ILOILO CITY, Feb. 16 (PNA) -- The two-day highlights of the 41st Iloilo Paraw Festival kicked off Saturday with more than 50 sailboats parading at the stretch of Villa Beach in Arevalo this city for the Slalom Race.
Slalom served as an added attraction to the main highlight on Sunday that would showcase sailboats racing in the more than 28-kilometer stretch of the Iloilo to Guimaras Strait.
It was aimed at enhancing the seamanship of the crew in handling and maneuvering the ‘Paraw’ under all wind conditions in a preset race course.
Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog and Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation Inc. (IPRFI) chairman Manny Villa Jr. are expecting that this year’s sailing event would be more successful.
Paraw Regatta has become a symbol of Iloilo City even as the P450-million Iloilo Convention Center project architecture will incorporate in its design the sails of native outrigger boat showcasing the oldest sailing event in Asia, stressed Mabilog.
He also credited Villa for being instrumental in tourism and cultural promotions through the Paraw Regatta festival as well as in restoration of heritage buildings in Calle Real.
The City Hall extended P1.6-million budget while the Office of Cong. Jerry P. TreƱas gave P300,000 cash assistance.
Paraw Regatta is touted as largest and longest-running traditional sailing event in Asia where colorful native outrigger boats navigate at least 20-kilometer race route in Iloilo Strait between the city and Guimaras Island.
Themed “Ilonggo Sailing Heritage: Vibrant & Strong!” the 2013 edition also featured special events including mini-paraw beach race, Miss Iloilo Paraw Regatta pageant, variety show, miniature paraw sail-painting contest, photo exhibit, miniature paraw-making contest, seafood cooking competition, rowing and paddling, seafood festival, photo contest and torch parade.
Also Sinamba sa Paraw Regatta mardi gras competition, deep-sea fishing competition, skimboarding competition, jet ski competition, Paraw Slalom short distance race, rapid chess tournament, national Frisbee exhibition games, national invitational womens volleyball, beach concert and party, fireworks display, paraw sail-painting contest, and body painting contest.
From the Philippine News Agency. Photos from Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival on Facebook