Sinulog ‘Balik Baroto Regatta’ sails off today

CEBU, Philippines – Close to a hundred fisherfolks from all over Cebu will showcase their paddling and maneuvering skills in a one of a kind boat race billed as the 'Sinulog 2016 Balik Baroto Regatta' today.

The event will start right after the fluvial procession of the miraculous Señor Sto. Niño at 9 a.m., starting and ending at the shores of Baywalk near the Cebu City Senior Citizen's Park.

The participants, some coming from as far as Borbon, Argao and Tuburan, will traverse almost six nautical miles off the shores of the South Road Properties up to the city of Talisay and back.

"Given the panoramic view of the race route along the stretch of SRP, the spectators are in for a treat," said former   Customs District collector David "Kuya Boy" S. Odilao Jr., the highly esteemed  'Father of Sinulog' having started what is now considered as the country's mother of all festivals on January 17, 1980.

Over P200,000 in cash prize is at stake for the top performers of the event co-presented by Odilao's Balik Baroto Movement and the Bisdak Group (Hugpong sa mga Bisaya alang sa Kauswagan ug Kaangayan, Inc.), the city government of Cebu, the Sinulog Foundation and Cebu Holdings, Inc.

The champion tandem will go home P50,000 richer, 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 P2,000.

A photo contest will further highlight the affair that is supported by 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.

The grand prize winner will take home P20,000, while the second to fifth will receive P15,000, P10,000, P5,000 and P3,000. Each entry must be published in any local newspapers.— EBV (FREEMAN)