Paraw Regatta scrapped due to budget, pandemic

Paraw Regatta is a race of wind-propelled native boats called paraw. It is considered the oldest sailing event in Asia and the largest in the country. The paraw is a small boat with two stabilizers and was widely used for travel and trade during ancient times. Up to this day, it is still being used as a means of transport as well a source of livelihood. PN FILE PHOTO
Paraw Regatta is a race of wind-propelled native boats called paraw. It is considered the oldest sailing event in Asia and the largest in the country. The paraw is a small boat with two stabilizers and was widely used for travel and trade during ancient times. Up to this day, it is still being used as a means of transport as well a source of livelihood. PN FILE PHOTO

ILOILO City – There will be no Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival this year.

According to Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival, Inc. chairman Vincent Tajanlangit, there are budgetary and time constraints.

Paraw Regatta is a race of wind-propelled native boats called paraw. It is considered the oldest sailing event in Asia and the largest in the country.

Mayor Jerry Treñas agreed with the decision to cancels the regatta, said Tajanlangit.

He also cited the lingering threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the difficulty of enforcing the health protocols such as physical distancing.

But the regatta’s 2023 edition, Treñas said, should push through.

Next year would be the 50th anniversary of Paraw Regatta.

“Preparahan ta gid,” said Treñas.

This is the second straight year that Paraw Regatta won’t be staged.

The pre-pandemic, Paraw Regatta is usually held every third Sunday of February annually.

It was established primarily to preserve the paraw as a significant link to the earliest period of Ilonggo history.

The paraw is a small boat with two stabilizers and was widely used for travel and trade during ancient times. Up to this day, it is still being used as a means of transport as well a source of livelihood.

A strikingly fast boat, the paraw makes 20 kph to 30 kph through the waves. It was the prototype that inspired Westerners to develop the trimaran, the fastest sailboats now on the planet./PN

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