This year’s Sandugo celebration is as exciting as ever as in previous outings, this according to Mario Uy, president of the Bohol Sandugo Foundation, Inc., organizer of the month-long celebration. Although only six contingents are participating in the street dancing competition, the shortage in competitors is offset by the presence of a powerhouse cast of TV-movie celebrities. Invited to grace on Sunday, the culmination of the Sandugo festivities, are GMA 7 movie-TV personalities, namely, Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Rafael Rosell, Bianca King, Dion Ignacio and JC Dioseco and many others. Another attraction on Sunday is a fireworks competition between two known fireworks dealers in this city. Still another must-see event is a sky-dive exhibition courtesy of sky divers from Cebu. The sky diving event is brought here as a public service of Arnel Armamiento, CEO, Bethlehem Garden Homes. A street party under the auspices of the city government thru City Mayor Baba Yap will also be held in front of the Tagbilaran City Square on July 28. The main attraction on July 28 is the street dancing completion among the following contingents: BISU-Clarin, Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School, barangay Cogon,-Tagbilaran, barangay Doljo-Panglao and barangay Totolan-Dauis.

REGIONAL TRADE EXPO

The yearly Sandugo celebration will never be complete without the regional trade expo exhibition. Sponsored by the e Department of Trade and Industry Region 7, this Sandugo Regional Trade Expo will be held at the Island City Mall on July 24. Now on its 8th year as a regional trade fair, the Sandugo Trade Expo has already established name recall among buyers and visitors all over the country. This year’s exhibit will feature timeless interpretations of locally made products focusing on heritage, culture and environment protection through ecologically-friendly, sustainable and indigenous materials. More specifically, products to be exhibited will range from furnishings and fixtures to wearables, and fashion accessories, as well as fresh and processed food; that are appropriate to the requirements of the tourism sector. The exhibit, which will be open from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, runs around the theme “Go green. Buy local.” Exhibitors to the fair are SMEs from all over Central Visayas as well as from neighboring provinces in Visayas and Mindanao. A short program will mark the formal opening of exhibits at 4 in the afternoon at the ICM Activity Center. DTI Undersecretary for Regional Operations Zenaida Cuizon Maglaya will grace the affair. A simultaneous launching of the SME Roving Academy and MOA signing for the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) projects of DTI will also form part of the opening program. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held immediately at The Block. (DTI-Bohol)