Hinunangan events a sweeping success
The two historic sporting events – the Hinunangan Bay Marathon and Balik Baroto Regatta – that were staged to spice up the 165th founding anniversary of Hinunangan recently were a sweeping success that these are now being groomed to be yearly events in this progressive town of Southern Leyte.
Hundreds of longdistance runners from all over the country took part in the grueling marathon with the seven-kilometer stretch of the picturesque Hinunangan Bay as their backdrop, while a bunch of marginalized fisherfolks showed off their paddling skills aboard their colorful sailboats in the highly entertaining boat race.
The local government officials of Southern Leyte are on a high considering that the twin events served
their purpose well, not only in drumming up sports tourism but also in promoting awareness to the rich history and culture of Hinunangan.
“I am happy that the present leaders of Hinunangan led by Mayor Reynaldo Fernandez have initiated a week-long activities that our town has made an important place in world history when the American forces made the largest amphibious landing in our shore at Hinunangan Bay during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944,” said Congressman Roger ‘Oging’ Mercado, representative of Southern Leyte’s lone congressional district.
Mercado believes that given the full support as well as holding major sporting activities on a nationwide scale in their area, they can transform the eco-tourism potentials of their town and province to their benefits.
“This is the purpose of my bill, the creation of the Hinunangan Bay Development Authority now pending in the committee level,” said Mercado.
Mercado and Hinunangan Mayor Reynaldo ‘Sonny’ Fernandez both extended their profound gratitude to former Customs district collector and regional director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development David ‘Kuya Boy’ Odilao, Jr. for spearheading the momentous undertakings that enabled them to revisit their storied past.
“For the first time, we have organized the Hinunangan Run and Balik Baroto Regatta in the histotic Hinunangan Bay,” said Mayor Fernandez. “I would like to give special thanks to Kuya Boy (Odilao) for sharing his talent, time and treasure.”
On the other hand, Philippine Sports Commissioner Ramon Fernandez said they will try to include the ‘baroto regatta’ among the sporting activities that will be promoted by the PSC.
For his part, Odilao, the acknowledged ‘Father of Sinulog and BahugBahug sa Mactan’, is at his proudest moment knowing that the significant events he organized showcased the beauty and natural attractions of his beloved hometown.
“If fully developed, our town and province will be transformed into an ‘ecotourism tiger’in the area,” said Odilao. “Just like the Sinulog, Battle of Mactan, Regatta de Zamboanga, Subiran Regatta of Tacbolan, MarajaoKarajao in Surigao, among others, we are optimistic that the Hinunangan Bay Run and Balik Baroto Regatta will become a national and international festivity.”—
EBV