By Mariela Angella Oladive
The Iloilo River came alive on November 24, as over 500 paddlers gathered to compete in the highly anticipated Dragon Boat Racing event, marking the highlight of the Iloilo River Dragon Boat Festival 2024.
The festival, which ran from November 22 to 24, attracted participants from across the Philippines, including teams from Iloilo, Cebu, Boracay, Bohol, and Manila.
The dragon boat races took place over a 200-meter course along the scenic Iloilo River, providing a vibrant backdrop for the competition.
A total of 11 dragon boat teams participated, including Boracay Dragonforce, Bomba Pilipinas, Bohol Paddlers x Bugsay San Carlos, Amateur Paddlers Philippines (AmPPhi) x Manila Klasiko Dragon Boat Team, PADS Adaptive Dragonboat Racing Team, Boracay Allstars, Cebu Poseidon Dragons, Iloilo Paddlers Club, Inc., Manila Dragons Dragonboat Rowing Team, Inc., Bruins Racers of the High Seas, and Cebu Pink Paddlers Dragon Boat Team.
Teams competed across four categories: Premier Open, Premier Mixed, Premier Women, and Senior Mixed.
The festival marked the return of dragon boat races after several years of hiatus. Organized by the Iloilo Festival Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) with support from former Senator Franklin Drilon, the event focused on preserving the Iloilo River, promoting eco-tourism, and reviving dragon boat racing.
Iloilo Festival Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) President Allan Tan shared his hopes for the festival’s growth in the coming years.
“The festival is more than just a race; it’s a celebration of our commitment to preserving the Iloilo River and promoting dragon boating as a sport. We hope to grow this event annually and bring together people to experience both the beauty of our river and the unity it fosters within the paddling community.”
Tan also expressed gratitude for INJAP’s donation of four dragon boats, which will remain in Iloilo to help develop the local culture of dragon boat racing.
The opening ceremony on November 23 was attended by local officials, including Acting Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, IFFI Chairman Judgee Peña, Department of Tourism (DOT) Region VI Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez, and Ellena-Ranon Mercado, Marketing Head of DoubleDragon Corp.
The event also featured free paddling clinics and river cleanup initiatives, further underscoring the festival’s commitment to community engagement and environmental preservation.
Managed by Velocity 5000, the organizers of other prominent events such as the Dinagyang Marathon 2024 Heritage Run and Paraw Regatta 2024 Aquathlon, the races were held in traditional IDBF 1222 fiberglass dragon boats.
These 12.6-meter boats, weighing approximately 250 kilograms, were designed with intricate dragon motifs and manufactured by Champion, offering a visually striking spectacle for both participants and spectators alike.
