With no support from the government (even denouncing their status as national athletes) and after managing to scrounge support from the private sector, the small contingent from the Philippine Dragonboat Federation pushed through to Florida and proved that a sports fedaration doesn't need to kiss Peping Cojuangco's chin to be the World Champs.
OPPRESSED BY BABALU
The Philippine Dragon Boat Team was stripped off of its national athlete status after the Philippine Olympic Committe (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) withdrew all forms of support for the team allegedly because the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF), the organization that handles the Dragon Warriors, was not in good terms with POC Chair Peping Conjuangco. Cojuangco allegedly wanted his own men seated in PDBF. In June, during the critical stages of practice for the up coming World Championships, POC and PSC directed the team to vacate the docks and surrender the boats.
PADDLING AWAY TO WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN NEXT
In the World Championships, the Philippine Dragon Boat team bagged 5 gold medals, one of which was in the Premier 1000m event (small boat) for setting a world record time of 04:57.130 tying that of Senator Lito Lapid in time spent in the senate premises during his previous 6-year term.
The rift between Philippine Dragon Boat Federation and POC/PSC started when PDBF officials rejected the move of POC Chair Peping Cojuangco to place one of his men in the PDBF Board who turned out to be Christopher Lao.
According to Marcia Cristobal, President of PDBF, there was no doubt in her mind that the Dragon Warriors will win the World Championship despite all odds. She added that nothing can prepare a dragon boat team better than twice a day practice in murky waters of Manila Bay and questionable leadership from POC and PSC.
In a press conference POC Chair Peping Cojuangco extends his apology to PDBF and the Philippine Dragon Warriors for stripping them off of their national athlete status. Cojuangco said angrily, "I wasn't informed. Nobody said stop. It's like people were just waiting for me to just do that (commit an epic fail)."
After learning that Peping Cojuangco tried sticking his nose on PDBF, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima immediately placed Cojuangco's chin on immigration watch list.
It's amazing that despite the POC alleged oppression of PDBF, the Philippine Dragon Boat Team has managed to do extremely well in the World Championships. POC now plans to also strip off Smart Gilas Basketball and Team Pilipinas Azkals Football of national athlete status.
MY ONE PESO IN EXCHANGE FOR MANILA BAY TRASH
Que music:
"Kay dilim at kay ginaw sa kalawakan ng dagat. Ubod lakas kung humiyaw ang galit na hanging habagat..."
The success of the Philippine Dragon Boat Team is a dramatic story of triumph against adversity; of never giving up despite of continuing challenges (thrown by POC and PSC) and of true love for the sport of dragon boat racing.
"... Ating liliparin, may harang mang sibat. Ating tatawirin, daluyong ng dagat..."
It is heartbreaking that these champions had to sell trash that they've collected in Manila Bay to sustain their training. In one of the international competition held in Boracay, these champions had to sleep in public school rooms, while lesser teams from other countries sleep in hotel rooms. Stripped off of their funding, these champions still fought for the glory of their country and refused to be victims of maneuverings of power-hungry politicians.
These champions deserve our support. Ipaalam natin sa gobyerno na hindi karapat-dapat ang trato nila sa mga bayaning tulad ng Philippine Dragon Boat Team.
"...Basta't kasama mo ako, iisang bangka tayo. Anuman ang mithiin ay makakamtan natin..."
ISANG BANGKA by THE DAWN
Sensya, Asia Brewery (makers of Cobra Energy Drink), wala akong maisip na mas bagay na kanta eh. Hehehehe!
All photos were taken from Philippine Dragon Boat Federation Facebook Fan Page. Do not forget to "Like" them.
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