Barotac Viejo Sails on Holds 3rd Open Baroto sa Lutac race
Sailing on the waters of Barotac Viejo
* Barotac Viejo, a 4th-class town, 60.4 kilometers away from Iloilo City traces its history with the town's gifted ship-builders and adventurous seafarers
Iloilo has become an increasingly popular destination for sea races as Ilonggos continue to celebrate tourism events of small sailing vessels that have been growing tremendously during recent years.
Although industries had stained the sparkling waters of Iloilo for years, the Iloilo Provincial Government through its environment office had been taking major efforts to clean up our provincial seas, targeting the polluters. The holding of annual boat races such as the annual long-distance offshore race called Paraw Regatta of the Iloilo Provincial and City Government and the Provincial Government of Guimaras celebrated in February; and Biray Paraw of the Municipality of Leganes observed in June are tourism endeavor that helps preserve Iloilo's coastal resource by informing and educating its people of its value; it helps by encouraging fisher folks to develop their trade and skills, assessing their economic worth in the community, and; it serves as an avenue for tourism promotion.
The race is on
Barotac Viejo, a 4th-class town, 60.4 kilometers away from Iloilo City traces its history with the town's gifted ship-builders and adventurous seafarers. Founded in 1754, the town is the gateway to the northern part of the province where fishing and agriculture are its thriving industries.
Always long on originality, the town's more whimsical attractions include the annual boat race called BAROTO SA LUTAC. It is a race among the crews representing the 26 barangays of the town. Grouped into nine teams, the race begins at San Juan Beach, a private resort located in Barangay San Juan that attracts an approximate of 20,000 local and foreign tourists annually.
The rules limit the crews to use "tagduhaan" boats where it can only accommodate two persons. The boat race is usually held over a closed course marked by buoys. The size and shape of the course vary according to the body of water on which the race takes place. Closed-course races normally range in distance from 4.8 to 16 kilometers. Speed tests also take the form of races run against the clock over a straight kilometer course. The course of the race is over an outline of floating bouys. The boat race is divided into two categories: (a) De Layag or boats with sail, and; (b) De Bugsay or those using paddles.
Now on its 3rd year, the event is organize by the Local Government Unit of Barotac Viejo headed by their very dynamic municipal mayor, Hon. RAUL C. TUPAS, the Municipal Tourism, Culture and the Arts Council and the LIGA Ng Mga Barangay. BAROTO SA LUTAC kicks off in the morning of June 27, 2007 as a special event incorporated with the town's annual celebration of its municipal and religious fiesta celebration on June 25 to 29, 2007.