Sumalinog brothers of Talisay City win anew, rule Balik Baroto Regatta boat race
Brothers Lyndon and Ricardo Sumalinog of Talisay City showcased their mastery of paddling anew as they topped the Balik Baroto Regatta boat race last Sunday in Talisay City.
The Sumalinog brothers endured the big waves and intense heat of the sun to finish first in the race that is held in line with the celebration of the 72nd Anniversary of the historic Landing of the American Liberation forces in Talisay City.
The champion brothers finished the seven-nautical mile race course in one hour, 50 minutes and 48 seconds.
“Naanad na lang mi siguro ani kay magbugsay man gyud mi sa among paglawig sa kadagatan halos matag adlaw,” Lyndon said after their recent success.
(We are used to this already because we paddle our way to sea almost every day.)
The title is the third for the Sumalinogs in boat races in Cebu. They are actually undefeated in the races they joined so far. They also topped the Araw ng Kagitingan race in Tuburan and the Sinulog Regatta in Cebu City last year.
Talisay sweep
The Talisaynons actually took the top five spots of the race. Gilberto Obrero and Frankie Gamboa placed second (1:52:04), Mario Canon and Arnold Cabalda finished third (1:54:04), Virgilio Jumao-as and Marto Abines wound up fourth (1:54:23) and Limdel and Jimmy Malinao settled for fifth (1:58:40).
The annual race was spearheaded by the Balik Baroto Movement led by its founding chairman Dir. David “Kuya Boy” Odilao Jr.
Close to a hundred fishermen from Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Lanao del Norte took part in the race that gave importance to the marginalized sector of the society.