NEWS
Boat racers win anew

Boat racers from Camarines Sur once more added another bead to their string of pulsating victories by winning the 2006 Dragon Boat Race last October 15 at Baywalk, Roxas Boulevard in Manila outlasting the gritty PNP team by four seconds in the six-team championship. The Camarines Sur team was the same group which won three events in an international dragon boat competition in Singapore last September 23 and 24. It was also the winner in the same venue at Manila Bay alongside Roxas Boulevard last May 6 and in Boracay, at the famed tourist destination in Aklan province on May 11 to 13 this year.

All the efforts are, however, only for fame and glory largely for the province of Camarines Sur because unlike in other sports events where cash incentives are routinely offered cash prizes are strangely not given at all in the boat racing competition, not even in the Singapore stint for which the provincial government spent more than P700,000.00 to foot the transportation and accommodation bills of the 25-member team.

Ruben C. Brazal, team coach and leader, admits that without the provincial government his team could not have made it even to Manila boat race since team members are common paddlers from Calabanga, Magarao, Canaman, Bombon, Camaligan, Cabusao, Gainza and Milaor who scarcely have money of their own.

The team has the potential to dominate boat racing in the country for years if only it could be able to practice regularly like other teams against which they have been pitted. But transportation even to the practice site is already a problem to the group. Most team members have to attend first to the basic needs of their families before they could even spend time to practice, Brazal lamented.

Moreover, they have to keep up with modern boat racing trends and improve their techniques to maintain their international reputation.

Members of the team according to Brazal are Jessie Asay, Gerby Bergonio, Bernardo San Andres, Jr., Norberto Euste, Edgar Tayao, Jorge Asay, Romeo Medina, Bernabe San Andres, Raul Borja, Joel San Andres, Arnulfo Comprado, Renante Borja, Erwin Tayao, Jesus Bermundo, Roberto Poyo, Larry Salcedo, Rodel Pineda, Erwin Rivera, Rodolfo Alma, Joventino Alma, Rogelio Morales, Roberto Morales, Jaime Buensalida and Alvin Tible.