Boatman Jaime Parawan of barangay Looc Mandaue City celebrate after winning the the 1st Boat single relay category in Mandaue City. The race is part the city’s fiesta celebration.(CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
AT 55 years old, Jaime Parawan beat 15 younger contenders to win the banca race held at the Bridge Park below the Mandaue-Mactan bridge yesterday.
Parawan, a resident of barangay Looc, bested fishermen from barangays Umapad, Labogon and Paknaan to win the race and take home the P3,000 cash prize. His team also won the relay race and the top P4,000 prize.
“I am very thankful to the organizers that for the first time there was this contest for the fishermen,” Parawan said in Cebuano. Parawan, a father of five children, landed fourth place in the swimming competition.
Engr. Rivardo Mendiza, acting chairman of the Mandaue City Sports Commission, said the banca and swimming contests were requested by the fisherfolk in Mandaue City as part of the fiesta celebration in barangay Looc.
Efren Dejayme of barangay Looc was in second place and won P2,000 at the single banca race followed by Jovani Clarin of barangay Paknaan. Barangay Pakna-an landed second place in the race relay category followed by barangay Labogon.
The swimming competition was won by 29-year-old Jocel Serafica of barangay Looc who received P3,000. Vincent Valle Jr. also of barangay Looc and Coki Fela Pena of barangay Labogon won second and third place, respectively.