‘Balik Baroto Regatta’ to spice up Sinulog festivities anew

CEBU, Philippines – For the second straight year, a 'baroto' or boat race featuring some of Cebu's marginalized fisherfolks will spice up the Sinulog festivities this weekend.

Billed as the 'Sinulog 2016 Balik Baroto Regatta', the one-of-a-kind event will commence right after the fluvial procession of the miraculous Señor Sto. Niño this Saturday morning, starting and ending at the shores of Baywalk near the Cebu City Senior Citizen's Park.

The annual undertaking is spearheaded by the Balik Baroto Movement of former Customs District collector David "Kuya Boy" S. Odilao, Jr. in partnership with the Bisdak Group (Hugpong sa mga Bisaya alang sa Kauswagan ug Kaangayan, Inc.), of which he is also the founding chairman, the city government of Cebu, the Sinulog Foundation and Cebu Holdings, Inc.

It is held in cooperation with Mayors Democrito 'Aljun' Diamante, Jr. of Tuburan, who is also the president of the League of Municipalities in the Philippines-Cebu Chapter, Butch Sepulveda of Borbon and Edsel Galeos of Argao.

"Akong gi-awhag ang tanan sa pagsuporta ning atong kalihukan kay sa gika-ingon ko na, sa karaan pa, baroto ug layag ra ta," said Odilao, the revered 'Father of Sinulog' having started what is now considered as the country's mother of all festivals on January 17, 1980.

Odilao said a total of 33 entries from Talisay, Borbon, Tuburan and Argao gave already confirmed their participation in the race that offers over P200,000 in cash prize to the winners.

The champion will take home P50,000, while the second to fourth will pocket P40,000, P30,000, P20,000 and P10,000, respectively. The fifth to 10th will receive P5,000 each, while all the finishers are assured of a P2,000.

To further highlight the affair, Odilao said they will be holding a photo contest. The champion will pocket P20,000, while the second to fifth will receive P15,000, P10,000, P5,000 and P3,000. Those who wish to join must take note that all entries must be published in any local dailies. — EBV (FREEMAN)