51st Paraw Regatta Festival kicks off
ILOILO City – This year’s edition of the Paraw Regatta Festival officially kicked off yesterday with a solemn mass at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño de Arevalo in Arevalo district.
An opening ceremony followed at the Tatoy’s Manokan at Villa Beach.
“Today we embarked on a journey through time celebrating the enduring spirit of our Ilonggo community and the oldest sailing event in Asia. As we gather here I can’t help but reminisce about the waves of success we rode last year,” said John Lex Bayombong, chairman of the Paraw Regatta Festival, in his opening message.
He added: “Now on our 51st voyage, we are setting our sails higher, all for the Ilonggo people. To honor the fisherfolk we will set the celebration in motion.”
Bayombong also thanked the attendees and underlined the festival’s contribution to the preservation and promotion of Iloilo’s maritime customs.
Among those who graced the event were Bayombong’s grandfather, Honorato “Tatoy” Espinosa, one of the festival’s founding figures; Councilor Alan Zaldivar, representing the city government; and Miss Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival Shaima Al Yansuri.
The Paraw Regatta Festival, which is regarded as one of Asia’s oldest and biggest traditional craft festivals, will take place from Feb. 25 to March 3. A wide range of events honoring Iloilo’s maritime history will captivate spectators.
With thrilling sailboat races that would put experienced sailors to the test against the stunning Iloilo coastline, the festival’s opening program set the setting for a week- long celebration of the renowned paraw sailboat.
Earlier, Dr. Robert Somosa, Paraw Sailing Events chair, said they are targeting about 50 paraw racers in the main sailing event on March 3.
Other events for the 51st Paraw Regatta Festival are as follows:
* Pinta layag ( Feb. 26 to March 2)
* Pinta Regatta contest (Feb. 27)
* Paraw Regatta Job Fair and Miniature Paraw contest (Feb. 28)
* Slalom Race (Feb. 29) * Paraw Duathlon, beach sports, Sinamba Sa Regatta (March 2)
* Pinta Tawo, Pinta Layag judging, Paraw Lechon contest, Paraw Beach Bodies, Lighted paraw and fireworks display, photo contest, and awarding ceremony (March 3)/