Stroke

Dragon Boat consists of 10 pairs of paddlers. You could either be on the bow side or the stroke side. The bow paddlers stay on the left side of the boat while the stroke paddlers stay on the right. I row on the bow side.

One training day Beck, our coach asked us to switch sides. It was a little awkward rowing on the stroke side. Beck liked my form on the stroke side. Yesterday because only a few of us trained, we were short of stroke paddlers. So I was asked to row on the stroke side. Program: 4X500m, 3 sets 30 hards-20 longs, 3 sets 20 starts. Surprisingly nakakasabay na ako! Even if we were doing the hards and starts. I think I’m loving the stroke side already.

We’re preparing for the second leg regatta organized by the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation. It’ll be on July 18. Hopefully we’ll bring home some medals.

Good Morning Manila

First time to train on a Tuesday for the month of June. My arms were still in pain from yesterday’s Land Performance Test when I woke up this morning.
At the beginning when doing the warm up, my back got all wet already. The newbie seated at my back was splashy. The entry of his oar was not clean. The Manila bay waters woke me up! Program for today was 3 sets of 300m race course, sets of hards, light rowing. We got the chance to row on our opposite sides. Rowing on the stroke side was awkward but I got the feeling of putting my digging arm nearer my forehead. Even Beck, our coach noticed my stoke. She seems to like my form on the stoke side. She might have me switch side already. My only worry is, I might not be able to catch up when power longs, pick up, and last kick commands are called. I’m open to change though. Give me a few more trainings and I’ll get used to rowing on the stroke side.

UP Dragon boat Team Recruitment

The UP Dragon boat Team needs you! Learn how to paddle. Men, ladies, all of you are welcome. For inquiries message Team Captain Chino.

Training days:

Tuesday 6am-7.30am

Wednesday 5am-6.30am

Friday 5am-6.30am

Saturday 7am-8.30am

You don’t have to be UP student to join. Working people are very much welcome!

women's team first leg race (photo taken by bryan quesada)

One team… One family… UPDT

April 22-24, 2010

4^th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival

It was my first time to join the race. The highlight of my Dragon Boat life, I must say. The icing on the cake was the fact that the women’s team reached the finals of the 500m event! How amazing was that. To think that we have been practicing more on the 300m.

Most of our huddles were very emotional. Most were in tears while praying or giving motivation to each one. “Sila may talent. Malalalaki at likas ang angking galing.Tayo pinaghihirapan natin. Pinageensayuhan. Puso ang labanan.” We were praying and asking the Lord to take us to the semis. Right then and there the Lord answered us. Mark, our team manager announced that we’re off to semis 300m event. We were up against the Fleet Marines and the Hongkong team. They’ve got the height and strong, long arms. We’ve got the passion, drive and our hearts to paddle till the finish line.

Took home a shiny, heavy medal and ended the entire event with some booze and danced out our happiness.

photo taken by Cha Nicart

Bry recruited me to the team. I never imagined myself waking up 4am in the morning and actually rowing in Manila Bay, ang dagat ng basura. I accepted the invitation for the sake of trying out the sport. It’s my first team sport and I didn’t know it was an emotional one! I especially love the encouraging words each one gives while rowing to the finish line. “Tara UP! Let’s go this boat! Palakas yan! Partner tara!” The words help drive out more energy and strength my body has.

I told myself, after the Boracay race, I’d lay low from the sport. My thinking was, I just went in for the experience. But then during one dinner, Patrick, Bry and Me had a conversation. Pat: Gene, train pa tayo ah. I was silent because I don’t have plans of pursuing. I don’t see myself paddling forever. Gene: Eh balak ko nga after Bora ayoko na. Sinubukan ko lang naman eh. Bry: Gene! Wag! Train ka pa.. sayang naman nandun na momentum mo. Back to zero ulit women’s pag nabawasan pa. Solid na kayo eh.

I’ve become attached to the team because of the Boracay experience. I gained new friends and found another family. I’ve come to love the sport as well. So yeah, I’ll train more and go for First place.

Tara UP, LABAN!

photo from Trixie Ballesteros

Chuck

"He's the secret. She's the agent."

