Journeys
The journey that is the Iloilo Paraw Regatta
(First of two parts)
The Iloilo Paraw Regatta has gone a long way. As an event initially conceptualized to provide local entertainment to balikbayans (homecoming Filipinos) and dramatize the need for energy conservation some 35 years ago, the Iloilo Paraw Regatta (later called Iloilo-Guimaras Paraw Regatta then Iloilo Paraw Regatta) is in itself a journey of sort. This year's main events are on February 17 (Slalom) and February 18 (Regatta Proper) both at Villa Beach, Iloilo City in front of Tatoy's Manokan and Seafoods.
It's been a long way. It's been a long time. It's been a long journey for this 35 year old Iloilo Paraw Regatta as it counts the years, the changes, the feathers on the cap and a few tears shed. It has seen itself plain in its barest minimum. It has seen entries with unassuming sails of dirty crème, beige and brown used in the fisher folks' every day livelihood fare. The frontline of the event has been manned by robust home grown seafarers who braved the approximate 30 kilometers race course at the Iloilo strait to prove who is who in the pack.
Ah, yes, the Iloilo Paraw Regatta has seen, as the public and enthusiasts alike have, how charcoal-carrying native sailboats or paraw from my home province Guimaras and small-time fishing ones from my adoptive province Iloilo take a leave of absence from their daily routine. Yearly they set aside work for a day or two to see action in this sea classic reputed to be the longest-running in this part of Southeast Asia. Sometimes the humble natives have to rumble it up with visiting challengers from the rest of the Philippines and abroad who come not without fanfare and go home with none.
Of late, the Iloilo Paraw Regatta has undergone transformation notably on the sail department. Gone were the days of drab hues and monotones. This is the era of blazing reds, yellows, blues, greens, violets, oranges and what have you in a collage of exciting scenes and actions with the paraw sails serving as canvas.
(To be continued)