Stunningly colorful vintas race during Regatta de Zamboanga

The people lining the boulevard cheered as vinta number 01 raced to the finish leaving behind rivals during the Regatta de Zambaonga in Zamboanga City, winning their category. As the other racers arrived at the finish line, the announcer at the makeshift stage called on the next division to prepare.

The colorful vinta, long been a staple of Zamboanga City’s sea has been its identifying icon, well, other than the Fort Pilar Shrine. But unfortunately, if one goes to the city on an ordinary day, he will be hard pressed to find those beautiful small sailboats prettying the rather drab coastline. Unless of course, he heads to the Paseo del Mar grounds where faux vintas are there for the tourists.

But the only and best time to see these colorful vintas, and lots and lots of them is during the Regatta de Zamboanga, one of the highlights of the Hermosa Festival celebrated every October. And, my god, for a travel photographer like me, it was photography heaven as lines and lines of colorful sails and people are there for you to take photos of.

But more than the photographic possibilities, its a fun time to enjoy these vintas race by paddling, no motorized boats allowed, around a designated route near the coastline. Seeing these colorful sailboats massing at the beach and racing at the water is just so stunning! Enough reason to visit this beautiful city during Hermosa Festival!

My thanx to Department of Tourism Region IX for inviting me during the Hermosa Festival. It was a really memorable visit with lots of things to discover in the Philippines’s Latin City.

Regatta de Zamboanga
Hermosa Festival, every October
Zamboanga City