First Mandaue boat race on May 4

CEBU, Philippines - Around 200 fishermen in Mandaue City will participate in the first-ever boat racing in the city on May 4.

Engineer Ricardo Mendoza, head of the City Sports Commission, said he took the initiative to include the boat racing as one of the activities in city's fiesta celebration in order to let the public know that fishermen still have a place in the city despite its status as an industrial hub.

Mendoza said the boat race is open to all registered fishermen in the city.

Participants may choose any of the two categories, namely individual boat racing and boat relay, which will be composed by five fishermen per group.

Prizes for each category are P3,000 for the first prize, P2,000 for the second prize and P1,000 for the first prize. The winner for the best in banca decoration will also receive P1,000.

The competition venue will be 400 meters long located near the Mandaue Bridge Park.

Other highlights of the fiesta activities are the Panagtabo Festival street dancing on May 3, coronation of Miss Mandaue on May 7, Symphony of Fire grand fireworks display on May 8, Balikbayan Night on May 10 and a mass wedding on May 29.

There will also be nightly cultural activities that will be held at the City Hall Plaza square spearheaded by the Mandaue City College with the participation of the city's different public schools.

Mandaue City has allotted P9.5 million in budget for this year's fiesta celebration with more cultural activities on hand.

The city celebrates the feast day of St. Joseph, its patron saint, every May 8 of the year.  (FREEMAN)