Just when the Philippine military has been getting negative feedback for getting involved in anomalies in government, a ray of brilliant sunshine comes through when the country's dragon boat contingent won the gold medal in the short boat category in Tampa, Florida on 4 August, 2011.
The traditional dragon boat is composed of 22 rowers plus a steersman and pacer. The shortboat is composed of only 10 paddlers plus the usual steersman and captain. What's unusual is that the team that snagged the gold medal is made up mostly of military men: seven from the Philippine Army, one from the Air Force, one from the Navy, three from the Coast Guard. The steersman is Chief Ruperto Sabijon a retired PCG personnel and boat captain is Sgt. Usman Anterola of the Army. Team manager is Army Maj. Harold Cabunoc.
During the first round, the Philippine Dragon Boat team rowed almost unchallenged, setting a time of 4:59.79 with team Australia sailing behind. They needed a second win to seal getting the top spot. On their second heat, they were determined to get the gold medal and setting a new record in the process by clocking at 4:57.13. The Australian team put up a good fight to no avail as the our team was dead set on winning top spot.
The win is much deserved as the Dragon boat team has been getting no support from government. But love for the sport and passion saw them through as they trained day in and day out in Manila Bay through all types of weather. Their winning the gold medal should come as no surprise. In this country of 7,107 islands, we're completely surrounded by water, we have a strong maritime history, and we belong to a race that has been connected by seas. Government should, at the very least, provide some form of viable support for a sport the nation can be naturally brilliant in.
*As of this writing, the team won its second gold medal in Tampa, Florida.
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