TACLOBAN CITY - Forty-seven boatmen from nearby coastal towns of Leyte and Samar have joined yesterday's exciting race of native outrigger sailboats - the Subiran Regatta.
In it's 31st year, the competition has evolved to be a more attractive water sports to both local and foreign tourist who want to witness the race which is done without using a paddle but only skills and technique to maneuver the sail.
The competition gives the general public an opportunity to watch on how the fishermen exhibited their mastery and skills in maneuvering their attractive and colorful Subiran craft in sailing and steering them along Cancabato Bay through sailboat racing and ending at the finish line at the Family Park in Magsaysay Boulevard, this city.
This year's champion, Crispo Sumalinog, 47 years old of Brgy. Visoria, Carigara, Leyte, said that he is very happy to win the prize as well as be part of one of the region's tourist attraction being held on the 28th day of June.
Sumalinog has traversed 8 nautical miles for one hour and 25 minutes passing through three stations of Cancabato Bay just overlooking the city's Balyuan Park, which is often the venue of cultural shows and sporting events.
"Participants from our barangays have been preparing for this event for two months. We always look forward for the race," said Sumalinog in a native dialect. Nine fishermen from West Visoria village joined the event.
Wearing his big smile, Sumalinog who provides his family needs through fishing, said that he would bring home money for school fees. He has six children and three of them are currently studying college. He was just 27 when he first engaged in Subiran Regatta. His winning thrice from 2003 to 2005 inspired him to consistently join the region's known water sports.
Last year's champion, Jovito Mutya, 62, also from West Visoria village, however, did not make it to the top five finishers in the race, but for him he doesn't want to pass a year without competing. He might not be after the prize but he's satisfied to see people cheered as they come and see the sailboats. Mutya has been part of the race since 1991.
An amount P15,000 was received by the champion; P10,000 for the 2nd placer; P5,000 for the 3nd placer and P1,000 for the 4th placer. All other participants got P500 as a reward for making it to the race.
Winners of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th places were Rodrigo Ariate of Brgy. West Visoria, Mateo Arcosiba from the same village and Romeo Jaca of Brgy. San Jose, Tacloban City.
Subiran Regatta Chairperson Karina Rosa Tiopes, regional director of Department of Tourism, said in an interview that this water sports has been drawing people from Eastern Visayas, from outside the region and even some foreigners.
Volunteers for the Visayas composed of American nationals also documented the event to show to their families and friends back home the event.
"Aside from showing their skills, this is to remember Eastern Visayas people of our beginning. This is to look to the past that our forefathers who came here and they're great boatmen," Tiopes said.
Lt. Commander Nicodemo Navarro, commanding officer of Philippine Navy Tacloban Naval Station, said that sea lanes between Samar and Leyte islands is ideal for sail boating because of easterly winds.
Isagani Granali, one judges of the water sports, said that though Cancabato Bay is ideal for sail boating, it is the skill of the boatmen that would help them traverse the bay faster than their opponents.
Subiran Regatta is an indigenous marine sports among the Eastern Visayan fisherfolks who usually uses the subiran, a native sailboat with outriggers, in small scale fishing.