The first time I heard about the series Chuck was from Marie. She was watching it on her ipod, laughing from time to time. Yesterday I was at my cousin’s house. He was watching a series on their wide screen. Curious what it was, he answered, “CHUCK”.  “Maganda ba yan?”,  I asked.

Anyway to cut the story, I’m now watching Chuck Season 1. It’s a mix of intense high action and slapstick comedy at times. Witty and funny remarks by the lead character, who else? But Chuck!

I found myself screaming, cursing, laughing, feeling nervous when watching it. Super mixed emotions! I never thought I’d get hooked. I just tried watching it because I’ve got nothing to do. Hahaha. It’s summer and I’m a bum. I’ve got all the time I have!

By the way, 2 days to go and I’m off to Boracay for the “Boracay International Dragon Boat Race”. Yey! It’ll be my third time to race. Hopefully we’ll bring home some medals. Good luck UP DRAGON BOAT TEAM!

Three Training Days

Exactly three more training days today before we fly to Boracay for the Dragon boat race. It sucks I woke up late and was not able to attend the training today. Arrgh! I’ve got two more left to attend.

Let’s do this! Let’s go UP Dragon Boat Team, LABAN!!

Unibersidad ng Pilipinas–LABAN

Manila Ocean Park Second Regatta

My second dragon boat race! I loaded the mixed team-10pairs of  women/men paddlers. We finished second in heat which automatically took us to the semi finals.

We were all psyched up for the semi finals! First two goes to finals. On the loading area we were motivating each other, screaming out our nervousness. We were up against the navy team, aqua, and triton. The start signal took so long! The girl kept on asking the teams to back water, row forward, hold then suddenly pushed the trigger when our boat wasn’t aligned yet! Our starts was great. I felt the boat move quick and it wasn’t heavy at all.

Navy finished first! Close fight between UPDT and Triton. We had no idea who finished second.

Back to the waiting area, even the rest of the team doesn’t know who finished second. Moments later, Bry came huddling the team, “Guys announcement, SECOND TAYO!!” Whoa!! Everyone shouted for joy. Trixie cried for joy! We huddled for prayer, thanked the Lord.

We almost made it to the finals! All of us thought finally UPDT is off to finals. But then our team wasn’t called out for the final heat. Apparently there was a misunderstanding.  SAD! Still all good. We improved. Imagine we came close to the navy team. A few more trainings and we’ll definitely taste the sweet victory!

Unibersidad ng Pilipinas—LABAN!

Side story during the Men’s heat…

During the race, UPDT’s boat swerved big time and bumped into PDBRT’s boat which brought them to the side of the race course. Idol, UPDT’s timon managed to countere the swerving but wasn’t able to compensate that much, thus bumping into another team to their right. What an accident! Idol admitted that the oar accidentally slipped on his hand. The rest of the surprised spectators had a commotion. We had a different timon the rest of the race. We kept on saying sorry every time we pass by the teams we bumped during the race.

First Dragon Boat Race (March 21, 2010)

It’s my first ever Dragon Boat Race at Manila Bay! The race was organized by the Manila Broadcasting Corporation. I wasn’t thinking about the race on the way to Manila, not until we passed by the truck loaded by the PNP team wearing their red uniform.  So, they’re joining the race!

Early morning, Roxas Blvd was so busy and full of people. One side of the street was closed because of a running and biking event.

Past 6.30 we got to the area where the rest of the teams stayed. Our team was beside La Salle and PDBRT (Philippine Dragon Boat Rowing Team).

Time to race!

First heat women’s team. My heart was pounding hard as we loaded the boat. The only strategy according to Beck, was to finish first. We were up against I forgot the team.. The program- 30 hards, longs, pickup, last kick. On the boat were Wina was our lead, Idol our timon, and 5 pairs of lady paddlers.

Result: UPDT womens first in heat! Yippee despite the funny false finish we had.The 300m race had 3 markers. The middle mark indicated last 100m. When we reached that mark, I hear the “easy” command from Wina. The girls at the back including me were screaming and stopped paddling. Only to find out that the end was at the third marker. Good thing everyone reacted quick to Wina’s command to paddle again. Ok so.. we did last kick twice! Tiring but fun.

