Making Waves
By Mikee dela Cruz
PUBLISHED: JANUARY 2009

PEOPLE'S SPORT

Since she discovered the sport, Moral has spent “around P75,000 – probably from P10,000 to P15,000 per year.  I don’t think that’s expensive, especially when compared to other sports,” she says.

Corpuz agrees.  “Masyado siyang mura (This is really affordable).  I used to play paintball, and THAT was really expensive.  So when I was introduced into paddling, I found it a better (alternative) – you are able to stay fit with the least expense.”
According to Rommel “Beng” Celestino, founding chairman, president and head coach of the Blue Phoenix, and concurrent vice president of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDF), in the Philippine set-up, the boats in use are provided by the PDF, which, currently, counts 17 of the over 30 dragon boat clubs as members.  Since a boat can cost from $6,000, “the (Federation’s) efforts allow for as many people as possible to enjoy the sport,” he says.  The paddles used are often provided by the clubs, so it isn’t necessary for a paddler to buy one.  But for those who can afford to buy one can do so, with the paddles costing from P500 to over P5,000.

As for the outfit, “there are no uniforms, so to speak,” Celestino says.  “You can wear anything comfortable.”  The only expenses are the membership dues (in Blue Phoenix’s case, P100 per month), as well as those incurred when teams compete.

This makes dragon boating easily accessible to everyone. 

Most clubs or teams do not require much from an applicant.  “As long as the person is interested, determined and patient to learn the sport, he/she may join any of the existing teams,” PDF states in its web site.

Knowing how to swim isn’t even a pre-requisite for this sport done in waters, adds PDF, though some teams, like Blue Phoenix, prefers those who can.  Age is also not a factor, with many players over 40 or 50 years old, like Moral.  However, minors are required to have their parents sign a waiver of liability.

“Of course, those with health problems and other similar physical problems (are ineligible unless cleared by medical practitioners),” Celestino says.  Those with “star complex” are also excluded because “in this sport, walang stars (there are no stars), we’re all equal,” ass Danny Madriaga, vice president of Blue Phoenix, which now has over 60 members.

Now a regular paddler, Corpuz says his lifestyle didn’t change much since he discovered dragon boating.  “My teammates are my drinking buddies, too,” he says.  “Usually, people think that, for one to be in this sport, one has to give up (his habits), but that is not necessarily true.”

“We just want to paddle,” Celestino says.  “(Blue Phoenix) realizes that paddling is just 10% of a paddler’s life – if they wanted more, they’d join the national team.  May mga club na ‘yan lang ang alam nilang gawin (For some clubs, that’s all they do).  But for us, we just want to unwind – though, at the same time, we maintain a level of performance, which we do with trainings of once to thrice a week.”

And unwinding is what’s in Moral’s mind now.  “On a monthly basis, we have reportorial requirements for our clients to submit to the BIR.  And at the end of the year, we have yearend audits – hindi halos kami natutulog (we don’t sleep much) just to finish them,” she says.  Thus, for Moral, dragon boating has become both an escape and a reality-check.  “It gives me some space to have a better look at what’s happening around me – and empowers me to achieve more in what I do.”

THERE ARE DRAGONBOAT TEAMS WITH AN ALL GLBTQIA MEMBERSHIP (NOT BLUE PHOENIX). FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT TEAM PILIPINAS, THE PDF, OR DROP BY THE CCP COMPLEX EARLY MORNINGS ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS TO PERSONALLY COORDINATE WITH THE GROUPS - ED