Bohol marks 171st founding year honoring culture, growth

THROUGH HISTORY Performers from Mater Dei College in Tubigon town reenact Bohol’s history—from the pre-Spanish era and the “sandugo” (blood compact) between Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, to the American and Japanese periods—during the opening of the 171st Bohol Day on July 22 in Tagbilaran City. —BOHOL PROVINCIAL INFORMATION AND MEDIA OFFICE PHOTO

TAGBILARAN CITY – Bohol province marked its 171st founding anniversary on Tuesday with a program that honored its rich heritage, enduring values, and vision for a progressive future.

Declared a special non-working holiday, the day commemorated the historic event in 1854 when Bohol officially became a separate politico-military province—along with Siquijor—after previously being administered as part of Cebu.

At the Bohol Cultural Center, the provincial government conferred the Governor’s Excellence Award to distinguished individuals from various fields—including agriculture, business, mass media, culture and arts, sports, sustainable environment and climate action, and public administration and governance.

In his keynote address, Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado described the celebration as a shared birthday for all Boholanos.

“We celebrate over 17 decades of remarkable triumphs, enduring accomplishments, and transformative growth,” he added.

He highlighted Bohol’s evolution into a dynamic economic and tourism powerhouse in the heart of the Philippines, citing its iconic Chocolate Hills, white sandy beaches, and skilled workforce as sources of local pride and progress.

Heroes all

The governor paid tribute to historic Boholano figures whose values continue to shape the province’s identity: Rajah Sikatuna, for peace and friendship; Francisco Dagohoy, for justice; Tamblot, for faith and conviction; Captain Francisco Salazar, for bravery; President Carlos P. Garcia, for national welfare through his “Filipino First” policy; and his father, the late governor Erico Boyles Aumentado, for inclusive development.

He said these values from these known Boholanos remained the “engine driving our relentless pursuit of excellence, innovation, and unmatched creativity,” underscored by this year’s theme: “Atong Sandugo: Driving Innovation, Celebrating Boholano Heritage, Excellence and Beyond.”

The people of Bohol, he added, must draw strength from their heritage as they face new challenges and opportunities.

As Bohol marks more than a century and a half of existence, the governor called on all Boholanos to help build a “smart, resilient, and inclusive” future—anchored in tradition, powered by innovation, and driven by unity.