National bangkarera held in Palawan
MANILA, Philippines - A team of boat competitors from Boracay took top honors in the recently concluded National Bangkarera Competition staged in one of the world’s best islands, Palawan.
The first Pioneer National Bangkarera was held last July 15 and 16 at the Baywalk area in Puerto Princesa, through the initiative of Republic Chemical Industries Inc. (RCI).
Alben Manuel, RCI group product manager, said the boat race aims to promote camaraderie among the community, fishermen and boat racing enthusiasts.
Manuel said the company has been eager to hold the boat racing for a time and decided to choose Palawan for their first sponsored event as it is one of the safest waterfronts during the rainy season.
He added that the event went “a lot better” than expected as participants doubled in number from what they anticipated.
“When I drew up the budget, it was only for 50 participants. We ended up with 104. This was a good problem to have,” he said.
Rey Isiderio, 34, won the event’s grand prize of P110,000 for the 16-horsepower segment.
Team Boracay poses with their winnings after the 1st Pioneer National Bangkarera Competition held in Puerto Princesa last July 15 and 16.
Isiderio, a fisherman, has been active in the competitive boat racing scene in the country for about 15 years. He admitted that his championship trophies are too many to count, a feat for somebody who makes an average of P300 per day from fishing.
“Hilig ko ’to. Kahit matalo kami, pupunta pa rin kami makasali lang sa competition,” Isiderio said.
His Boracay group, with boats owned by Nathan Sualog, also won the first and third places for the seven-horsepower segment.
Other winning boat operators were Wesley Noel from Cebu and Roselio Amador from Palawan for the seven-horsepower segment; and Anna Liza Camon from Pulupandan, Negros Occidental for the 16-horsepower event.
The winning boat owners for the paddleboat racing segment were Aiza Corpuz in first place, Samuel Basing and Adelo Antipuesto in second and third places, respectively.
Bangka racing reportedly originated from Muslim tribes in Southern Mindanao and had a following from fisherfolk from various provinces in the country.
The bangka “formula one” racing event, also known as the “Bangkarera” or “Bangkathon,” has been staged at least once a year in various places in the Philippines after it took off commercially in 2004.
