The 5th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival

Boom ti ya! The awesome Bugsay Boracay Team

This morning I woke up thinking that the race is tomorrow. Boy did I feel the knots in my stomach. Then I realized that it's only wednesday (the race is on friday) and feeling just a little relieved, headed to our team's last practice.

After almost 2 months of training, coach says we're ready. Being my first competition as a paddler, I really can't tell. But I believe our team is strong and I'll choose to agree, with passion. :) Coach also said that having the medals is up to us, but for him, we already won. Figuratively AND literally, I'm claiming those golds. :D Team Bugsay, the gold medals are ours!!!

So wish us luck, pray for us or cheer us on. We'll need all the good vibes to propel us forward and beat everyone to the finish line, not to mention beat those darn knots out of our system.

Team Bugsay, let's win this thing! Kaboom!

Click on the link for details of the 5th International Dragonboat Festival.

All Aboard

Dragon boat season has started.
Sore arms, sore backs, dark skin, smiling, proud faces ahead.
Oars up!
:D

Isla Boheme: Life Is But A Dream

Another Dragon Boat-inspired post, ahihihi. This time a contribution to Isla Boheme. Check it out.:)

Silver Surfers

We won! We won! We won!

At the Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival last Friday and Saturday, my team bagged the Silver for the Women's and Mixed (men and women) 500m, Women's and Mixed 300m as well as the Bronze for the Men's 300m.

To say that the race was intense is an understatement. It was crazy, nerve-racking, it was emotional but most of all, it was SO MUCH FUN. As much as I would like to share the credit for these victories, the times we won were actually the times I wasn't drumming. Isn't that funny? :)

That's me, looking like one of the guys. I should really stop hanging out with them.

I was on the boat a total of 3 times. On my first heat (race), we were up against The Guardians (a bunch of gym nuts) and Fleet Marines, I repeat - MARINES. The Bugsay guys were so nervous, they were fidgety, they had trouble concentrating. We were hardly settled in the boat when BANG! - the gun fired. All of a sudden I could hear myself screaming like there was no tomorrow. "Power Longs! NOW!!!", "SABAAAYYY!" , and a lot of other rowing terms. Unfortunately, we lost that heat and the chance to go straight to the semifinals. I also got my first scolding from the Pacers (guys in the first row) who told me I shouldn't have commanded this and said that. Whoops.

That's us on the second row, getting creamed by the Marines and in a close tie with the Guardians.

Anyhoots, we got another chance to make it to the semifinals via Repassage, where we go up against other teams that didn't make their first race. This time, we beat them all. I clearly remember shouting: "We're ahead by one boat! GOOD JOB! Keep Goiiiiing!!!" And THAT felt really, really good. I could hear the crowd from the shore screaming, the guys had fire in their eyes and the boat just cut through the water like I was on a backward roller coaster.

We crossed the finish line and the guys raised their paddles as I unconsciously raised my drum stick in the air and screamed. Yeah, medyo OA, but really, I didn't mean it. It was the adrenaline.

I wish I could end my post here, but I just have to tell what happened next. We made it to the semis but lost again. The next day, for the 300m race, Coach asked me and the other drummer to take a rest and leave the drumming to him since the 300m is a tighter and more crucial race. And so on the 2nd day, with coach in command, we placed in all categories, as I once again enjoyed my place on the shore, screaming more comfortably.

The girls that kicked ass. All Bugsay partied in the water after the race.

Coach Jeff with the Bugsay Trophies and Medals. Trophies doubled as alcohol goblets during the party. :)

To the Bugsay team, CONGRATULATIONS! Boom ti ya!

The after party was great. We all got our medals (yes I have one, by default). And as the old timers were telling the newbies, those silvers were worth gold to them considering the fact that majority of the team are newbies and that we didn't train as long as the other teams did. Yup, we did pretty damn well.

So congratulations to us winning those silvers, also making us the most-awarded team! How about that? :) Next year, I think I'll take a seat amongst the rowers. It looks like fun too. Then maybe with my mouth shut and my arms paddling, we get the gold.

Team standings:

500m Races in the 4th International Dragonboat Festival (Apr 23):

Men's Open - Philippine Army, Fleet-Marines, Guardians & Boracay All-Stars

Women's - Stormy Dragons, Bugsay Boracay, Fleet-Marines, UP DB Team

Mixed - Fleet-Marines, Bugsay Boracay, TriBlades, Stormy Dragons


300m Races in the 4th Boracay International Dragonboat Festival (Apr 24):
Men's Open - Philippine Army, Fleet-Marines, Guardians & Bugsay Boracay
Women's - Stormy Dragons, Bugsay Boracay, Triblades & Fleet-Marines
Mixed - Fleet-Marines, Bugsay Boracay, Boracay All-Stars & TriBlades

Most photos courtesy of Sol & Shari Villagante. To see more Boracay Dragon Boat photos visit: ssvphoto.com

Roaaaaar!

Even before I came to this island, I already heard about a certain group of people called Bugsay Boracay. They are a Dragon Boat team, correction, THE Dragon Boat team that brought pride and fame to the island after winning competitions here and abroad.

As I watched my first Dragon Boat festival last year, I felt the weight and intensity of the race on the island. I actually found myself cheering like crazy on the shore with the rest of the residents and tourists. We were in our island version of world cup fever.

Funny thing is, this year, I will be shouting as part of the team.

Just a week ago, Bugsay fell short of a lady drummer / signal woman. They needed someone with a loud, commanding voice who can hold the team's focus and keep them in rhythm. Why they thought I would do is beyond me. Anyway, I said yes. Hehe.

After all, this is a 10 year old team, with seasoned paddlers and I should count myself lucky for being a part of them. I did think that they needed me for the women's team, but then I was made one of the boys (story of my life). Haha! Training has been really fun so far. After a week of twice-a-day practice, i have lost my voice and my throat and mouth hurt. Still, I'm psyched.

I'm not a rower, I guess I'm a roar-er. And it's a great responsibility. I am hoping that I do a good job and that I help the team win. Just to make sure, I have kept a vow of silence and have become quite anti-social to avoid using my voice. I've been chugging down a lot of ginger tea and have been counting and counting paddle strokes in my head.

The team has worked really hard and I believe we're strong. It's all up to the universe now. :) The Boracay Dragon Boat Festival will be this April 22-24, please, please pray for us! I can't wait to start roaring!

Attention! Ready, Row!!!

Boracay Dragon Boat Festival
Photo courtesy of: Boracaydragonboat.ph