Datu Sikatuna

Datu Sikatuna (or Catunao) was a Datu or chieftain of the Bool Kingdom (or Kedatuan of Dapitan) in the island of Bohol in the Philippines. He made a blood compact (sanduguan) and alliance with the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi on March 25, 1565 at Hinawanan Bay, barangay Hinawanan, Loay.[1] Their blood compact is the first Treaty of Friendship between Spain and the Philippines.[2] The previous site of the pact was at barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City but later concluded the event actually happened at barangay Hinawanan, Loay, Bohol through Resolution No. 4, issued by the National Historical Institute in 2005.[3]

A monument of the blood compact in Tagbilaran City.
In this Philippine name for indigenous people, this person is addressed by the sole name, Katuna.

Bool Kingdom

Brothers — Datu Pagbuaya and Datu Dailisan, who were the known rulers of Kedatuan of Dapitan (Bool Kingdom) before the arrival the Spaniards.[4] The vast kingdom has control over the present-day Bohol, Siquijor, Tanjay, Northern Mindanao from Zamboanga to Surigao; Southern Leyte, and Eastern Mindanao up to Davao Oriental, with its capital at Tagbilaran Strait.[5] Datu Sigala and Datu Sikatuna are relatives of the two earlier brothers which are minor chiefs. However, Sigala is older than Sikatuna, which said to have a higher rank. The auxiliary word "Si" is the nominative prefix for minor chiefs of the Visayas, similar to known minor chiefs, like Si Catipan, Si Batumay, Si Maquio, and Si Cabon of Cebu. Sigala was the ruler of Loboc centered in barangay Himilian, while Sikatuna is the chief of Baclayon with seat of government at barangay Guiwanon.[6][7]

When the Sultanate of Ternate with the help of the Portuguese attacked Panglao in 1563, the surviving royal family seek refuge in Dapitan. After the battle, Sikatuna was heavily wounded and Sigala took him in Himilian, Loboc to recuperate.[7] Sigala and Sikatuna chose to remain in Bohol and eventually became the caretakers of the kingdom. The destruction of the kingdom was earlier prophesized by 15th century babaylan named Karyapa (or Caryapa), the first known native poet of the pre-Philippines.[8]

Arrival of Legaspi

Main Article : Sandugo

On November 21, 1564,[9] El Adelantado Governor-General Miguel Lopez de Legaspi led an expedition and departed from Barra de Navidad, Mexico (formerly Nueva España) in search for spices and the Spice Islands as commissioned by Viceroy Luís de Velasco by the royal order of King Philip II of Spain. With him were Augustinian friars — Fr. Andrés de Urdaneta, also a known navigation served as their spiritual adviser, Fr. Martin de Rada, Fr. Diego de Herrera, Fr. Andres de Aguirre, Fr. Lorenzo Jimenez de Esteban, and Fr. Pedro de Gamboa. Also included in the expedition were Spaniards — soldiers Martín de Goiti, Alonso de Arellano, Mateo del Saz, Melchor de Legaspi (Legaspi's son), Felipe de Salcedo (Legaspi's grandson), the future Governor-General Guido de Lavezaris (successor of Legaspi), also a survivor in 1521 Magellan's circumnavigation, and more than 200 others.[10] The expedition was composed of the Capitana, which carried on board Legazpi and Urdaneta, the galleons San Pablo and San Pedro, and the ship's tenders San Juan and San Lucas.[11] This was the fifth, the last, and the most successful of all Spanish expeditions after Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, García Jofre de Loaísa in 1525, Sebastian Cabot in 1526, Álvaro de Saavedra Cerón in 1527, and Ruy López de Villalobos in 1542 before Spanish colonization of the Philippines.[12]