The second event I loaded was the mixed team, 8 pairs of paddlers men and ladies combined. The boat was a lot lighter compared to the first event since there were more paddlers. In front of me were Dexter and Patrick whose job was to push us girls at the back to paddle and pace with them. We finished first on heat! Good Job UP!!

We didn’t reach the finals though. Sad but all good. I had fun. The tambay and waiting for the event was the best. Chit chat, eating, picture taking, joking around made the day a happy happy one.

There will be another race this coming Sunday organized by the Manila Ocean Park. Hopefully we’ll do better this time.

A nice cold shower after getting soaked from the waters of Manila Bay (Photo from Yves)

Time Trial

Left the house around 7.10am to meet Klar, Isa and Neka at Mcdo Katip. We headed to the bay for our first time trials at 9am.

I was not that nervous. I wasn’t thinking about it. It finally sank in that this was it when we saw Gil, Bek, Talna, Paw arrive.

Bry sent us kerls tips how to go about the time trial. He said, “relax lang gling to the starting area. Wag magpakapaogd, form check lang. Makinig sa program and command ng timon. Tapos hinga ng malaim lalo na kapag longs na! Para mabawi from the starts. Finish hard!”

The heat of the sun was intensely hot. I decided to wear my rashguard and put on lots of sunblock. Past 9am, Bek (UP Dragon boat Team’s coach) started listing the attendance and paired us up. Isa and I were partners.

Minutes later we headed to the docking area.

Time Trial Setup:
There were 2 small boats and 2 timons (Bek and Gil). Time trial is by pair. Timers were Talna and Ate Ina.

First Pair- Mona and Paw.
Second Pair- Isa and I
Third Pair- Klar and Luchi
Fourth Pair- Neka and Cecile
Fifth Pair- Yves and Pez
Sixth Pair- Manix and Pat
Seventh Pair-Laurie and Ron
Eighth Pair- Talna and Ate Ina

My heart started pounding as I was loading the boat where Bek was. I prayed for strength as I was rowing to the starting point. Bek instructed me to start with 30 hards, drop full blade of the paddle.

Gil, from the other boat where Isa was commanded the start. “Oars up! Roooowww!!!! It was the longest row ever. My back was aching from doing the twist, my arm from doing the recovery and quick pull. I was anticipating the command “easy” which signals I can already stop. Whew! Finally over.

Back to the waiting area, Klar and Neka were cheering Isa and I. “Let’s go mga k0ya!” Wow it was tiring!

Apparently time trial wasn’t over. We had to be timed twice because the 2 boats differ in weight. Bek’s boat was heavier than Gil’s. No! I don’t want a repeat performance. One is enough, two is too much!

Anyway, I got it over with. Right after the second trial I rushed to the bathing area. We have a family lunch at Project 8, Quezon City. Tita Irene has arrived from I don’t know where.

Mom and I arrived past 1pm. Everyone has eaten already. There were lots of food served. Pancit, bbq, lasagna, chosuey, baked tahong, cake, buko salad. I was soo full!

While momi and I were eating, the rest were watching a live streaming of Pacquiao vs Clottey boxing match. There was no sound though. After 12 rounds, Manny was announced winner! We didn’t hear the announcement. We just saw him raising his two arms, sign of victory, haha!

It’s a fully loaded Sunday! Fun fun. Now time to switch to acad mode.

Ladies Boat

I woke 3.40am rushing. Dragon Boat training today. Call time at the bay is at 5am, 5.30am loading time. Our (Bry, Jayjay, Manix, Neka, Klar, Isa) usual meeting time/place is at McDo Katip 4am.

By 5.15am we were at the bay. Usual stretch and warm up. We loaded 2 boats today. Women’s and men’s team. It was so nice to see an all women boat!

Program for the day was intense. We had drops, 80-60-40-20 powerlongs, 300m, 3pairs, half boat, last kick. Whew! It was tiring but fulfilling. I used to stop when we do hards, but now I can manage to finish.  Nice training! I enjoyed it.

Tomorrow we might have the time trials since there’s a race on March21. It’ll be my first time.  I hope to have a good time and to have the strength to finish the 300m.

Photo-attendance taken by Cat’s camphone