RP rowers fight world’s best in US

A Philippine Marine Corps-Dragon Waves Marina team with a full year of preparations behind it leaves Sunday for Philadelphia, eager to make waves in the world’s biggest and most prestigious dragon boat race.

Easily one of the most successful in the country, the 50-member squad tests its mettle in the fourth World Dragon Boat Racing Championship, which gathers 20 crack entries from all over the world in the chilly waters of Fairmount Park, Philadelphia Aug. 1-15.

The team, supported by Pharmaton capsules and managed by Ray Liwag of the Philippine Marines, will be the first from the country to compete in the world championships. But its members have no intentions of stopping there.

"We’re confident of doing well," said coach Dativo Romares from the Philippine Navy and one of the pioneers of the dragonboat in the country. "I think we have a good chance to win, given the amount of preparation we’ve poured into this tournament."

The meet has also attracted entries from Australia, Canada, China, Germany, England, Hungary, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macau, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and host the United States.

The Filipinos hope to hurdle all of them, and post what could be the most significant achievement by the country in this ancient Chinese sport.

If there is a team that could do the job, it is this one.

Since the sport made its debut in the country during the 1991 Southeast Asian Games in Manila, the Philippines has quietly made inroads to earn its place among the best dragonboat race teams in the world.

The Philippine Marine Corps, for one, is coming off a major victory in the fifth northern California Dragon Boat Championship held last year in Foster City, Ryan Park, California. It has also ruled tournaments with international casts in Australia, Canada and Thailand.

On the other hand, Dragon Waves Marina, which will collaborate with the Marines in the Mixed Team competitions, has established itself as one of the most dominant women’s squads in the country since winning four of five local dragon boat races in 1999.

Its biggest achievement came when it ruled the Hong Kong Dragon Boat race in 1999, in the process becoming the first from the Philippines to win in the premier event, while joining forces with the Philippine Navy team to top the mixed team and women’s categories.

"In terms of preparation, we have left no stone unturned," said team consultant Madel Puno. "We’ve been planning this stint since last year with Maj. Liwag, so by this time the team is already nearing peak form. Pharmaton has been kind enough to help us through the training sessions by providing us with a regular supply of their capsules."

Pharmaton has consistently been supporting sports events that demand a higher level of mind and body coordinations.

Competitions at the Schuykill River Race Course will be over 250 meters, 500m and the 1000m. "You need discipline and focus in all three races, plus good technique and timing, of course," said Romares.

Team members: Marines team: Orlando Ordonia, Noel Peres, Reynaldo Cumilang, Joel Medequiso, Marion Oronea, Donathan Dulla, Lino Col-ing, Reny Castro, Terry Dumdum, Teodoro Solimen, Alfredo Alegado Jr., James Rescar, Racquiel Espinosa, Ysmael Ursua, Salvador Daniel, David Alave, Santiago Suan, Lauro Baldeconza, Niel Calugtong, Jose Patricio, Federico Astesano, Eduardo Arguelles, Romel Gavilanes, Romar Morta, Dindo Fesico, Joel Angat, Lazar Sancho, Manuelito Padua, Henry Blas, Sany Boy Tagalog and Jeofrey Gonzales. Capt. Ronaldo Reario (training director)

The dragon Waves Marina: Puno, Vachell de Alban Jojielyn Siton, Marsha Salcor, Erlinda Poquiz, Joanna Franquelli, Mihama Aguam, Ellen Nuñez, Adeli dela Peña, Julie Amos, Charisse Sol and Michelle Henares.