Iloilo River Dragon Boat Festival Set to Begin Nov 22

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo River Dragon Boat Festival 2024 will kick off on Nov. 22, marking three days of exhilarating races, cultural celebrations, and environmental advocacy along the picturesque Iloilo River.

Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) President Allan Tan revealed that the festival was inspired by discussions to revive the event.

“We reached out to former Senator Frank Drilon for support, and with his help, we connected with INJAP. We’re grateful that INJAP donated four dragon boats, which will stay here to help develop a local culture of dragon boat racing,” Tan said during a press conference on Nov. 20.

Tan emphasized that the festival aims to train young professionals and nurture the sport for future generations.

Velocity 5000 Overall Coordinator Joanne Marie Pijuan reflected on the success of past events, including the 2012 River Clean-Up Cup and the last dragon boat festival in 2018.

“This festival continues our efforts to preserve the river and its environment while attracting tourists to boost the city’s economy, all while promoting water sports. For paddlers, it’s heartwarming to see the river come alive again,” Pijuan said.

The Iloilo River Dragon Boat Festival 2024 (IRDBF) seeks to honor the cultural heritage of the river while advancing sustainable development and river rehabilitation. Organized by the Iloilo City Government under Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, in partnership with IFFI, the event is co-presented by DoubleDragon Corporation.

Highlights and Competitions

The festival’s highlight will be the dragon boat races, featuring 11 teams from across the Philippines, including the Boracay Allstars, Cebu Poseidon Dragons, Manila Dragons, and Iloilo Paddlers Club.

The races will take place over a 200-meter course along the scenic Iloilo River.

Races will begin on Nov. 23, with the opening ceremony scheduled for 4:00 p.m. The event concludes on Nov. 24 with the Double Dragon Boat Race, featuring four categories: Premier Open (22 paddlers), Premier Mixed (22 paddlers), Premier Women (12 paddlers), and Senior Mixed A (12 paddlers).

Prizes and Participant Perks

Top-performing teams will compete for cash prizes:

• Premier Open & Premier Mixed:
  • Champion: PHP 50,000
  • 1st Runner-up: PHP 30,000
  • 2nd Runner-up: PHP 20,000
  • 3rd Runner-up: PHP 10,000
• Premier Women & Senior Mixed A:
  • Champion: PHP 30,000
  • 1st Runner-up: PHP 20,000
  • 2nd Runner-up: PHP 10,000
  • 3rd Runner-up: PHP 5,000

Participants will receive a singlet, an ID, a certificate, and meals during the welcome cocktails, opening ceremony, and closing ceremony.

Event Management and Standards

The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF), which oversees over 1,500 paddlers nationwide, will ensure that the festival adheres to international standards.

Velocity 5000, the Iloilo-based organizer of events such as the Dinagyang Marathon 2024 Heritage Run and the Paraw Regatta 2024 Aquathlon, will manage the races.

Participants and spectators can look forward to a visual spectacle featuring customized IDBF 1222 fiberglass dragon boats. These 12.6-meter boats, manufactured by Champion, weigh approximately 250 kilograms and showcase traditional dragon designs.

With its focus on sportsmanship, culture, and environmental preservation, the Iloilo River Dragon Boat Festival 2024 promises to be a celebration of the city’s rich heritage and vibrant community spirit.