves, and cattle-raising traditions.
The choreography reflected the resilience and hard work of its people while celebrating the meaning of “katagbawan,” or fulfillment and abundance. With its striking production design and coordinated formations, the contingent delivered a performance that captured the cultural heart of the festival.
Alburquerque Honors the Tradition of Asin Tibuok
Alburquerque brought the centuries-old craft of Asin Tibuok to the festival stage.
Through carefully arranged movements, the performers recreated the traditional salt-making process—from filtering coconut ash to forming and firing clay pots. The presentation honored the artisans who continue to preserve this important part of Alburquerque’s cultural identity.
Its compelling performance earned the municipality the 1st Runner-Up title and the Best in Musicality Award.
Loay Celebrates Its Maritime Legacy
Loay’s Sambat Mascara Regatta Festival celebrated the municipality’s location where the river meets the sea.
Colorful masks, maritime-inspired formations, and synchronized choreography paid tribute to Loay’s seafaring traditions and community spirit. The performance earned Loay the 2nd Runner-Up title.
Dimiao Brings the Kuradang and Lomboy to Life
The Municipality of Dimiao showcased the lively spirit of the Kuradang sa Lomboy Festival through its Banay sa Kulturang Dimiaonon contingent.
Dressed in striking purple costumes, the performers celebrated the town’s famous lomboy, or Java plum, while honoring Dimiao’s agricultural heritage and traditional Kuradang dance.
The vibrant presentation secured the 3rd Runner-Up award.
Antequera Showcases Its Woven Legacy
Antequera honored its reputation as the Basket Capital of Bohol through the Piskaya Antequera Basket Festival.
Its synchronized movements reflected the detailed process of weaving bamboo and rattan. The performance celebrated generations of skilled artisans whose craftsmanship remains an important source of identity and livelihood in the municipality.
Antequera finished as 4th Runner-Up.
Other Municipalities Share Bohol’s Cultural Stories
Several other participating municipalities also presented performances inspired by their local history, industries, faith, and natural resources.
Ubay celebrated its identity as the Dairy Capital of Bohol, highlighting its farming communities, countryside, and thriving dairy industry.
Valencia presented the Sang-at Festival, honoring the courage of its seafaring ancestors who lifted boats to safety during dangerous monsoon conditions.
Talibon brought the Abundayon Festival to the stage, showcasing its coastal heritage, marine resources, fishing communities, and enduring faith.
Maribojoc presented the Enting-Enting Festival, celebrating the municipality’s devotion, resilience, and tradition of seeking divine protection.
Each contingent contributed to a colorful showcase of the traditions that make Bohol’s municipalities unique.
A Celebration of Boholano Culture
The Sandugo sa Bohol Festival of Festivals 2026 was more than a competition. It provided a platform for municipalities to preserve local stories, honor community traditions, and introduce Bohol’s diverse cultural heritage to a wider audience.
From salt-making and basket weaving to farming, fishing, faith, and maritime traditions, every performance reflected the creativity and pride of the Boholano people.
Congratulations to the Municipality of Catigbian, the Sandugo sa Bohol Festival of Festivals 2026 Grand Champion, and to all participating municipalities for bringing Bohol’s culture, history, and artistry to life.
📸 Official Page of the Provincial Government of Bohol
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