ILOILO CITY – The Paraw Regatta Festival here resumed after a three-year break due to the pandemic and celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sunday, March 19.
COLORFUL native sailboats race on the Iloilo Strait, the body of water separating Iloilo City and the island-province of Guimaras in the 50th Paraw Regatta Festival on Sunday, March 19. (Tara Yap)
Hundreds of Ilonggos trooped to Villa Beach to mark the golden anniversary of the native sailboat race. “We are celebrating this occasion to give recognition to our fishermen and our fisherfolk,” said John Lex Espinosa Bayombong, chairman of the 50th Paraw Regatta Festival. Highlight of the Paraw Regatta is a race among native outriggers on the Iloilo Strait, the body of water separating Iloilo City from the island-province of Guimaras. Boatmen have to rely on the wind for speed to top the race. “The success of this activity is our contribution to enrich our traditions despite the quest for progress,” added Bayombong. The annual festival is managed by the Iloilo Festival Foundation Inc. (IFFI) in partnership with the Iloilo City government, the Iloilo provincial government, and JCI Iloilo. Ilonggos and visitors received free “lechon” (roasted pig) as well as witnessed performances from Samba de Regatta dancers, a beach volleyball competition, a frisbee competition, and a body-painting contest. The festival began in 1973 and solely organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 (Western Visayas). The event grew and a foundation was created to manage the yearly festival.
COLORFUL native sailboats race on the Iloilo Strait, the body of water separating Iloilo City and the island-province of Guimaras in the 50th Paraw Regatta Festival on Sunday, March 19. (Tara Yap)
Hundreds of Ilonggos trooped to Villa Beach to mark the golden anniversary of the native sailboat race. “We are celebrating this occasion to give recognition to our fishermen and our fisherfolk,” said John Lex Espinosa Bayombong, chairman of the 50th Paraw Regatta Festival. Highlight of the Paraw Regatta is a race among native outriggers on the Iloilo Strait, the body of water separating Iloilo City from the island-province of Guimaras. Boatmen have to rely on the wind for speed to top the race. “The success of this activity is our contribution to enrich our traditions despite the quest for progress,” added Bayombong. The annual festival is managed by the Iloilo Festival Foundation Inc. (IFFI) in partnership with the Iloilo City government, the Iloilo provincial government, and JCI Iloilo. Ilonggos and visitors received free “lechon” (roasted pig) as well as witnessed performances from Samba de Regatta dancers, a beach volleyball competition, a frisbee competition, and a body-painting contest. The festival began in 1973 and solely organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 (Western Visayas). The event grew and a foundation was created to manage the yearly festival.