NEW WASHINGTON, Aklan—The local government of New Washington is institutionalizing its Pacto De Sangre, transitioning it from a historical event to an annual festival.
Mayor Jessica Panambo announced on Sunday that she has directed the town’s 16 barangays to budget for expenses related to forming representative groups for the annual dance competition.
Panambo also increased the grand prize to P100,000 for both barangay and school categories. Barangay Guinbaliwan won the barangay division in Saturday’s competition, while Candelaria National High School won the school division. The festival highlights residents’ way of life, particularly their oyster industry.
“The festival started only three years ago, and I am pleased with its growing popularity,” Panambo stated.
The Pacto de Sangre, or Blood Compact, commemorates Aklanon heroes who resisted Spanish colonization. Celebrated annually from March 1 to 3, the festival’s historical core is the actual blood compact among local revolutionaries, which occurred on March 3, 1897, in Sitio Kuntang, now Barangay Ochando.