The blood compact between the two leaders happened in 1564 or 1565 (different dates based on which book one reads), when Spain dispatched more expeditions to set colonies in the Far East. Remember, the Spaniards were competing against the Portuguese.
One of the expeditions, led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi reached the Philippines in the beginning of 1565, and established a Spanish settlement. He tried to land Cebu but was thwarted. To make the long historical story short… he met up two chiefs of Bohol, Datu Sikatuna of Bool and Datu Sigala of Loboc. He convinced (or misled) the leaders that they came in peace.
Termed in Spanish as “pacto de sangre,” a blood compact is an ancient custom or ritual where two people drink each other's blood to seal a friendship, a pact or treaty.
And on 16 March 1565 (or 25 March?) Legazpi and Sikatuna undertook the now famous blood compact. Today, this in Bohol every year as "One Blood" festival.
For me and Chief, our “blood compact” started last 05 November 2001 when we took the steps of our lives at Ho Chi Minh City and was blessed by Fr. Pads. The compact will last until all future becomes past. But no blood involved.
The steps to Bohol are part of our 7th year blessing.
