BPI Boracay 200: Banking on the future of Philippine sailing
Some of the country’s finest sailors—many of whom are also entrepreneurs and business leaders—conquered strong winds across 200 nautical miles of rough seas from Subic to Boracay for line honors at the 2025 BPI Boracay 200 regatta.
Leaving Subic Bay on Feb. 20, they sailed to the southeast, passing iconic marks such as Grande Island, Fort Drum and Verde Island as winds blew 20 to 30 knots.
The ocean adventurers continued their journey overnight, turning south toward Tablas Strait, finally rewarded by the sight of Boracay Island at the finish line. Inshore races around the island continued until Feb. 26.
“When we launched the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series two years ago, our vision was clear—to create a platform that celebrates the sport of yacht racing, fosters camaraderie among sailors and raises the profile of the Philippines as a premier sailing destination. Today, with seasoned competitors, passionate sailors and next-gen outdoor enthusiasts joining the movement, I am delighted to see that we are on the right course,” Maria Theresa Marcial, BPI Wealth president and CEO, tells the Inquirer.
Ocean Racing Club of the Philippines, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to grow the sport of yacht racing in the Philippines, organized this premier regatta series. By showcasing the beauty of the archipelago, proponents aim to unlock the country’s potential as a sailing mecca.
“As the yacht race series continues to grow in participation and momentum, we are also excited to champion sustainability initiatives that help enrich communities—this year, through financial wellness and coastal cleanup. We want to help preserve the natural treasures that make the Philippines a world-class sailing destination,” adds Marcial, who is also a trustee of WWF Philippines.
A sailing enthusiast herself, Marcial reports that the number of boats that joined the regatta this year has increased to 12 from last year’s nine. She hopes to attract more and more participants here and abroad in the seasons ahead.
On the sidelines of the inshore races, Southeast Asia’s oldest bank took the opportunity to conduct a financial education seminar for crew members, while WWF led the shore cleanup, collecting 43 kilos of trash along White Beach.
Team Karaoke rules
Second-generation sailor Francis Ordoveza, president of Mcord Fastfood Corp. (a McDonald’s Philippines franchisee), showed what it means to be fast not just in food retailing but in yacht racing as well. He skippered Karakoa, the largest boat in the International Rating Certificate Class, and recorded an elapsed time of 25 hours, 29 minutes and 19 seconds, setting a new benchmark for the BPI Boracay 200.
Team Karakoa thus secured the top spot in the Subic to Boracay race. Including scores tallied during the inshore races, Karakoa likewise claimed the 2025 BPI Boracay 200 Perpetual Trophy as overall winner.
Karaoka is an Excel 53 (53 feet long) boat designed by renowned sailboat designer Alan Andrews and built in California, says skipper Ordoveza. It was named after the Philippine tribal warship that Datus used to raid neighboring islands in the precolonial era.
“Karakoa is a one-of-a-kind boat. No other boat exactly like her design was made,” Ordoveza says.
“She is a prototype racer originally meant for the Transpac race from California to Hawaii but the design never went into full production. She was then modified for sailing in the Philippines,” he adds.
A next-generation sailor, Ordoveza (whose father, Ray, is likewise a yacht master) has been sailing since the mid-1990s. He initially sailed on dinghies and small boats in high school before joining his dad on big boat races.
And he had an ace up his sleeve. Notable American sailor Steve Benjamin, an Olympic silver medalist and the 2015 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, crewed on Karakoa.
Meanwhile, Allusive, captained by Anthony Evangelista, dominated the Cruising Class while Romaine Barberis’ Maelie claimed victory in the Ocean Multihull Class.
Including inshore races, Allusive is also the overall winner for the Cruising Class, while Cariño dominated the Multihull Class.
Boracay is the third leg of this season, which kicked off in November last year with BPI Corregidor Cup 2024, followed by BPI Busuanga Cup 2025 in January. The first two legs were won by Team Selma Star, skippered by Jun Avecilla.
The final leg of the series, pitched as the “ultimate sailing adventure in the Philippines,” will be in Subic on March 27 to 30.
After reigniting interest in sailing in Season 1, Marcial says that for Season 2, the stakes are higher, but the mission greater: race for the future of Philippine sailing and protect the seas for generations to come.
