ILOILO City – The 2023 edition of the Iloilo-Guimaras Paraw Regatta Festival, the oldest sailing competition in the country, officially opened on Saturday, March 12.
John Lex Bayombong, chairman of the Paraw Regatta Festival 2023, emphasized the huge contribution of the local fisherfolks who started the festival as a simple sailboat race in 1972, citing a tale told by his grandfather, Honorato “Tatoy” Espinosa of the famed Tatoy’s Seafood and Restaurant.
He said although the Paraw Regatta Festival has evolved into a multi-event festival through time, it should not be forgotten that the local fisherfolks were the reason why there is Paraw Regatta Festival today.
“Sila gid ang nag-umpisa sini gani daku ang aton pagpasalamat sa ila. We may have become a flamboyant celebration but we have always given honor and recognition to the people who started the festival, ang mga pinalangga naton nga mga mangingisda,” said Bayombong.
Espinosa, a fisherfolk who turned into a successful restaurateur because of his dedication to rise from the clutches of poverty, also served as chairman of the Paraw Regatta Festival prior to his grandson.
Meanwhile, Bayombong attributed the comeback of the face-to-face staging of the Paraw Regatta Festival after a three-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic to the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders such as the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) and Iloilo City Government, among others.
“Ang pagbalik sang Iloilo-Guimaras Paraw Regatta Festival sa sini nga tuig umpisa na sang aton mas ginpabaskug nga kusog bilang isa ka komunidad. Sa aton pag-ugyon sa kawsa sang kultura kag progreso kabay kita magpadayun nga mangin maisog sa pag-atubang sa pagpanghangkat sang panahon,” he said.
As this year’s festival is anchored on the theme, “Sailing Through the Waves of Ilonggo Tradition and Progress,” Bayombong urged everyone to “remain steadfast and strong that one day we will all be able to reach ashore with flying colors where we can find lasting peace, serenity and sustainable progress.”
The opening of the Paraw Regatta Festival 2023 was also graced by Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, city councilors, and officers of the IFFI, among others.
Around 60 paraw racers are expected to join the main sailing event – the highlight of the festival – on March 19./PN
