‘Baroto’ race to spice up Talisay Landing celebration tomorrow

CEBU, Philippines - A unique race featuring sailboats maneuvered by fishermen from different municipalities of Cebu Province will spice up the 69th Anniversary Celebration of the historic Landing of the American Liberation Forces in Talisay City tomorrow.

Billed as 'Balik Baroto ug Layag Na Ta", the ingenious competition was conceived by the Organizing Committee headed by Dir. David "Kuya Boy" S. Odilao, Jr. to acknowledge the efforts, sacrifices, skills and capabilities of marginal Cebuano fishermen while traversing the seas using their 'Barotos' and 'Layag' as a means of transportation.

Odilao is assisted by Capitol Consultant of Peace and Order and Head of Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Col. Romeo O. Tapayan, PN (Ret.), Cebu Unified Eagles Club President Dr. Edilberto "Kuya Bert" Alvarado, and broadcaster Robert "Bobby" Inoferio in running this noble undertaking.

Aside from trophies, the exciting boat race offers a total of P150,000 in cash prize to the top finishers, with the champion getting the biggest chunk of P50,000. The second placer will pocket P40,000, while the third to fifth will take home P30,000, P20,000, and P10,000, respectively.

Except for the top three finishers, all participants will have a  chance to bring home one of the 10 brand new "Barotos" that will be raffled off during the awarding ceremony.

Registration is scheduled today at the Talisay fishport. It will be done simultaneously with the inspection of 'barotos' if they are qualified for the race based on the specifications set forth by the organizers.

The event is fully supported by the province of Cebu under the dynamic leadership of Gov. Hilario P. Davide III as well as the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Cebu Chapter through its President and Tuburan Mayor Democrito "Aljun" Diamante, Jr., and the city of Talisay led by Mayor Johnny V. de los Reyes. — (FREEMAN)