Sipalay City named Kite Tourism Capital of the Philippines

Sipalay City in Negros Occidental has been declared the Kite Tourism Capital of the Philippines at the 8th Burangoy Kite Festival.

IMAGE from LGU of Sipalay City Facebook page

The Kite Association of the Philippines (KAP), through its President Orlando Onkingko, conferred the city as the Kite Tourism Capital of the Philippines. During the turnover ceremony, Supervising Tourism Officer Jerick Lacson handed the plaque of recognition to Mayor Maria Gina Lizares at the Government Center on Monday, April 4.

“The KAP confers to the City of Sipalay the title ‘Kite Tourism Capital of the Philippines’ in grateful recognition for the enduring commitment in promoting the traditional Filipino kite culture as an annual tourism activity,” the plaque read.

Lacson said this recognition is an affirmation of the city’s efforts in promoting sustainable tourism by showcasing the kite festival as a family-friendly activity, kite flying as an eco-friendly sport, and kite making as a way to promote local arts and culture.

IMAGE from LGU of Sipalay City Facebook page

He added that the latest recognition received by the city serves as a challenge for stakeholders “to strive, to innovate, to be better, and to improve” Sipalay’s image and quality as a tourist destination.

This year’s Burangoy Kite Festival, which was among the activities alongside the city’s 21st Charter Anniversary, was the first after it was suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The kite flying exhibitions were conducted from March 30 – April 3 while the actual competition was held on March 31 along the Poblacion beach. For the second time, the festival showcased colorful and unique kites made of various materials except for plastic in support of the LGU’s “no plastic policy.” Its official name Burangoy was derived from the words burador (kite) and barongoy (flying fish).

For more details this momentous event, check out Sipalay City’s Facebook page.