• ANDREW ALTAREJOS
The City of Sipalay in Negros Occidental recently celebrated its 24th Charter Anniversary with the staging of its 11th Burangoy Tourism Kite Festival along Poblacion beach and the 13th Barongoy Fishtival at Pana-on, Barangay II, on March 22 and 23.
The annual Burangoy Tourism Kite Festival has become a tourism event, gathering several kite enthusiasts from the different parts of the country, with even foreign kite flyers in attendance. The skies along Poblacion beach were filled with colorful flying kites in all forms of sizes and shapes, thus earning the city the title of “Kite Capital of the Philippines” by the Kite Association of the Philippines.
The event not only showcases the artistry of kite enthusiasts, but also brings back the Filipino culture of flying our own local kites, commonly known as burador.
The name of the event was taken from “Burangoy” that comes from the amalgamation of the local words burador (our local kite), and barongoy (flying fish), which is very popular in the city.
It was spearheaded by the City Government of Sipalay, in partnership with the Sipalay City Imagina Foundation, Inc., and the Kite Association of the Philippines.
Present during the event were Mayor Maria Gina Montilla Lizares, together with honorary chairpersons, Ellaine Pearl Garinganao Palma, Janewill L. Selga, James Anthony Garrucho, and Leslie Alejano.
Neg. Occ., 6th District Representative Mercedes Alvarez was represented by Angelica Alvarez, and City Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Jerick Lacson were also in attendance.
The Kite Association of the Philippines (KAP) was represented by Orlando Ongkingco, Yolanda Esguerra, Jonathan Josol, Carlito Perez, Johnmark Lopez, Virgel Jan Ramos, Dindo Santos, Crispulo Rosales, Joenit Bescaser, and Bro. Emmanuel Hilado.
Guests coming from South Korea who also joined the kite flying activities, were Kwangwoo Song, Jongku Lee, Chulseung Cho, and Sangok Pyo of the Korea Kite Federation.
Department of Tourism Western Visayas Regional Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez also attended the awarding ceremony for the winners of the kite flying competition.
This year’s winners in the four categories of the kite flying competition during the 11th Burangoy Tourism Kite Festival were for the Flat Kites category: first place was Niño Joseph Rosales, second place – Jules Paola Demerin, and third place – Edmark Sateniaman.
Figure Kites category: first place – Rey Agabon, second place – Manny Dagle, and third place – Rowygin Andraneda. 3D Geometric Kites category: first place – Rowygin Adraneda, second place – Joemar Dagle, and third place – Prince Ayen Merkanes.
Barungoy/Flying Fish category: first place – Niño Joseph Rosales, second place – Edgar Sateniamon, and third place – Neil Adrian Demerin.
Special awards were also given to the Biggest Kite entry (Butterfly) of Rey Agabon, Longest Kite entry (Centipede) of New Year Medel, and the Most Unique Kite entry (Seahorse) of Rowygin Andraneda.
The Department of Tourism Western Visayas also invited some of its local media partners who have influenced many and contributed to the increase of tourist arrivals in the region. These influencers have been instrumental in showcasing the event’s beauty, vibrancy, and cultural richness to a wider audience. Some of these social media influencers/media guest who also joined the event were Rye Leones and Mark Anthony Pila of ArkyPila Go, freelance photojournalist Andrew Altarejos, Jeamlord Canoy of Jeamoto Vlog, and Kemberly Alipater of Moana Rider.
Meanwhile, the 13th Barongoy Fishtival at Pana-on in Barangay II was held in the afternoon of March 23. The vibrant celebration highlights the Barongoy (flying fish), a famous local delicacy and a livelihood of this coastal barangay in the city.
Several activities also lined-up for the day to add color to the festivities included a Bancarera or a boat race, a colorful fluvial parade, and the most awaited part which is the grilling event, where hundreds of residents and visitors coming from other parts of province enjoyed the freshly caught and grilled barongoy. This celebration honors the hardworking fisherfolk whose livelihood have contributed to the growth of their community. Indeed, the event not only showcases the beauty of its people in this Jewel of the Sugar Island but also the richness of the seafood culture of Sipalay City.*
