The Vens

Beyonce

"Our second stop is the Sanduguan Blood Compact Shrine," announces Mau.

"What beach is that?" I ask Mau as the van stops.

"That's Tagbilaran Beach. This is the actual site where the Bohol islanders first saw the Spanish galleons led by Migguel Lopez de Leggazpi," Mau says.

I get off the van and the damp heat swipes my face. The humidity is getting worse as more rain clouds cluster over the island.

My hair is getting frizzier. I tie my hair up and wipe the sweat off my nape.

It looks like it will rain at any moment. I am not worried about the rain but our tour guide surely is. Mau walks briskly toward the shrine and hurriedly tells us the story behind the historical blood compact.

"Datu Sikatunna told Migguel Lopez de Leggazpi that it was an ancient ritual in Bohol to seal a promise of friendship with a blood compact. Leggazpi agreed and cut his wrist and let the blood drip in a cup with coconut wine as demonstrated by Sikatunna. They both drank from the cup of friendship."

"Vampire ritual," Papa says laughing.

"How did they communicate? Who was their interpreter?" I ask.

"Uhmm...ah...I don't know. Maybe there was an interpreter. Maybe it was all body language," Mau shrugs.

"How could Datu Sikatunna believe this Legazpi sailed to the Philippines to be his friend? That was so stupidly naive of him. He had no idea that the evil king of Spain was about to colonize his island and the rest of the Philippine archipelago," I yell.

Mau becomes dumbfounded by my outrage. She looks at Mama and swallows.

"Why are you asking these questions, Betinna? Why don't you ask Sikatunna? Talk to him. Talk to the statue," Mama says pointing to the monument.

"Sorry, Mau. This humidity is driving my daughter crazy," Papa apologizes for me.

I come to my senses. What is wrong with me?

"Sorry, Mau. I don't know what got into me. Crazy runs in our family. My father side actually," I say apologetically.

Papa smiles.

I walk around the shrine and I read the inscription on the plaque.

BLOOD COMPACT BETWEEN SIKATUNNA AND LEGAZPI

ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF MARCH 1565, CAPTAIN GENERAL MIGGUEL LOPEZ DE LEGAZPI'S FLEET ANCHORED ALONG THIS SHORE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, LEGAZPI, MANIFESTING TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN THE ISLANDERS, ENTERED INTO A BLOOD COMPACT WITH DATU SIKATUNNA FOR THE PURPOSE OF INSURING FRIENDLY RELATIONS BETWEEN THE SPANIARDS AN THE NATIVES.

A FEW DROPS OF BLOOD DRAWN FROM A SMALL INCISION IN THE ARM OF EACH OF THE TWO CHIEFS WERE PLACED IN SEPARATE CUPS CONTAINING WINE.

IN THE PRESENCE OF THEIR FOLLOWERS, EACH CHIEF DRANK THE POTION CONTAINING THE BLOOD OF THE OTHER.

A BOND WAS SEALED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIVE PRACTICE. THE FIRST TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP AND ALLIANCE BETWEEN SPANIARDS AND FILIPINOS.

"That's bollocks! How could this Sikatunna be so stupid? Who the hell translated for Leggazpi? How were they able to communicate in the first place?"

I am yelling again. I am so irritated I want to pour acid on the shrine to melt Leggazpi's bronze face.

"Betinna! What is wrong with you?" Mama shouts.

I walk closer to Mau. She steps back and finds refuge behind Mama.

"It's just so ridiculous that they only conversed through sign language. How can Sikatunna explain to Leggazpi that he has to cut himself with a dagger and let his blood drip in a cup?" I yell at Mau again.