The expedition reached Guam on January 23, 1565;[13] Samar and Leyte on February 13; Limasawa on March 9; and Camiguin on March 11. On March 14, they attempted reach Butuan, but unfortunately drifted by strong currents to Bohol at night. On March 15 at daybreak, they arrived offshore at Jagna, Bohol[14] and commissioned a light ship, San Juan to go Butuan, while the rest will wait for them in Bohol.[9] While in Bohol, they captured a Bornean native parao (ship), piloted by Tuasanmalea, also a Bornean.[7] The pilot narrated that the natives were already agitated with their arrival since the island was previously ransacked by foreigners, Ternatans and Portuguese two years earlier during the fall of Bool Kingdom.[9] On March 19, 1565, they landed at Hinawanan Bay in Loay, Bohol.[14]

Wary of the possible violent reaction from Boholanos, Legaspi tasked Tuasanmalea to look for the chief of the island as to make a friendly alliance with them, stressing that they aren't those barbaric Portuguese but rather peaceful Spaniards.[9] Tuasanmalea travelled through Loboc river from Hinawanan Bay (now part of Villalimpia, Loay), 2 leagues (about 11 km) away to Himilian (Jimilian), the seat of government of Datu Sigala. However, during that time, Sigala was not in Himilian. Instead Datu Sikatuna welcomed him and told the pilot to let their commander (Legaspi) come to make a Sandugo with him as to seal their alliance. However, when Tuasanmalea returned, he only brought Santiago de Garnica, the constable-in-charge of water of Capitana.[13] Knowing that Garcina was not their leader, Sikatuna only allow his son to make a blood compact with the former. Sikatuna then agreed to walk towards the shore to met Legaspi.[7]

The next morning, Datu Sikatuna, accompanied with about 40 warriors and women arrived at the shoreline of Hinawanan. They were greeted by the Spaniards and eventually requested Sikatuna to board San Pedro and to meet Legaspi. With several Spaniards remained at the shore, Sikatuna agreed to board flagship with 4 companions namely — Sibumanglar (Si Bumanglar), a Boholano, about 30 years old; Ximongoi (Si Mungoy), also a Boholano, 25 years old; Ceilan, a Bornean interpreter, about 35 years old; and Magut, also a Bornean, 25 years old. These Borneans were already in Bohol which either be merely traders or captives. These 4 companions executed 4 affidavits in the presence of Hernado Riquel,[9] Legaspi's chief clerk for administrative matters. The affidavits narrated the detailed events during the attack of the Portuguese and Ternateans in Bool Kingdom in 1563.[7]

Off the coast of Hinawanan Bay, Loay, Bohol and on the flagship San Pedro, the symbolic Pacto de Sangre (Sandugo) between Datu Sikatuna and Governor-General Miguel Lopez de Legaspi was performed, sealing the first treaty of peace and friendship on March 25, 1565.[7][3]

Another blood compact was performed, this time between Legaspi and Datu Sigala, the chieftain of Loboc on March 28, 1565. This sandugo was said to be more consequential than the former since it was done in a more traditional manner. The wine used during their blood compact was the native Tuba (palm toddy) mixed in a Hangot (coconut shell cup) instead of Spanish goblet. Sigala also shared a cantaro (about 4 gallons) of tuba and a native lechon to the Spaniards, signifying the hospitality and generosity of Filipinos towards foreign cultures.[15]

While still in Bohol, Legaspi sent a frigate to explore the islands of Cebu. However, despite of his instruction of after 8 days to return, the frigate failed to return even after 15 days. Saddened by the situation, Legaspi seek help and immediately requested Sigala and Sikatuna to find the frigate in Cebu. Accompanied with two Spanish soldiers, the two chiefs went to Cebu on board a large armed boat with thirty 30 rowers. Unfortunately, the chiefs reported that the frigate was not there when they returned to Bohol.[14] Later, Legaspi decided to bring the whole fleet in Cebu on April 27, 1565 where they defeated Rajah Tupas, establishing the first Spanish colony in the Philippines, Villa del Santisimo Nombre de Jesús (Town of the Most Holy Name of Jesus) and declaring it as its first capital.

