Let it flow

It’s a gray and rainy Sunday in Manila and I am wedged somewhere in Plaza Mexico, on the Intramuros side of the Pasig River. That I have neither choked nor been knocked backward means that the air I expected to be toxic is actually fit for breathing. In fact, this particular portion of the river, once a center of economic activity until decades of industrialization turned it black, is now clean enough to host a dragon boat race.  

According to Dr.-Ing. Adolfo Jesus Gopez, president of the nearby FEATI University, the storied body of water used to be so pristine that regattas took place there when he was a young boy in the 1950s and 1960s. He points out that the buildings lining the riverbank easements — a mix of decaying art deco structures and rather bland low-rises — face away from the Pasig, underscoring the sad reality that factories and informal settlers have turned it into a huge sewer system over the years. “We should learn to respect the Pasig River so that it can reclaim its grand past and become a symbol of the Philippines,” he tells the crowd.

 The head of the academic institution is rightfully evangelical. From its beginnings as Feati Institute of Technology in 1946, founded by Dr. Salvador Zaragoza Araneta and Dr. Victoria Lopez de Araneta, FEATI is marking its 65th anniversary and is doing so in style. “We really wanted to celebrate with a huge event in the Pasig River because the university is situated next to it. It would be unconscionable to not step up to the call for its cleanup and rehabilitation,” shares Melanie Florentino, head of events and promotions. Thus was born “A Race to Raise Awareness for the Pasig River,” FEATI University’s first ever dragon boat competition.

With a paddle: Team Navy a.k.a. Fleet Marine, Manila Wave, and Buhi Lake race towards Jones Bridge

 As part of the U-Belt Consortium, a group that provides technical support towards the rehabilitation of the Pasig River’s tributaries or esteros, the school has considerable experience in spearheading green initiatives, from planting 200 trees at the La Mesa Watershed Nature Reserve to closing 2010 with an inter-school music competition for the environment. This time, FEATI would like to not only introduce the sport to college students in Manila, but to also bring attention to the ongoing effort to clean up and re-energize the Pasig. The Manila Bay is currently the default venue for dragon boat competitions and the university feels that it’s about time the Pasig River becomes the focus.

 The weather is dismal that day, but the mood is certainly electric. Mayor Alfredo Lim, a staunch supporter of FEATI’s sports activities, flexes his considerable charisma on stage, stating that rain is a blessing from heaven: “May the best team win!” The students’ frat-like chants of “Mayor!” Mayor!” are hilarious and doubtlessly encouraging. Dr. Eugenia Lagman, standing in for Gina Lopez, chairperson of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, then thanks those who have supported the cause and mentions the “almost 100% revival” of the Estero de Paco. “In four months’ time, the Estero de San Miguel will be clean,” she promises.     

Fueled by carbs, idealism, and the FEATI Brass Band’s rousing rendition of Katy Perry’s Firework, the 21 competing teams — all Spandex and sleevelessness — finally take to the water. Lake Buhi, an underdog team from Camarines Sur, paddles successfully from Plaza Mexico to the back of the Manila Post Office to bag the gold in the 500-meter Men’s Open, while Team Navy, aka Fleet Marine, does the same for the Mixed Men and Women’s category. Adding another kicky bullet point is FEATI’s own contingent who, quite amazingly, place first in the 200-meter Novice Mixed Men and Women’s division after only training five days before the actual race.

The amazing racers: The long trip was worth it for the Buhi Lake Dragon Boat Team from Buhi, Camarines Sur (center, in the yellow jerseys). The underdogs emerged as champions in the Men’s 500 meter race. To their left are 2nd placers Team Navy a.k.a. Fleet Marine while 3rd placers PDRT Fireblades are to the right

As festivities draw to a close, I start summing up the day in my head. First, I realize that these schools may have competed against one another, but their community spirit overrides whatever aggression is inherent in any sport. That they all banded together, even for just one day, for the Pasig River shows that their hearts are in the right place. Second, it dawns on me that all the organizations involved, from FEATI University and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission to the City of Manila, seem uncowed by the magnitude of the project. I guess the all-hands-on-deck approach, as seen today, has given them the guts to power on even if there’s still a lot that needs to be done.

Last, it hits me that although several teams have gone home slightly richer — both in cash and in experience — the real winner here is the Pasig River. With so many people conspiring to bring the river back to life, a Lazarus-like resurgence is bound to happen. When it finally does, at least I can say that I was there to witness the early stages of its rebirth and that, yes, I had a really awesome time.      

And they were all yellow: The Pilipinas Dragon Boat Team, onstage for a well-deserved tribute from race organizers and participants, brought pride to the country after winning gold, silver, and bronze medals in the 26th SEA Games in Palembang, Indonesia

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Agencies that provided manpower, logistical support and race management assistance include the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Federation; Philippine Coast Guard; Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission; Manila City Hall; Manila Sports Council and the Intramuros Administration.

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Thanks to major sponsor Petron and media partners Manila Times, Tribune, 96.3 Easy Rock, UNTV’s Sports 37, Crossover and UR Face Radio.

Special thanks to Melanie Florentino and Almond Duldulao.