Monday, March 22, 2004
Paraw Regatta Foundation in the works; better events expected
By Kathy Villalon Cinco

TO ensure that Iloilo's primary festival is sustained and improved, the Paraw Regatta Foundation is now being formed and is expected to formally function next year.

Some of the members of the foundation are this year's committee members which were tasked by Mayor Jerry Trenas, through an executive order, to handle Paraw Regatta 2004.

"This is a transition group. The foundation is in the process of incorporation and was formed to ensure the continuity and improvement of the Paraw Regatta," according to Manuel Joseph Barredo, chairman of the Finance Committee.

Starting next year, the schedule of the race will be fixed and will fall on the third Sunday of February.

"February has the best winds," according to Manuel Villa, Jr., Chairman of the Executive Committee. In addition, a fixed date will enable the Department of Tourism, a member of the foundation, to include the festival in its calendar of events to be promoted, he said.

BUDGET

The expected expenses for Paraw Regatta 2004 is P512,000 according to Barredo. Half of the amount will be spent for the prizes while the other half is for the operating expenses. The budget for prizes reach P256,000; special events, 80,000; and Paraw Regatta proper, 140,000.

As of presstime, the city government has pledged P300,000; provincial government, 200,000; and San Miguel Beer, 50,000 as financial support.

Barredo said that the amount is enough to successfully run the festival.

Villa assures the public of a proper accounting of the Paraw Regatta finances and will submit them as soon as they are ready.

Villa revealed that any remaining money from the foundation's funds will be used for the scholarships of the children of the paraw's crew members. "This will be one of the thrusts of the foundation," he said.

PROJECTION

This year, we want to project not only the indigenous seacraft of the Ilonggos, but to highlight the contribution of the paraw in the lifestyle and economy of the region, according to Department of Tourism Region 6 Director Edwin Trompeta.

"The regatta is not only a fishing vessel, but a mode of transport for our brothers in Guimaras. They even use it as a school boat where kids are transported to their school.

It's also the Ilonggos' source of livelihood because it is used for fishing and transporting goods and products from the farm to the market. It also serves as an emergency vehicle. Not only that, it's a recreational vehicle. Going back to our history, it's something our forefathers rode to this island, where freedom and justice have been founded. This is exactly what we would like the paraw to be seen today."

ADDED EXCITEMENT

A new feature of this year's Paraw Regatta is a different kind of Slalom Race that will be held on a Saturday, March 20, according to Trompeta.

"In the previous years, this was done on a Sunday. You can see all the colorful paraws lined up. The scene looks very dramatic, but fleeting. You see them for just 15 minutes, then they're gone. After two hours, you see them arrive one by one. It's anti-climactic.

So, this year's slalom race is going to be more exciting. It will be done right in front of the audience who will have all the time to witness how the paraw is maneuvered. The skills and seamanship of the participants will be witnessed."

The other activities are:

March 19, Pintawo, 10 a.m., SM City, Regatta Model of the Year Pageant, 7 p.m., Robinsons Place Iloilo;

March 20, 8 a.m., Measurement of Paraws, Women's Beach Volleyball (elimination), Pinta Paraw, Slalom Race, Optimist Sailboat Race, Beach Football (elimination); 1 p.m., Angler's Take-off; 4 p.m., Beach Football (finals), all at Tatoy's Manokan;

March 21, 7 a.m., Lechon Parade, Pinta Paraw Judging; 8 a.m., Opening Program, Photo Contest; 9 a.m., Regatta Take-off, Optimist Sailboat Race, Women's Volleyball (finals); 10 a.m., Regatta Model of the Year, Photo Contest; 12 noon, Anglers' arrival; 1 p.m. Awarding, all at Tatoy's Manokan.

On March 26, the judging of the photo contest entries will take place, 3 p.m. at the City Budget Conference Room.