PADDLERS and fisher folk celebrated the annual Earth Day celebration through a third edition of Bigiw-Bugsay 2018 organized by the Island Buzz Philippines in coordination with an international non-profit organization Oceana Philippines last April 22 at the Seaside Park in Moalboal, Cebu.
More than 60 paddling enthusiasts from the different barangays of the town came to compete.
The event featured five categories: Men’s Single and Tandem Bigiw Sailing, Men’s 1-Kilometer Bigiw Paddling, Women’s 200-Meter Bigiw Paddling, and Youth Tandem 200-Meter.
Topping the Men’s Single is Jinyfe Tapales, who clocked 53 minutes and 25 seconds, followed by Jommel Avenido (55:35:42) and Joken Avenido (56: 51:64).
In the Men’s Tandem Bigiw Sailing, Roy and Sadam Tapales (45:38) emerged champions. The tandem of Allan and Vernan Pocong clocked 47:36 to place second while the duo of Alex and Rommel Pocong (48:37:57) landed at third.
Fredo Pocong (23:50), Lino Tapales (24:35), and Gilbert Tapales (25:15) were the top three in the men’s 1-km Bigiw Paddling, respectively. The top three in the Women’s 200-meter Bigiw Sailing were Nilda Bagwat, Betty Bugwat, and Florencia Tapales, respectively.
In the Youth Tandem 200-meter Bigiw Paddling, John Visinia and Carlito Pocong finished first followed by Millard Ignacio and Christian Banilad, and Michiel Tapales and Janrel Avenido.
Aside from the celebration of the Earth Day, both the Island Buzz Philippines and Oceana Philippines aimed to preserve the local and traditional ways of fishing and sailing.
“We’ll continue with our advocacy of promoting the Bigiw (bisaya term for canoe) and we will keep on improving its design without losing the local touch.” Buzzy Budlong, the race director, said in a press statement given to Cebu Daily News.