SINAMBA sa Paraw Regatta 2010
Posted by on February 20, 2010
Last Thursday night, I was at the SINAMBA sa Paraw Regatta. I was picked as one of the judges for the competition which was held at the Freedom Grandstand. SINAMBA is actually an acronym: Sinaut (Dancing) kag Inamba (Singing). This is my first time to actually witness the festival here in Iloilo City Philippines.
I first saw this festival perform last April 2009 in Manila during the Aliwan Fiesta, and then last December in Roxas City during the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly.
Sinamba is a major segment of the Paraw Regatta Festival. Known to be the oldest sailbost racing event in Southeast Asia. Paraw Regatta was also judged as the Best Sports tourism event during the ATOP (Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines) Conference last year.
This is my first time to actually see the Sinamba Competition. I am so amazed with all the performances. The costumes are all beautiful are really colorful and the music is so inviting.
The performances made me feel like I am in Rio de Janeiro Carnival. And the dancers all really looked like Carioca Samba Dancers sashaying their hips in Copacabana Beach or Ipanema.
The scores from the performances last Thursday night is only 70% of the total scores. The 30% will be scored on Sunday morning during the Paraw Regatta highlight.
After the paraws or the wind-driven sailboats leave the Villa Beach in front of Tatoy’s Restaurant, the Sinamba sa Paraw Regatta competition will resume. But this time in broad daylight.
For those who missed last Thursday night’s performances, you may still be able to witness this grand event Tomorrow around 7 or 8AM in Villa beach in front of Tatoy’s Restaurant.
