𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 | 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗦: 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Report by Ellyza Jane Gutierrez | Layout by Leanna Kaylee Manuel

𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦-𝘩𝘰! 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦-𝘩𝘰! — a rhythmic chant echoes from across the water. Hurriedly and steadily slicing through the waters while donning vibrant hues and ornate scales... Is it a fish? Is it a ship? No, it must be a dragon!

Manned by twenty paddlers in ten rows, a drummer at the front, and a steersperson at the rear, a dragon boat is where everyone on board plays by the tempo to surge ahead, flaunting their synchronized power.

In the Philippines, aquatic sports rarely bask in the spotlight, ironic to say the least when we are literally surrounded by water. Recently, two swimmer athletes managed to get in the Paris Olympics to represent the country, yet there are still those who tend to be pushed aside. Marvelously, the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) continues to paddle through the global arena, making a name for themselves out there.

Founded in 2003, the PDBF stands firm as the Philippines’ national governing body for dragon boat racing — an aquatic discipline that is more than just a sport, but a cultural tradition that is celebrated by nations from all across the globe. This network is the largest dragon boat organization in the country, boasting 25 club team members and over 1,500 athletes, with top-tier teams coming from the Philippine military.

Despite their feats not getting much attention from the public eye, they have always been instrumental in propelling dragon boat racing to new heights. Bagging world records and championships, conquering international festivals and races, the list goes on and on for the PDBF who has consistently made waves and weathered the tides.

Through organizing competitions, conducting training programs, and representing the Philippines on the international stage, PDBF never wavered with their commitment to achieving excellence, which undoubtedly yielded remarkable results. Envisioning a nation where dragon boat racing is a mainstream sport, they seek people from all walks of life to help contribute to this goal.

Behind the competitive veneers, PDBF has been forming partnerships with government agencies, private organizations, and local communities. By collaborating with these stakeholders, they aim to increase participation, build world-class facilities, and elevate dragon boat racing’s profile. Reaching for such bourn can be a long voyage, but it definitely won't remain uncharted forever.

Passion fuels camaraderie, camaraderie births teamwork, and teamwork makes the dream work! At the end, it all creates a ripple, disturbing the reflection yet stirring movement on the once hushed water. Perhaps one day, the PDBF community can also induce such an impact on the radiant field of dragon boat racing and aquatic team sports in the Philippines.