Later life

On November 17, 1595, two Jesuit priests, Fr. Juan de Torres and Fr. Gabriel Sanchez, left from Cebu and arrived in Baclayon. The Jesuits then organized a Christian community and Baclayon became a Residencia , the center of the Bohol missions under the supervision of the Diocese of Cebu.[16]

On July 16, 1597, Fr. Sanchez found the ageing Sikatuna in the hinterlands of Baclayon. The chieftain with his wife Albasea were then given catechism and later baptized. They received Christian names — Joaquin and Anna, after the parents of St. Mary, mother of Jesus, with feast day falls on July 16. The icons of both St. Joaquin and Anna are still found at the altar of the renovated Baclayon Church. Jesuits were delighted that were able to convert Sikatuna, which they found-out to be the exact chief who made the symbolic blood compact with Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

Jesuits made the Christianized Sikatuna (Joaquin) popular which also aided them to propel the evangelization of the province. Thus, Sikatuna was often mistakenly declared as the ruler of Bohol over higher-ranked Datu Sigala, which never converted to Christianity.[7]

The Blood Compact (Spanish: El Pacto de Sangre) is a painting made as a commemoration of the pact by famous artist Juan Luna in 1886 and is permanently enshrined at the Malacañan Palace. On Luna's painting, it was his future brother-in-law and an Ilustrado, Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, who posed as Legazpi, and national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal posed as Sikatuna. It was both exhibited in Barcelona and the Universal Exposition at Saint Louis in 1904. Another similar painting was made by national artist, Carlos Modesto "Botong" Villaluz Francisco.[17]

Blood Compact Shrine was made in commemoration of the blood compact locally known as the Sandugo, which is located at barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City. The said monument is a work by the renowned Filipino National Artist for sculpture and Boholano native Napoleon Veloso Abueva.

Legacy

See also

References
  1. "A Short History of the Bohol (Part I)". Bohol.ph. March 29, 2002. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  2. "Blood Compact Site". Bohol.ph. March 29, 2002. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  3. "2005 Board Resolutions". NHCP. July 21, 2005. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  4. "History of Tagbilaran". Tagbilaran.gov.ph. June 30, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  5. Jes B. Tirol (October 20, 2019). "Significant battles in Bohol: Battle of the Bo-ol Kingdom". Bohol Chronicle. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  6. Jes B. Tirol (August 31, 2012). "Freemasonry In Bohol and Cebu encountered by Gen. Miguel Lopez De Legazpi" (PDF). The Cabletow. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  7. Jes B. Tirol (July 19, 2015). "Sikatuna-Legazpi Sandugo: Complementary Informations". Bohol Chronicle. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  8. Antonio de Morga (1609). Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas.
  9. Peter Schreurs, MSC (1989). Caraga Antigua 1521-1910: the Hispanization and Christianization of Agusan, Surigao and East Davao (Thesis). Radboud University and University of San Carlos, Cebu City. p. 61-67.
  10. Collecion de documentos ineditos de Ultramar, second edition II. Real Academia de la Historia (Spain), Madrid. 1886. pp. 211–213.
  11. Gaspar de San Agustin (1998). Conquistas de las Islas Filipinas, 1565-1615. Translated by Luis Antonio Mañeru. San Agustin Museum.
  12. Gregorio F. Zaide (1949). Philippine Political and Cultural History, Volume I. Manila, Philippine Education Co. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  13. Isacio R. Rodriguez (1965). A Bibliography on Legazpi and Urdaneta, Philippine Studies vol. 13, no. 2. Philippine Studies, Ateneo de Manila University. pp. 287–329. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
  14. Jes B. Tirol (August 2012). The Cabletow Vol. 89, No. 2, Centennial Lectures: Freemasonry In Bohol and Cebu encountered by Gen. Miguel Lopez De Legazpi. pp. 32–45.
  15. Jes B. Tirol (March 29, 2015). "The More Meaningful Sigala-Legazpi Blood Compact". Bohol Chronicle. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  16. "History of Baclayon". Bohol-Philippines.com. January 1, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  17. Ambeth Ocampo (October 18, 2013). "Bohol and the blood compact". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
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