Iloilo’s Colorful Paraw Regatta Sailing Festival Is Happening This February—Here’s Everything You Should Know

The Iloilo Paraw Regatta festival will officially open at 9:00 AM on February 25 at Tatoy's Poolside Resort at Villa Beach in Arevalo district, after a Holy Mass at Arevalo Parish. This reflects the Ilonggos' devotion to their faith.

The main highlight of the Paraw Regatta festival is the Paraw race on March 3. The colorful outrigger boats will race along the 30-kilometer stretch of Iloilo Strait. The race will start at Villa Beach in the Arevalo district of the city, go to Guimaras Island, and then go back to the starting point.

At least 50 paraws from different parts of the region, including Boracay in Aklan and Guimaras Island, and some towns in Iloilo, are expected to join the race at this sailing event in Iloilo. Registration for the race is ongoing until February 23.

On February 29, in addition to the primary race, a slalom race competition with a shorter course will be held.

This year's Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival will be full of colors, too, as local artists will also get the chance to showcase their painting prowess, but on a giant canvas. Dubbed Pinta Layag, artists will turn the sails as their canvas. The competition will begin on February 26 and run until March 2, just before the primary race. Locals and visitors can witness the competition at the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Arevalo Campus.

Besides the sails, another painting competition showcasing the Ilonggos' creativity is the Pinta Tawo, a body painting contest on March 3.

Meanwhile, Festive Wall Mall mallgoers will also witness the showcase of colorful paraws during the opening of the Pinta Regatta Contest on February 27. The activity will be held at the mall's Garden Atrium.

The Paraw Regatta festival is not only a showcase of paraws, but also of lechon (roasted pig). Arevalo district, where the festival will happen, is known to have the best lechon in the city. At least ten establishments are expected to showcase their products during the Paraw Lechon Contest during the primary sailing event on March 3. Local Ilonggo chefs will judge the best-tasting lechon and the one with the best presentation. After the judging, the public will taste the lechon products for free.

In addition to lechon, festival-goers can enjoy a gastronomic feast of Ilonggos dishes during a three-day food fest that will open on February 29.

With most of the events happening along Villa Beach, spectators of Paraw Regatta can also witness and even join several sports events. A series of sports events are happening in March, starting with the Paraw Duathlon. A Paraw HIIT competition will follow it. Athletes will compete in a series of HIIT or high-intensity interval training workouts. Festival guests can also enjoy other beach sports, such as volleyball and frisbee, at the festival. Athletes will also showcase their best figures during the Paraw Beach Bodies on March 3.

Part of the Iloilo Paraw Regatta festival, too, is the Sinamba sa Regatta. It is a mardi-gras-like competition wherein participants wear costumes and showcase their ecstatic dance moves. The Sinamba sa Regaata on March 2 will begin at the Hall of Justice along Bonifacio Drive to Iloilo Freedom Grandstand along Muelle Loney Street.

Meanwhile, besides the festivities, Ilonggos will also get the opportunity to score a new job during the Paraw Regatta Job Fair on February 28. The venue is still set to be arranged.

The Paraw Regatta festival is also ending with spectacular shows. The awarding ceremony will start at sunset, followed by a fireworks display. Colorful lighted paraws will also be the main attraction during the closing ceremony. The winners of the Paraw Photo Contest will also be announced during the closing event.

Visit Yoorekka for more exciting festivals and events in the country this February!