ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Spectators were treated Sunday to a colorful exhibit of over 200 vintas racing against each other in the curving coastline of RT Lim Boulevard.

Over 200 vintas participated in this year's Regatta de Zamboanga, the biggest and the most colorful event in the annual Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.

Badjao and Sama fishermen who live along the coastlines of barangays Sinunuc, Maasin, Labuan, Mariki, and Sta. Cruz are the participants for this year's vinta race.

For this year, the champion would bring home a P15,000 cash prize while runners-up would leave with P12,000, P10,000, P7,000, and P5,000 respectively.

Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar said part of the activity is the capability demonstration, which will be conducted by the various units and assets of the Philippine Navy through the Naval Forces Western Mindanao.

The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is celebrated all throughout the month of October in honor of its patron, the Nuestra Senyora La Virgen del Pilar.