Events ongoing through March

By Paulo Loreto Lim

The ongoing Paraw Regatta Festival is scheduled to run through March 3. Festival highlights, the sailing events, however, are scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 17.

Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation, Inc. (IPRFI) president, Dr. Ronald Raymond Lacson Sebastian, recently emphasized a rebranding of the annual event, where more emphasis will be placed on promoting Ilonggo culture and heritage.

While the miniature paraw-making contest and paraw-inspired furniture exhibit opened at the Jordan Wharf in Guimaras yesterday, February 5, opening rites are scheduled for Friday, February 9, at the Puyo Wharf in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, where a Sinamba performance will take place.

This year’s Sinamba Sa Regatta is scheduled to take place on February 16 at the Shops at Atria Park District, located along the Iloilo River Esplanade.

Among other events scheduled to take place prior to the main sailing events include a miniature paraw race and the Miss Paraw Regatta pageant.

In terms of the main sailing events, the event kicks off at 7:00 a.m. at Villa Beach, located in the Arevalo district of Iloilo City. The day concludes at 7:00 p.m., where a battle of bands will take place, along with a lighted paraw display.

A coastal clean-up and photo exhibit will take place after the highlight events.

Last December, the Iloilo City government signed a memorandum of agreement with IPRFI, where the event’s logo and mascot, Burong, were presented; along with IPRFI declaring its partnership with Guimaras, which comprises part of the course.

The paraw is based on the vessels used by the first settlers of Borneo, which later became a regular part of the Filipino seafaring culture. The first race featuring the colorful sailboats took place in 1973./PLL, WDJ