By Mary Joy Cavañas
The celebration of 52nd Iloilo-Guimaras Paraw Regatta Festival successfully paved its way in 2025.
With the theme “Sailing Blue Waters on this Green Earth”, the event featured sports and cultural events from February 28 to March 2, emphasizing environmental conservation and cultural preservation.
This year’s festival highlighted Iloilo’s vibrant culture with events like Sinamba sa Paraw Regatta, Pinta Tawo, Paraw Lechon Contest, and the Paraw Main Race.
The week-long event was also composed of various activities such as Pinta Layag, Volleyball Tournaments, Aquathlon, HIIT IT, Slalom Race, Clean-up Drive, Lighted Paraw, and Fireworks Display.
During one of the festival’s events, Sinamba sa Paraw Regatta on March 1, Grupo Ilonggo De Saltatores of Jalandoni Memorial National High School was hailed as this year’s champion while Grupo del Oeste of West Visayas State University PESCAR bagged the first place, and Grupo Bailarines del Manduryaw of Mandurriao National High School got the second place.
On March 2, The Paraw Main Race Competition, was joined by 44 vibrant paraws and sailed a 30-kilometer route from Arevalo’s coast to Guimaras and back.
The main race had three categories:
* Category A – 17 participants (boats 24-25 feet)
* Category B – 17 participants (boats 29-30 feet)
* Category C – 10 participants (boats 38-40 feet)
Additionally, the Paraw Main Race Winners for the different categories are the following:
Category A:
* Champion: Boat LD
* 1st Runner-Up: Boat RHEDA JET
* 2nd Runner-Up: Boat KOKOY
Category B:
* Champion: Boat MAPHINE JANE
* 1st Runner-Up: Boat KISS
* 2nd Runner-Up: Boat DEDING
Category C:
* Champion: Boat MARJONEC
* 1st Runner-Up: Boat VAUGHN
* 2nd Runner-Up: Boat GOOD SHOT BABY
At the opening ceremony, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas highlighted Paraw Regatta’s strong community spirit just like other festivals, saying it reflects a lasting commitment to tradition and its evolution over time.
Meanwhile, Treñas also announced that Paraw Regatta Festival will be representing Iloilo at the Aliwan Fiesta 2026.
