No calm seas, no easy wins at BPI Boracay regatta
Out at sea, there are no shortcuts—only wind, water and the quiet test of endurance.
For a dozen yachts that set sail from Subic in March, the 370-kilometer (200-nautical-mile) journey to Boracay was less a race than a reckoning.
Sailors navigated fickle winds that swung from near stillness to bursts exceeding 25 knots, while rolling swells and choppy seas demanded constant recalibration. It was a course that rewarded not just speed, but discipline.
At the center of it all was the 2026 BPI Boracay 200 regatta, a defining leg in the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series—one that has steadily grown into a proving ground for sailors across the region.
A test beyond speed
Offshore racing has always been about more than crossing a finish line. It is about reading the sea, anticipating its moods and holding steady when conditions shift without warning.
This year’s edition, held from March 10 to March 15, underscored that reality. The long passage from Subic to Boracay was followed by two days of inshore racing, where precision mattered just as much as endurance.
For many, it was the unpredictability that defined the experience.
“What we’re seeing is a regatta that continues to grow in both scale and impact,” says regatta chair Andy Aguila, noting stronger competition and broader participation as signs of the sport’s rising profile.
“Each edition brings stronger competition and broader participation, which is vital for the continued development of the sport. The momentum behind this series is helping strengthen the sailing community while positioning the Philippines as an emerging destination for offshore racing in the region,” Aguila says.
The numbers tell part of that story. Two new entries from Hong Kong joined the fleet this year, signaling a widening regional appeal—and a quiet shift positioning the Philippines as an emerging destination for offshore sailing.
A commanding run
In a race shaped by variables, one yacht stood out for its consistency.
“Karakoa,” an Excel 53 (53 feet long), cut cleanly through the demanding course, claiming not just one but all major honors: Line Honors, IRC (International Rating Certificate) Class Overall and the coveted Overall Winner title.
Behind the performance was a steady hand at the helm—father-and-son tandem Ray and Francis Ordoveza—whose tactical calls and disciplined execution held firm across multiple race days.
Karakoa is no stranger to winning. The team topped the Subic-to-Boracay leg and carried that form into the inshore races. In 2025, it likewise secured the overall title and the 2025 BPI Boracay 200 Perpetual Trophy.
Elsewhere, the competition remained tight. Hong Kong-based Glory, skippered by Yiu Kwai Szeto, topped the Cruising Class with consistent finishes.
Meanwhile, Maelie, a 48-foot outremer captained by Romain Barberis, led the Ocean Multihull Class, reflecting the diversity of vessels and strategies on display.
More than a race
Now in its third season, the series has evolved into something larger than competition.
It is, in part, a showcase of Philippine waters—from historic coastal routes to open-sea passages—but also a platform for a broader message.
Under the theme “Do More for the Philippine Seas,” the event is anchored on a partnership with WWF-Philippines, highlighting the need to protect marine ecosystems that sustain both communities and livelihoods.
For Maria Theresa Marcial, president and CEO of BPI Wealth, the parallels between sailing and stewardship are clear.
“These are the same principles that have guided BPI for 175 years. Through the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series, we celebrate excellence not only in competition, but in the values that endure: commitment, responsibility and a shared duty to protect the seas that sustain our communities,” Marcial enthuses.
The journey continues
With the Boracay leg complete, the series now turns to its final chapter: the BPI Subic Regatta.
But for those who crossed the finish line on Boracay Island, the journey lingers beyond the standings.
Out there, where land disappears and only the horizon remains, the race becomes something else entirely—a shared pursuit shaped by wind, guided by instinct and carried forward by a deep respect for the sea.
