Sailboat enthusiasts urged to join 36th Paraw Regatta
The Department of Tourism (DoT) 6 and the City Tourism Office are now accepting applications for those interested to join the sailboat competition in relation to the 36th Paraw Regatta.
This year's Paraw Regatta is set on February 16th until 17th to be held at shore of Tatoy's Manokan Seafood Restaurant in Villa Beach. The sailboat race itself will have two parts, the slalom and the regatta proper. The regatta is a race among native wind-powered outriggers locally known as paraw.
Other than the DOT regional office and the City Tourism Office, the City Public Information Office is also accepting applications from sailboat enthusiasts.
This year's Paraw Regatta will also feature many side events aside from its main event, which is the sailboat race. There would be a pinta layag (sail painting contest), pintawo, miniature paraw race, angling competition, rowing and paddling, sports events, Samba de Regatta and Miss Paraw Regatta beauty pageant.
The Paraw Regatta is expected to draw more tourists after the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) chose the event as the third best annual tourism event in 2007.
Other than the local boat enthusiasts, foreigners from Boracay as well as those in other parts of world are expected to join the sailboat racing. The sailboat competition is now more than three decades old and has become a well-liked attraction.
Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry Treñas said the city as well as the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation Inc. (IDFI) headed by Mr. Manuel Villa Jr. is now all set for the tourism activity.
The city will release some P600,000 donation to the foundation. The Paraw Regatta is another festival, which the city is promoting as part of its tourism attraction. The foundation, which already takes care of the event, is composed of private and public individuals.