ILOILO – This family’s passion for paraw goes deep.
Let’s walk through the life of the Demetillo family from Barangay Camangay in Leganes whose interest and love for paraw sailing and building sailboats or motorbancas go way back nearly half a century ago.
According to Johnny Demetillo, 36, their grandfather, the late Loreto Demetillo, influenced his father Wennie and uncles Orlando and Romeo to continue his legacy of paraw sailing and building sailboats.
The Demetillo patriarch started joining the Iloilo Paraw Regatta (now Iloilo-Guimaras Paraw Regatta Festival) in 1972. That time, the race did not have categories like the recent competitions.
“Pirmi man si lolo nagadaog sang una. Daku kag gamay nga mga paraw ‘ya sang una nagapaindis-indis, wala category, indi pareho subong,” Johnny shared to Panay News.
Fast forward, Orlando, now a senior citizen, who joined his father’s races in the early years, made a name in the history of Paraw Regatta. He was able to bring home more than 30 championships and runners-up awards in the yearly regatta, with his paraw named “Arlyn”.
The last time he bagged the championship was in 2018 for Category A.
Orlando, during his years in the races, was joined by his son Karl and younger brother Winnie.
Winnie, now 53, also made a name in the sailing competition for winning several championships and second places, at least, with his paraw named “LD”.
In fact, “LD” is the current defending champion, having won the 2019 race (the 2020 regatta did not push through due to the coronavirus pandemic).
According to Johnny, he and his brothers and cousins were the backbone of his father, whom they called the “captain of the ship”.
Last year and this year, due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, there were no actual race.
Notably, the Demetillo brothers are also the builders of their own paraws and other competing paraws.
Johnny shared that it was his father who built Piranha 1 and 3, Denden and Ken, and Two Angels, among others, which are also clinching places every paraw race.
His other uncle, Romeo, was also a builder of some competing paraws before.
“Halin sang gamay, amo ‘ni ila natuboan nga obra halin sa tatay nila kag interesado gid sila ‘ya eh. Kay kon indi ‘ni sila interesado, waay man ‘na, pareho sang mga utod nila nga iban indi interesado,”said Johnny.
Born and raised by the sea, the Demetillo siblings are fishermen. Their expertise in manning the paraw was sharpened by time.
“Amo ‘na nga nag-intra sila sa Paraw kay sang una, ang ginagamit de layag lang halin sa kalolohan namon. Waay sang motor,” Johnny recalled.
The Demetillo brothers are considered by competitors as stiff opponents in paraw sailing.
Johnny recalled that Orlando and Wennie used to compete in Boracay in Malay, Aklan before and won for three consecutive years, sidelining the locals there. Then they were not invited to compete anymore.
Aside from Paraw Regatta, the Demetillos have also entries in the yearly Biray Paraw race of Leganes.
Johnny himself, together with his brothers and cousins, vowed to continue the legacy of his forefathers, father and uncles in this particular industry.
While they’re saddened that there’s no actual race this year, Johnny hopes the pandemic will eventually end and the traditional paraw race can sail off Iloilo Strait again.
For now, the family is focused on building motorbancas – their livelihood. Their craftsmanship in building boats are known far and wide – here in Iloilo province, Guimaras, and even in Negros Occidental.
Johnny is also a member of Bantay Dagat in Leganes town.
Indeed, the Demetillo men of Leganes may be ordinary fishermen during ordinary days but they are “kings” of paraw sailing./PN
