02:24Hundreds of spectators gathered along the coast of Zamboanga City in the Philippines on Sunday as local fishermen raced sailing boats known as 'vintas' during the annual Hermosa Festival.
Footage shows participants preparing the colourful sails of the vintas before taking to the waves for the 'Regatta de Zamboanga' race.
"I don't think this competition is truly just vintas and sails going around; I think this is a day that celebrates the culture and the skills, and identities of the Zamboanga fishermen," a spectator said.
"I think this is the most colourful fiesta that I've ever been to all my life, and I definitely want to go back next year," added a second.
Each vinta carries two people. Participants combine paddles with sails to traverse the 400-metre race distance.
According to organisers, 'around 249 vintas' took part in this year's regatta. The race has grown in scale every year, with the first edition in 1995 featuring just 50 boats.
The people of Zamboanga celebrate the festival as a tribute to their patron saint, La Virgen Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Zarragosa, who, according to legend, saved the city from a catastrophic tsunami.
All aboard! Filipino fishermen go head-to-head at colourful 'Regatta de Zamboanga' race
Hundreds of spectators gathered along the coast of Zamboanga City in the Philippines on Sunday as local fishermen raced sailing boats known as 'vintas' during the annual Hermosa Festival.
Footage shows participants preparing the colourful sails of the vintas before taking to the waves for the 'Regatta de Zamboanga' race.
"I don't think this competition is truly just vintas and sails going around; I think this is a day that celebrates the culture and the skills, and identities of the Zamboanga fishermen," a spectator said.
"I think this is the most colourful fiesta that I've ever been to all my life, and I definitely want to go back next year," added a second.
Each vinta carries two people. Participants combine paddles with sails to traverse the 400-metre race distance.
According to organisers, 'around 249 vintas' took part in this year's regatta. The race has grown in scale every year, with the first edition in 1995 featuring just 50 boats.
The people of Zamboanga celebrate the festival as a tribute to their patron saint, La Virgen Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Zarragosa, who, according to legend, saved the city from a catastrophic tsunami.
Hundreds of spectators gathered along the coast of Zamboanga City in the Philippines on Sunday as local fishermen raced sailing boats known as 'vintas' during the annual Hermosa Festival.
Footage shows participants preparing the colourful sails of the vintas before taking to the waves for the 'Regatta de Zamboanga' race.
"I don't think this competition is truly just vintas and sails going around; I think this is a day that celebrates the culture and the skills, and identities of the Zamboanga fishermen," a spectator said.
"I think this is the most colourful fiesta that I've ever been to all my life, and I definitely want to go back next year," added a second.
Each vinta carries two people. Participants combine paddles with sails to traverse the 400-metre race distance.
According to organisers, 'around 249 vintas' took part in this year's regatta. The race has grown in scale every year, with the first edition in 1995 featuring just 50 boats.
The people of Zamboanga celebrate the festival as a tribute to their patron saint, La Virgen Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Zarragosa, who, according to legend, saved the city from a catastrophic tsunami.