235 vintas sail in Regatta de Zamboanga; Barangay Kasanyangan tops race
By Liza Jocson
ZAMBOANGA CITY – A total of 235 vintas (traditional outrigger boat from Mindanao) sailed from RT Lim Boulevard here on Sunday, October 8, in the much-anticipated Regatta de Zamboanga, one of the events under the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2023.

TWO-hundred thirty-five vintas set sail during the Regatta de Zamboanga, an activity under the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival in Zamboanga City. (Mayor John Dalipe FB)
Mayor John Dalipe officially opened the race as boat operators, most of whom were from coastal barangays here, raced towards the finish line.
Thousands of spectators lined up RT Lim Boulevard to witness more than 200 boat operators navigate their colorful and eye-catching vinta sails.
Two boat operators, Faizal Bayhapti and Kaisal Alano, both from Barangay Kasanyangan riding entry No. 147, finished first place and received a cash prize of P20,000 and other items.
They were followed by entries from Barangays Sinunuc (entry No. 1), Mariki (No. 75), Sinunuc (No. 27), and Rio Hondo (No. 53).
Best Sail Award went to the entry from Barangay Kasanyangan (No. 90).
Regatta de Zamboanga is touted as the biggest maritime race in the region and one of the highlights of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival celebration.
The race gained worldwide attention last year when Google featured the event as their doodle in their homepage.
Together with Dalipe in the event were Zamboanga City Rep. and House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, former Zamboanga Mayor Manny Dalipe, Vice Mayor Pinpin Pareja, Police Regional Office-9 Director Police Brig. Gen. Bowen Joey Masauding, Zamboanga City Police Director Police Col. Alexander Lorenzo, and city Councilors Vino Guingona, Joel Esteban, and Jihan Edding.