Iconic regatta comes to Busuanga
The azure waters of Palawan will see the unfurling of sails this week as Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Busuanga Cup, one of the premier events on the local yachting calendar, sets its course.
This iconic regatta will take place on Jan. 25 to Jan. 28, followed by the Busuanga Rally, a cruising expedition aimed at sustaining the sailing lifestyle around the beautiful islands of Palawan.
BPI Private Wealth teams up with the Philippine Inter-Island Sailing Foundation (Phinsaf) to host the regatta. This is the second event under the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series that kicked off in November 2023.
Now on its eighth year, BPI Busuanga Cup has established itself as a regatta of choice among competitive sailors in the Philippines. It will see one of the biggest participations from boats hailing from major yacht clubs in the Philippines, such as Manila, Punta Fuego, Subic, Puerto Galera and Busuanga.
Phinsaf president Monchu Garcia says sailing is etched on the DNA of sea enthusiasts in the Philippines, a nation with rich maritime history that dates back to precolonial times.
Local sailing community
“My dream is to revive the local sailing industry and community in the Philippines. I’ve always believed that the Philippines is the Caribbean of the Pacific. It’s high time we reintroduce sailing to our countrymen. Beyond exploring the breathtaking landscapes of the Philippines through sailing, I am confident that the BPI Busuanga Cup and all the events under the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series will soon earn its place as the preeminent sailing tournament in Asia,” Garcia says.
“Through the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series, we aspire to foster the growth of the sailing community, showcase the finest water destinations in the Philippines, and actively contribute to marine conservation efforts. We make sure that we remain anchored on one thing—our deep connection and shared love for the sea, and our commitment to protect it at all costs,” says Maria Theresa Marcial, president and CEO of BPI Wealth and trustee of WWF Philippines.
The event starts with a 128-nautical mile race from Punta Fuego, Nasugbu, an overnight race all the way to Black Island, northwest of Busuanga Bay.
Boats will be moored at the Marina Del Sol Yacht Club. There will be two additional days of inshore races set against the breathtaking backdrop of Busuanga’s picturesque waters.
Three categories will be racing, namely the IRC Racing Class, Ocean Multihull Class and Cruising Class.
