ILOILO CITY (PIA) – The Iloilo River Dragon Boat Festival (IRDBF) has returned with a triumphant splash, drawing crowds with its blend of cultural celebration, environmental advocacy, and community spirit.
The festival, held on the iconic Iloilo River from November 22-24, 2024, attracted national attention with over 500 paddlers from across the country participating. The event served as a boost for local tourism, promoting sportsmanship and camaraderie while showcasing the vibrant culture of the region.
Eleven teams coming from Iloilo, Aklan (Boracay), Cebu, Bohol, and Manila participated in the competition that tested their strength, speed, and teamwork as the race featured four categories, namely Premier Open (22 paddlers), Premier Mixed (22 paddlers), Premier Women (12 paddlers), and Senior Mixed A (12 paddlers).
The race tested not only the endurance of the paddlers but also the coordination and strategies of each team as Bomba Pilipinas emerged as champion for the Senior Mixed category; while the Iloilo Paddlers Club Inc. came up on top of the Women’s Small Boat category; and Boracay All Stars paddled its way to victory of both the Mixed Standard Boat and Open Standard Boat categories.
The other winners in every race category include Iloilo Paddlers Club (1st runner up), Bruins Racers of High Seas (2nd runner up), and PADS Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team (3rd runner up) for Senior Mixed category; PADS Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team (1st runner up), Boracay Dragon Force (2nd runner up), and Bomba Pilipinas (3rd runner up) for Women Small Boat; Bomba Pilipinas (1st runner up), PADS (2nd runner up), and AmPPhi x Manila Klasiko Dragon Boat Team (3rd runner up) for Mixed Standard Boat category; PADS (1st runner up), Boracay Dragon Force (2nd runner up), and Cebu Pink Paddlers (3rd runner up for Open Standard Boat category.
The Iloilo River Dragon Boat Festival (IRDBF) has not only brought back the thrill of competition but also served as a platform to celebrate the city’s rich cultural heritage, promote sustainable development, and foster a sense of community.
Iloilo City acting mayor Jeffrey Ganzon highlighted the event’s focus on sportsmanship, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship. “The festival aims to promote sportsmanship among individuals, honor the cultural heritage of the river, and advance sustainable development and river rehabilitation,” he said.
Allan Ryan Tan, President of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI), echoed the mayor’s sentiments, emphasizing the festival’s embodiment of unity and commitment to eco-tourism and river preservation.
“The Iloilo Dragon Boat Festival embodies the spirit of unity, the city’s commitment to eco-tourism and river preservation, highlighting the Iloilo River as a vital cultural treasure,” he stated.
The successful comeback of the IRDBF, organized by the IFFI and the Iloilo City government, co-presented by the Double Dragon Corp., serves as a testament to the resilience and spirit of the Ilonggo community.
The thrilling races, cultural displays, and environmental advocacies showcased the city’s dedication to cultural and sporting excellence, reaffirming Iloilo’s position as a vibrant hub of activity and progress. (AAL/PIA Iloilo)
