CAGAYAN de Oro City — Two paddlers from Barangay Sinunuc won ₱50,000 after steering Vinta No. 185 to the overall championship of the Regatta de Zamboanga on Sunday, adding another title to their record in the traditional sailing competition.
Danny Ladja and co-paddler Hajad Hamid claimed the top prize in the race, which ran from 7 a.m. to nearly 9 a.m. along the city coastline as part of Zamboanga City's charter anniversary celebrations.
Ladja, a previous champion in 2022 and 2025, also received ₱10,000 for winning the Best Sail award and ₱2,000 for the preliminary heat, bringing his total prize money to ₱62,000.
Vinta No. 90 finished first runner-up, earning ₱25,000, while Vinta No. 11 from Barangay Mariki placed second runner-up with ₱20,000. Vinta No. 21 from Sta. Cruz Island took third runner-up and ₱15,000, while Vinta No. 54 finished fourth runner-up with ₱10,000.
Each runner-up also received ₱2,000 from the preliminary round. Other participants received ₱1,500 consolation prizes.
Regatta eyed as quarterly event
Mayor Khymer Olaso described the regatta as a source of pride for Zamboanga City and a celebration of its cultural identity.
“Este Regatta, amo se kita ta habla pride de Zamboanga City, the colors of Zamboanga City,” Olaso said, expressing his administration's commitment to sustaining the event.
After the race, Olaso instructed City Tourism Officer Sarita Sebastian to organize the regatta quarterly in 2026 and 2027 to promote tourism and generate economic activity in coastal communities.
The event, organized by the City Tourism Office, drew security officials and representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard, including Joint Task Force Zamboanga Commander Col. Danilo Ambe and Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 Commander Lt. Col. Edgar Bernardo Jr.
The proposed quarterly schedule could give local paddlers more opportunities to compete while helping sustain interest in traditional vinta sailing and the livelihoods linked to coastal tourism.
