P-Noy, AFP to honor Filipino paddlers

MANILA, Philippines - Members of the Cobra Philippine Dragon Boat rowing team who recently won five gold and two silver medals in the International Dragon Boat Federation World Championship in Florida will be having a courtesy call on President Aquino in Malacañang tomorrow.

The courtesy call will be made at 1 p.m., according to Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda.

“Since the President has an event in the morning, we were able to find them a schedule at 1 p.m. on Friday. So we will be more than glad to see our gallant Dragon Boat warriors,” he said.

When asked on where the Palace stands whether the rowing team should be given a reward for their successful feat, Lacierda said they are leaving the issue with the Philippine Sports Commission, which has jurisdiction over the sport.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces will bestow honors for the Filipino paddlers in the team for their stirring triumph.

“The AFP congratulates the Philippine Dragon Boat Team (PDBT) for bringing great pride and honor to our country and people. We are proud of the contribution of the AFP athletes who powered the PDBT to become world champions,” Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez said.

He added that what the PDBT has done would serve as an inspiration for all military personnel to give their best always, in whatever field they are in.

Lacierda said he hoped the paddlers “will continue to set an example of the excellence of the Filipinos in terms of sports and also the discipline that they performed in bringing home the bacon,” Lacierda added. – Delon Porcalla and Jaime Laude