By I. Inojales | 08:32 AM July 06, 2026
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — The Sandugo 2026 Street Dancing Showdown will be held at the Carlos P. Garcia (CPG) Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City instead of Panglao town, following requests from participating local government units (LGUs) and negative public reaction over the earlier venue.
Emerson Pinos, officer-in-charge of the Center for Culture and Arts Development (CCAD), announced the decision during the Capitol Reports program on Friday.
Pinos said organizers decided to return the annual competition to Tagbilaran after participating LGUs expressed concerns that Panglao would be too far for both performers and spectators.
The earlier decision to stage the event in Panglao also drew negative reactions from many Boholanos, who pointed out that the Sandugo Street Dancing Showdown has traditionally been held in Tagbilaran, the capital city of Bohol.
Many believed the event should remain in the provincial capital, where it has long been one of the festival’s major attractions.
The annual street dancing competition has seen a steady drop in participating contingents in recent years, prompting organizers to implement changes to keep the event viable while managing financial constraints.
For this year’s competition, organizers have limited participation to 10 contingents to better manage the event’s budget and prize allocations.
Pinos explained that accommodating more participants would require additional funding.
As of Friday, nine LGUs had already confirmed their participation in the annual cultural competition.
Meanwhile, Tagbilaran City will not field a contingent in this year’s Sandugo Street Dancing Showdown.City officials have allocated their budget toward preparations for the 2027 Sinulog Festival street dancing competition in Cebu City, where the city hopes to defend its championship title.
The Sandugo Festival is Bohol’s annual celebration commemorating the historic blood compact between Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Bohol chieftain Rajah Si Katuna, with the street dancing showdown serving as one of its highlight events.
