The organizer of the annual Paraw Regatta Festival is banking on the support of schools in Iloilo to sustain the celebration held to honor the seafaring skills of Ilonggos.

Now in its 53rd year, Paraw Regatta sailing events chair Roberto Somosa said a training workshop will be held on Feb. 23-25 to develop children’s awareness and love for paraw sailing.

The Paraw Regatta is participated by native sailboats with outriggers, showcasing the maneuvering skills of their crews as they search for the perfect wind.

The biggest problem, Somosa said, is the dwindling number of participants because, in reality, fisherfolk are no longer using sailboats for fishing.

“Traditional fisherfolk who used to participate in our Paraw Festival are already using pumpboats for convenience and a more efficient means of livelihood for fishing,” he said in a press conference on Thursday.

The strategy, he said, is to return to grassroots development and make it school-based, targeting high school students.

“For our first workshop, we target 10 teams to be trained, and next year, they will compete in the school category,” he added.

They will also talk with the board members of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, which supervises all festivals in the city, to build a 20-footer paraw that will be adopted by the schools to ensure its maintenance.

“Hopefully, we will develop the awareness and love for paraw sailing among children,” he said.

Meanwhile, this year’s edition of the Paraw Regatta Festival is expected to gather at least 35 participants, down from the 44 sailboats last year.

Somosa said the race course has been shortened to around 26 kilometers from the usual route of about 30 kilometers across the Iloilo Strait.

Paraw Regatta Festival Foundation chair John Lex Bayombong said they will be increasing prizes for sailing events to encourage more participation.

This year’s theme, “Sailing Forward, Guided by Tradition”, reflects the festival’s journey of progress while honoring its deep maritime heritage, he said.

“It highlights how the festival continues to evolve-embracing modern creativity, tourism growth, and environmental awareness – while remaining rooted in the traditions of Ilonggo seafaring communities,” he said.

One of the innovations this year is the Kusina Regatta cook-off challenge to highlight traditional seafood dishes with a modern twist on Feb. 27.

Aldene Duyag, creative and artistic director for Paraw Regatta Festival 2026, said the event is one way to attract the younger generation.

They will be inviting culinary schools in the city to prepare dishes not the traditional way, but with an elevation or twist. (PNA)