Blood Compact

The sandugo (which literally means “one blood”) was a blood compact, performed in the island of Bohol between Spanish conqueror Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, the chieftain of Bohol, on 16 March 1565 to seal their friendship as part of an indigenous tradition. This is considered the first treaty of friendship between Filipinos and Spaniards. The “Order of Sikatuna,” one of the Philippines’ three senior honors, is conferred upon foreign diplomats and nationals who have greatly contributed in fostering and strengthening relations with the Philippines.

Esperanza Baxter (1919-2015), a Spaniard who married a Filipino, considered herself a Filipino citizen having lived in the Philippines most of her life. Señora Baxter was an accomplished artist who studied in the prestigious Escuela de Bellas Artes in Barcelona, Spain. She was also a consummate bronze plate artist and sculptor. She captured in her art the history, heritage and culture of her adoptive country, the Philippines.

On 26 April 2016, Señora Baxter’s daughter, Margarita, donated her mother’s bronze plate art collection to the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco. An exhibit showcasing Señora Baxter’s impressive artworks was opened on 9 June 2016 at the Consulate’s Kalayaan Hall. The artworks now adorn the Consulate’s offices, in what is now appropriately named as the “Baxter Hall.”