A Decade at Sea: 10^th BPI Busuanga Cup opens the Philippine sailing season in Palawan

The 10th BPI Busuanga Cup successfully opened the Philippine sailing season as the azure waters of Northern Palawan played host to four days of competitive racing from January 29 to February 2, reaffirming the regatta’s place as one of the most anticipated events on the local yachting calendar.

Hosted by BPI Private Wealth in partnership with the Philippine Inter-Island Sailing Foundation (PHINSAF), the milestone edition marked the opening leg of the highly anticipated BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series, now on its third season. The series continues to bring together elite sailors, iconic Philippine sailing destinations, and a shared advocacy for responsible sailing and marine conservation with this year’s theme ‘Do More for the Philippine Seas.’

The milestone regatta roared to life at the break of race day as 14 boats crossed the starting line at Punta Fuego Yacht Club in Nasugbu, Batangas, embarking on a demanding 135-nautical-mile offshore race to Black Island, Busuanga.

The BPI Busuanga Cup has long been regarded as a regatta of choice among competitive sailors in the country. BPI has been supporting the Busuanga Cup since 2022, even prior to the consolidation of four iconic races under the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series.

“When the Busuanga Cup started ten years ago, the goal was simple: to create a meaningful offshore race that challenged sailors and celebrated the beauty of our waters,” said Regatta Chairman Monchu Garcia. “What it has become today is the result of years of collaboration within the sailing community, growing support from partners like BPI, and a shared belief that the Philippines deserves a place on the regional sailing map.”

Rooted in a nation with a rich maritime heritage dating back to precolonial times, the BPI Busuanga Cup continues to champion sailing as both a sport and tradition.

A total of 14 boats competed in this milestone edition across three categories: IRC Racing Class, Ocean Multihull Class, and Cruising Class. Yachts were moored at Marina del Sol Yacht Club where the awards event was also held.

Sustainability remained a core pillar of the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series. The regatta series continues to promote responsible sailing practices, advocate for marine conservation, and reinforce a shared responsibility to protect the seas that unite the sailing community with its continued partnership with WWF Philippines.

"The BPI Busuanga Cup has evolved into a classic in the Philippine yacht racing scene. We are proud to support this regatta, now on its 10th year, which has the potential to become a major event in the Asian racing circuit. It attracts sailors eager to embrace the tactical challenges of navigating the Golo Pass and the tricky currents of Calavite Passage, followed by inshore races defined by shifting breezes set against the stunning backdrop of Palawan. Events like this reflect our commitment to promoting the sport while encouraging stewardship of our seas," said Maria Theresa Marcial, President and CEO of BPI Wealth.

At the close of racing, top honors were awarded to standout teams across all classes.

Tight competition defined the milestone 10th BPI Busuanga Cup, with corrected-time results reflecting razor-thin margins across classes after days of offshore and inshore racing. In the International Rating Certificate (IRC) Class, Belatrix, skippered by Jun Villanueva, delivered a standout performance to clinch the class victory and emerge as overall champion, securing the coveted Doni Altura Perpetual Trophy.

The Cruising Class saw Papaya I, skippered by Renie Ticzon, post strong finishes across the race program to claim top honors in its division. Meanwhile, the Ocean Multihull Class was dominated by Tutu Tango, skippered by Roman Azanza, whose steady and disciplined performance sealed victory in its class.

Below is a full list of winners for the BPI Busuanga Cup 2026:

• IRC Class: 1^st place – Belatrix, skippered by Jun Villanueva; 2^nd place – Raw Honey, skippered by James Villareal; 3^rd place – Moonshot, skippered by Chris Cheng
• Cruising Class: 1^st place – Papaya I, skippered by Renie Ticzon; 2^nd place – Neptunus III, skippered by Richard McGonegal; 3^rd place – Dantes, skippered by Eric Nicolas
• Ocean Multihull Class: 1^st place – Tutu Tango, skippered by Roman Azanza; 2^nd place – Maëlie, skippered by Romain Barberis; 3^rd place – Cariño, skippered by Monchu Garcia

A decade on, the BPI Busuanga Cup stands as a testament to continuity and growth, evolving through strong partnerships, opening the sailing season with excitement, and steering Philippine sailing toward a future that balances competition, heritage, and sustainability.

With the season now underway, the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series continues with its next leg set against the historic backdrop of Corregidor, where sailors will once again take on a course that blends challenging racing with one of the country’s