VINTA REGATTA 2011 ZAMBOANGA HERMOSA FESTIVAL: ASSEMBLY

I was so happy I was able to experience the Regatta 2011 in this year's Fiesta Pilar.

I just came from the airport and we passed by the R.T.Lim Boulevard very well aware that the Regatta was today.

There was no traffic this early.

It was still 6 a.m. and so the vintas were all lined up. There were no numbers assigned yet.

view from the other side of the R.T.Lim Boulevard

Some came a bit later and arrived without the sail. 

The small boats without the sail are the more common everyday sight rather than with the sail on.
Then, as soon as they landed on shore, they prepare their bright sails.

"we would like to join, too!"... with some fishing boats in the background.

this is the boat without the sail...

the boatmen join the rest of the group...

preparing their sails

The vintas are so colorful and beautiful.

notice the waves at the shoreline...

the vintas at the shoreline of the R.T. Lim Boulevard

the vintas are now assigned their numbers for the race...

Some folks continued on with their exercise, strolling or jogging in the newly renovated R.T. Lim Boulevard.

These days, the runners are now safer with the more uniform pavement.

the new sidewalk at the R.T. Lim Boulevard

There are also vendors selling seaweeds, crackers, taho, drinks and whatever...

distributing the seaweeds "Lato"

Samals and Badjaos selling "Latô" (seaweeds)

Taho for sale

There were families who had a picnic there.

There were people, especially kids, who just wanted to play and swim.

Of course, folks came over to watch the regatta.

And a lot also came to cover the regatta and also just get photos of the regatta.

It was fun just being there!

ZAMBOANGA VINTAS CIRCA 2005

Fiesta Pilar is coming and soon we would again witness the beauty of the vintas in regatta.

The vinta, with its colorful sail is usually associated with Zamboanga City. 

During ordinary days, we do not see the vintas plying the seas and so there are representative vinta sails in Lantaka Hotel by the sea and also in La Vista Del Mar.

Vinta sail in Lantaka Hotel by the Sea 

Vinta sail and the Lantaka (cannon)

From Wikipedia: The vinta ( locally known as lepa-lepa or sakayan) is a traditional boat found in the Philippine island of Mindanao. These boats are made by Bajau and Moros lining in theSulu Archipelago. It has a sail with assorted vertical colors that represents the colorful culture and history of the Muslim community. These boats are used for inter-island transport of people and goods. Zamboanga City is known for these vessels.

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/Mindanao/mindanao_culture.htm

The vinta, together with pearl divers, and the Badjao boat dwellers, form the romance of the Sulu seas. The vinta's colorful sail decorates many a picture of southern Philippine sunsets beckoning the adventurous at heart to the joys and wonder of riding big waves.

Actually, the vinta is not safe for long ocean travel. It is a very small and unsteady sailboat, used only for short trips on days with normal breezes. Vinta is how the sailboat is called by the maritime people of the Sulu archipelago. Some say it may be a name coined by the Spaniards.

The boat is more commonly known as lepa-lepa or sakayan.

The vintas come in vibrant colors.

with the Little Sta. Cruz Island in the horizon

the vintas with the Little Sta. Cruz Island in the horizon

Here are the vintas in the Zamboanga City R.T. Lim  Boulevard (also known as the Cawa-Cawa Boulevard). 

This was taken in 2005. There are now many new and ongoing developments of the R.T. Lim Boulevard this year and it now has a slightly different look.

Vintas at the Cawa-Cawa Boulevard

This is a unique type of regatta since we have indigenous sailboats plying the sea, strongly depicting Muslim culture.
The vintas all line up for a race and all the more, it is interesting to view. 

From Wikipedia: A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas. A regatta often includes social and promotional activities which surround the racing event, and except in the case of boat type (or "class") championships, is usually named for the town or venue where the event takes place.

Although regattas are typically amateur competitions, they are usually formally structured events, with comprehensive rules describing the schedule and procedures of the event. Regattas may be organized as championships for a particular area or type of boat, but are often held just for the joy of competition, camaraderie, and general promotion of the sport.

the vintas from afar

Race has started.

This is the vinta at  sunset.

taken at the Cawa-Cawa boulevard with the typical Zamboanga streetlight

we are now on our way home...

In the recent years, the regatta is now held at the Paseo Del Mar.

I do wish I could watch the Regatta in this year's Fiesta Pilar.