There are plenty of reasons to come and visit Iloilo City dubbed the "Heart of the Philippines."

From the array of dishes, delicacies, and other food products being offered in the "City of Love" to its historic places and sites; from interesting local cultural practices and traditions to ideal places of relaxation such as the Iloilo River, Iloilo City beckons!

Dragon boat paddlers capitalize on their sport to promote communion with nature at Iloilo River where one gets to enjoy fresh air while fishing. And of course, take pleasure in the ride on board paddle boats.

Such vista was witnessed not just by Ilonggos but by visitors from different parts of the Philippines during the Iloilo River Dragon Boat Festival 2024 toward the end of November 2024.

Each effort to paddle becomes exciting because each group displayed competitiveness. One of the dragon boat participants is Unice Silleza who rejoiced at her first-time experience to paddle at the Iloilo River.

“Compared to Manila Bay kasi, magaan ang tubig sa Manila Bay. Hindi naman kami nabigla pero it is interesting na malaman ang flow ng water dito. Exciting. Yes, nakakahingal siya pero we trained for this,” Unice Silleza, a member of Amateur Paddlers Philippines, conveyed.

Eleven paddling teams from Western Visayas, Cebu, Bohol, and Manila joined in various categories.

It is a big thing according to the president of the Iloilo Paddlers Club to train at Iloilo River, with that sense of local pride and ownership, in preparation for the competition.

“It’s a big advantage for us kasi dito tayo nag-practice at nag-training. We are blessed with the Iloilo River. Mayroon tayong facilities,” said Raphael Dorilag, president of Iloilo Paddlers.

The activity does not only promote dragon boat racing as a water sports in Iloilo City but the beauty and water quality of Iloilo River foremost.

“Awareness ng ating Iloilo River para when you play the sport, you also get to appreciate the Iloilo River at why do we have to maintain the river clean,” according to Allan Tan, president of Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI).

Banking on the success of Iloilo River Dragon Boat Festival 2024, the Local Government Unit of Iloilo City has mulled on staging the event annually.