Villa beach lives again

By Wein P. Gadian

Iloilo City's Villa Rica de Arevalo, wherein the different Villa beach resorts can be found, is a district rich in history and culture. It was once the seat of Spanish power. It is also the local 'powehouse' of flowers. It has beaches, gardens, seafoods, and a cutflower industry.

With these, the Santo Niño Sur Hotels and Resto Association is breathing life again into the famed Villa Beach area.

The newly formed group divided the whole strip of Villa beach into Pier Uno, Pier Dos and Pier Tres, just like Boracay. They also organized a week long festival called 'Wow Villa Beach' La Villa Rica de Arevalo, Seafood Country!'

It will showcase the best of Villa Rica de Arevalo. There will be games, water sports (jetski, mini paraw race, etc.), beach volleyball and football, trade fairs, fireworks display, garden shows, porma balas and many more.

A new sport will also be introduced, it's called 'Kapay-kapay sa baybay,' which is actually swimming with a different twist-that is with the use of a bamboo pole.

Local Bands will also be performing to spice things up a bit.

A variety of activities have been lined up for everybody: day 1 (May 22) will be the clean –up drive of the whole beach. On May 23, Motorcade (9am), Beach Volleyball at Villa Regatta area (2pm) and the Junior Basketball League (May 23- 27, Sto. Niño Sur Gym). Beach Football at Breakthrough (9am), Mini Paraw Race at Tatoy's (3pm). May 25 will be the Porma Balas (8am). The Kapay-Kapay sa Baybay (8am), May 26. A Rock Climbing at the façade of Villa Bora on May 27 (9am). On May 28, there will be Power Banka Race (10am). The Iloilo Watersports Association will conduct a Jetski clinic at Villa Bora (8am). It will be followed by the Jetski competition (10am) on May 29. The Seafood Festival on May 28 – 29 at 7pm featuring the best of Villa Beach.

Join the fun and party at Villa beach!