ILOILO City – Forty-one wind-powered paraws (native outrigger boats) cut across the Iloilo Strait in a grueling 26-kilometer main race, capping the 53rd Paraw Regatta Festival and reaffirming the event’s stature as Asia’s oldest traditional sailing competition and a defining symbol of Ilonggo maritime heritage.
The weeklong festival reached its climax as traditional double-outrigger sailboats — propelled solely by wind and steered by seasoned boatmen — competed in three categories based on length: 17 entries in Category A (25 feet), 17 in Category B (30 feet), and six in Category C (40 feet). Each vessel embodied generations of seafaring craftsmanship rooted in Iloilo’s fishing communities.
Beyond the centerpiece race, the festival transformed the city’s shoreline into a cultural showcase of dance, cuisine, and visual arts.
A highlight was the Sinamba sa Regatta street dance competition, inspired by the rhythm of the sea and the stories of Ilonggo seafarers. Grupo Ilonggo De Saltatores dominated the field, clinching the grand championship along with Best in Streetdance, Best in Performance, Best in Choreography, and Best Choreographer honors.
Grupo na Sidlangan secured first runner-up and multiple awards for music and costume design, while Sentenilas Do Jaro placed second runner-up and won Best in Production Design.
Culinary artistry also took center stage through the Lechon Festival, where 10 establishments competed in a roast pig showdown that highlighted Iloilo’s distinction as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. After judging, the public joined a free tasting, turning the competition into a shared celebration of local flavors.
Visual creativity flourished in competitions such as Pinta sa Regatta, Pinta sa Paraw, and Pinta Tawo, with artists transforming canvases, boats, and even human bodies into vibrant expressions of Ilonggo identity. Coastal games and paraw sports further reinforced the festival’s deep connection to the sea.
The success of the 2026 edition was credited to the joint efforts of the Iloilo City Government, the Paraw Regatta Foundation, Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc., the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Iloilo, and JCI Iloilo.
Now in its 53rd year, the Paraw Regatta Festival remains more than a race — it is a living tribute to Iloilo’s maritime roots and a testament to a community that continues to let its sails tell stories of resilience, artistry, and pride./PN