The Paraw Regatta Festival, established in 1973 to honor the historical significance of “paraws”—double outrigger sailboats—has become a lasting celebration of Ilonggo artistry and maritime traditions.
Over the years, the Iloilo-Guimaras strait has witnessed the festival’s evolution from a tribute to the region’s seafaring history to one of the country’s largest tourism events. The festival highlights Iloilo’s vibrant culture, culinary excellence and environmental awareness, creating economic opportunities and promoting conservation.
This year, the 52nd Iloilo-Guimaras Paraw Regatta Festival, themed “Sailing Blue Waters on This Green Earth,” celebrated Iloilo’s maritime heritage and promoted environmental sustainability.
The festival featured a fusion of Ilonggo artistry and unity. Events included Pinta Layag (sail painting), Pinta Tawo (body painting), an aquathlon, a lechon (roast pig) contest and Sinamba sa Regatta, a dance and music competition.
Forty-four paraws from across Western Visayas competed in the main race March 2. The race, the festival’s highlight, started off the shoreline of Arevalo district and covered nearly 30 kilometers to Guimaras and back.
The Sinamba sa Regatta, held the night of March 1, featured performances blending the city’s history with dance and music, celebrating inclusivity.
Grupo Ilonggo de Saltatores from Jalandoni Memorial National High School won the Sinamba sa Regatta 2025 and will represent Iloilo City at the 2026 Aliwan Fiesta, which was postponed this year due to midterm elections.
The Paraw Lechon Contest showcased Iloilo’s culinary excellence, with free samples of Arevalo’s lechon. Six establishments participated. Angel Mae’s lechon won, followed by Rayray Lechon and Sario’s Lechon.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, in a message, recalled the festival’s humble beginnings as a half-day sailboat race. He said it is now the largest traditional boat sailing event in the country and the oldest in Asia.
Treñas emphasized the festival’s role in preserving culture, fostering community involvement and promoting sustainability.
“This commitment must continue. We must come together as one Ilonggo community to ensure the celebration of our shared history goes on,” he said. “This year’s celebration, themed ‘Sailing Blue Waters on this Green Earth,’ also reminds us of the need to care for our natural resources. We must balance our quest for progress and development with the need to protect and preserve our home – the planet Earth.” (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)
