‘Paraw Regatta to go on for more years’

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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Saturday, February 18,  2017
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ILOILO City – Paraw Regatta will continue to be the oldest sailing event in Asia — and more.

This is how Ronald Raymond L. Sebastian, chairman of the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation, Inc., envisions the traditional craft event, now on its 45th year and whose highlights are happening this weekend.

While preparations are quite challenging, the foundation is giving its best.

“Expect that we will improve Paraw Regatta,” said Sebastian. “Indi namon gusto nga 45 years lang ang aton existence. Gusto ta na nga maglab-ot 100 years. We have already been branded the oldest sailing even, and we want to continue to be the oldest sailing event — and more.”

Budget constraints are among the hurdles, he confessed. “Medyo kulang-kulang, but we are doing our best nga maka-igo.”

More than P2 million — P1.6 million from the city government, P300,000 from the Department of Tourism and another P300,000 from the Iloilo provincial government — has been allocated for this year’s edition.

May sponsors, pero ang iban wala pa kaabot,” said Sebastian. “We are trying our best to cooperate and get support from all stakeholders.”

More participants are expected in this year’s main sailing event (last year, there were 67). Today is the deadline for registration, Sebastian said.

According to the race director, there was a “good number” of participants and spectators during the slalom competition on Thursday, and “they are eager to watch the main sailing event,” he said.

This year’s Paraw Regatta featured several side events, including the Seafarers’ Job Fair from Feb. 16 to 17 (12 shipping companies joined) and the Bayluhay Dance Drama (about the history of the race, the Barter of Panay and the history of seafaring in Iloilo) of West Visayas State University.

The exhibition of lighted paraws (outriggers) along the Villa beach is also something to look forward to on Sunday night, Sebastian said. Last year there were six participants; this year the foundation is expecting more than 30.

“Guimaras joined us this year and sent many participants to the lighted paraw,” he said.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez will be a guest during the main sailing event, said Sebastian.

Sebastian said they are also prepared if the Philippine Coast Guard issues a gale warning during the highlights.

“We cannot do anything but postpone or stop the race,” he said. “Definitely ang unahon naton ang safety sang aton nga mga participants.”/PN

 

 

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