Paraw Regatta
Historic
The Iloilo Paraw Regatta is the oldest traditional craft event in Asia, and the
largest sailing event in the [Link] was held in 3rd weekend of February in
the Villa de Arevalo district, Iloilo City. The first race started in 1973 with the mission to
preserve the heritage value of the paraws. Once upon a time, sailing in and around
Panay turned into carried out through a local outrigger called paraw. The paraw is a
small sailboat with two stabilizers and, in line with history, turned into broadly used for
travel and exchange by the forefathers in 1200s. So when the branch of Tourism area 6
released the Paraw Regatta festival four decades ago, it turned into to increase the
tourism industry in Iloilo and to keep the paraw as a widespread link to the earliest
duration of Ilonggo history. however greater than simply celebrating the Ilonggo
seamanship and craftsmanship, the festival also reminds us of our valuable heritage. it
is the history that embodies the fortitude and backbone of the Ilonggo to overcome
adversity and the braveness to be successful in opposition to all odds.
Economic
The Paraw Regatta enhances the reputation of Iloilo City as a tourism destination. So
the Tourism can help in the economic upliftment of Iloilo the reason the city has
supported all efforts to promote Iloilo as tourism destination. According to City Tourism
and Development Office (CTDO, 2017) the number of domestic and foreign tourists that
visited this city last year surpassed the one million people, data from the showed. Mayor
Jose Espinosa III said that the increase in tourist arrivals meant Iloilo City was
becoming a favorite tourism destination. “We are glad that Iloilo City is being recognized
across the globe. Rest assured that the city government will not rest in sustaining this
development. We will likewise ensure that with the help of our police personnel, visitors
are safe,” said Espinosa. And lastly Iloilo Paraw Regatta has just concluded, but the
foundation handling the staging of the annual event is now looking forward to tapping
foreign groups as sponsors for an even grander celebration next year. And seeks
foreign sponsors like Americas Cups, Emirates, Gul Code Zero.
Socio Cultural and Religious
The Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival is a weeklong celebration with different kinds of
activities such as cultural shows, paraw-making, paraw race, slalom competition, photo
exhibit and contests, fishing tournaments, water sports, beauty pageant and etc. Many
participants are expected to join in making the event more colorful and exciting. The
festival also aims to give tribute to the Ilonggo seafaring traditions. And as Ilonggos take
pride of their history and culture, so do the sailors and the boat makers who have
inherited a legacy that became synonymous to the birth of a province and the
Hiligaynon-speaking region of the country. Our country has a proud and great seafaring
history stretching to over thousands of years ago. It had long been a seafaring nation.
Early Filipino inhabitants came from across the seas in frail boats. For centuries,
seafaring natives living along the coastal areas of the country have sailed across the
unexplored waters of the surrounding seas. The Filipino seafarers engaged in a very
active trade and made regular journeys to neighboring countries in Southeast Asia and
the Far East. When the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines, they found the early ships
of the Filipinos to be of excellent quality. This is mainly due to the abundance of thick
forests in the area that is teeming with first class hardwoods matched with the artistry
and skill of the natives, specifically of the people from the Visayans that were known for
their native sailing techniques. The paraw is attributed to the Visayans region. It is made
up of a bangka (canoe without outriggers) a Katie (outriggers) and a layag (sail). It was
said that when the Borneans sailed to the country and landed at the mouth of the
Siwaragan River in historic San Joaquin, they used big sailboats that resembled like
paras. It was used for cargo, raiding purposes and significant in spreading settlements
of people around the Philippines and neighboring regions.
SHARMAINE SARMIENTO HUMSS 12 E
