ILOILO City – The 50th edition of the Paraw Regatta Festival – its first face-to-face event after a three-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic – kicks off today.
This year’s edition of the largest sailing event in the Philippines and the oldest “traditional craft event” in Asia is anchored on the theme “Sailing Through the Waves of Ilonggo Tradition and Progress.”
Around 60 paraw racers are expected to join the main sailing event – the highlight of the festival – on March 19, said Dr. Robert Somosa, race director, yesterday.
Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) executive director Joyce Clavecillas said the 50th year celebration of the Paraw Regatta Festival aims to emphasize the tradition of sailing still lives on despite the emergence of motorized or modernized bancas.
She said the festival does not only reflect the Ilonggos’ appreciation of the local tradition but also celebrates the progress of the metropolis.
Clavecillas added the festival also shows the maritime industry’s contribution to the city’s progress.
“Ang tradition sang aton mga pumoluyo especially sa mga coastal communities nagapabilin. At the same time we want to celebrate progress in the sense that ang festival, for years, nagadaku nga nagadaku. We appreciate out tradition, at the same time we also look forward for more progress in the city,” said Clavecillas.
The program for the official kick-off of the Paraw Regatta Festival 2023 will be held at Villa Beach fronting Tatoy’s Manokan in Arevalo district at 9 a.m. today
The IFFI and festival committee will introduce the Miss Paraw Regatta Festival 2023. She will be the official candidate of the festival to the Miss Earth Philippines.
The activities on the first day of the weeklong celebration of the festival include Jestki Fun Run which will start at Fredman Resort in Arevalo at 7 a.m. and Salome Boxing Event at Tatoy’s Manokan at 3 p.m.
The Paraw Photo Contest and Exhibit will also open today at the Robinsons Place Jaro and will run until March 31. It is open for amateur and professional photographers.
On March 13, there will be a Paraw Job Fair at SM City Iloilo starting at 10 a.m. More than 2,600 job vacancies are up for grabs.
“Pinta Layag” will also be on March 13 to 18 at the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University – Arevalo.
Aside from the main paraw race, the Sinamba sa Regatta is also one of the highlights of the festival. It will be held at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand on March 18, starting at 4 p.m.
Other activities include Pinta Regatta: Paraw Painting Competition (March 14 to 31) at Festival Mall Iloilo; Paraw Slalom Competition (March 16) at Tatoy’s Arevalo; Bayle sa Magwayen (March 17 to 18) at Magwayen Bistro Arevalo; Miniature Making Contest and Exhibit (March 17 to 24) at SM City Southpoint; HIT IT!: The Paraw Regatta Festival Ultimate Fitness Challenge (March 18) at Tatoy’s Arevalo; Beach Standup Paddle (March 17 to 18); and Beach Football Tournament 2023, National Ultimate Frisbee Tournament 2023 and Beach Volleyball (March 18 to 19).
PARAW MAIN SAILING EVENT
The registration for those who want to join the main sailing event is still open until Tuesday, March 14, said Somosa.
As of yesterday, 48 paraw racers from Boracay; Leganes, Tigbauan and Guimbal towns in Iloilo province; and barangays Santo Niño Sur and Santo Niño Norte, Arevalo have registered.
Somosa is confident the number of participants this year will exceed that of 2019 with 48 participants.
He added the paraw racers have been longing for the comeback of the face-to-face paraw race.
“This is already a part of their tradition and culture nga mag-intra. That is why ga-look forward gid sila every year nga madamyon gid ang paraw (race). Subong very happy gid sila especially nag-increase kita sa finishers’ prizes,” said Somosa./PN
