Paraw Regatta set Feb. 13-22
Iloilo City’s Paraw Regatta festival, touted as Asia’s oldest water sports, will celebrate its 39th year on February 13 to 22 next year.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation, Inc. (IPRFI) Chairperson Manuel Villa Jr., yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement at the City Hall for the management of the festival.
Mabilog expressed pride in the festival that has earned the city recognitions, particularly from the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines which named Paraw Regatta as 2009’s Best Sports Tourism event.
He said the city government is committed to give P1 million worth of prizes and food during the festival.
IPRFI is targeting to raise P2.2 million in order to run the week-long event.
This year’s theme “Philippine Seafaring Tradition Goes Worldwide” manifests the extensive reach of the festival, especially in showing the well-known maritime skills of the Ilonggos around the globe.
To show its universal appeal, foreign visitors and participants are expected in the festival next year, Villa said.
He said they are also trying to get a Norwegian official to grace the highlight on February 20.
Contestants from Australia may also join the event, he added.
During the 38th edition of the festival, European tourists, alongside local spectators, flocked to Villa beach here where the race and other special events were held.
The Paraw Regatta is a race among seafarers on colorful sailboats called paraws (native outriggers).
Participants on-board the paraw traverse the strait between Iloilo City and Guimaras Island.
The 36.5-kilometer race starts from Tatoy’s Manokan in Villa, all the way to Sto. Rosario, Buenavista, Guimaras and back to their point of origin.*
