Thousands flock to Zambo for vinta race

ZAMBOANGA REGATTA More than 200 mostly Badjao and Sama people join the regatta, one of the 78 events of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2016. —JULIE S. ALIPALA

ZAMBOANGA CITY— Thousands of Zamboanguenos on Sunday trooped to the Roseller T. Lim Boulevard to witness the Regatta de Zamboanga, the annual vinta race.

Carlito Baling, a photographer from Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, brought his family to see what he called “one beautiful event” that is good for photography. Photos taken of the regatta, he said, are in demand as screen savers, tarpaulin and for internet ads.

Cindy Ranchez, a vacationing Filipina nurse in Europe, was with her family and friends.

“My dad used to bring me here in the 1980s and nothing has changed,” she said.

But some things did change.

Christian Olasiman, a member of the information team of the Zamboanga City government, said more boat racers have joined this year’s regatta.

“Last year, we said that it was the biggest ever with 180 racers,” he said. “Now, we have 251 (racers),” he added, saying more villages took part in the race.

Olasiman said participants came from the villages of Sinunuc, Masepla, Rio Hondo, Santa Barbara, Campo Islam, Calarian and from the Badjao communities in Sta. Cruz island. —JULIE S. ALIPALA