Dragon boat race, anyone?
Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director Edwin Trompeta dreams of having a dragon boat competition in the city apart from the yearly Dinagyang festival to encourage more tourist arrivals from the neighboring Asian countries.
Trompeta said there are lots of dragon boat enthusiasts in countries like Hongkong and Malaysia. There is also a group of foreigners in Boracay that is into dragon boat racing.
A dragon boat is a very long and narrow human powered boat used in team paddling. It originated in China. For racing events, dragon boats are always rigged with decorative Chinese dragonheads and tails. They are also required to carry a large drum aboard.
Trompeta said the dragon boat competition could be made a separate festival other than the Dinagyang festival. The festival is already an event to be watched not only in the country but also internationally. The Dinagyang has already its own crowd, he said.
Trompeta said the Iloilo River – from Gaisano City to Molo area – could be used as venue for the dragon boat competition.
Trompeta, however, said his vision would only be materialized if the target of Mayor Jerry Treñas to link the bridge from Gaisano until Carpenters Bridge in Molo were implemented. "It would be a most beautiful sight to see."
The chief executives' vision for the major infrastructure in Iloilo specifically linking the bridges from Molo to Lapaz district comes in two to three years time, said Trompeta.