BORACAY — Amid the threat of typhoon Bebeng, hundreds of foreign and local tourists celebrated the first Panagat Festival in Buruanga, Aklan.
Competitions were held during the week-long festivity.
Among these were the boat paddling race and the fishing contest.
Most of the participants to these competitions were local fishermen and boat operators in Aklan.
The racing of fishermen from Buruanga town to nearby Boracay in a seven-kilometer route symbolize the extension of Aklan tourism brought about by the so-called Boracay magic, Vicky Ramos-Antonino of the Aklan Provincial Tourism Council said.
“One of our thrusts is to look for an alternative tourism destination to encourage tourists coming to Boracay to explore other areas as well. We are doing our best to accomplish this,” said Antonino.
Ariel Abriam, a businessman based in this resort island, said he partnered with the municipal government of Buruanga to organize the festival as he also promised to support the event every year.
“We believe in the town of Buruanga as an additional tourism attraction for Boracay tourists,” Abriam said.
He also expressed gratitude to the support of the Aklan Tourism Council, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police and the media for “making the event a success.”
Buruanga, a fifth-class municipality in Aklan, supplies fish to Boracay.
Many of the town’s residents are fishermen and boat operators. (photo by Dexter Ree, Aklan Kamera Organization)
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