Filipino Dragons

fitness

By Eugene Azucena

Paddles on the Water, Feet on the Ground

Millions of sports teams in the world run various fundraising and charitable events to cover many various costs. It may be for the team or for a chosen charity. The common ones for charities are food rations, educational aid, healthcare, clothing and the list goes on. Perhaps for other teams, they prioritise insurance, equipment and other necessary funds for their sports activities. To us, it is a mix of both — Sharing while maintaining team provisions.

Paddling a Stint of Voluntary Work
Our very popular and well attended fundraising event was the Mini-Olympics in 2010. We divided the team into four teams nicknamed: Tusong Matsing, Team Aling Charing, Drunk en Runners, and Bloody Pirates. The participating teams came in Green, Purple, Gold and Red, played Frisbee, Volleyball and some traditional Filipino Street Games all for a charitable cause. The event beneficiary was the Kids Cove Foundation. The brains of the event was Sheryl “Barbs” Barbasa, the team’s VP for Events.

Filipino Dragons (Singapore) or FDS, a member of the International Dragonboat Committee in Singapore is set to join a couple of races this April. The PA Paddle Championships on 16-17 April at the Water Venture, Bedok Reservoir and Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival 2011 on 28-30 April in the holiday island of Boracay, Philippines. In Boracay, the team will meet up with another charity partner, Letsshare.tv for some activities in collaboration with the said organisation.

Paddle Hard with a Helping Hand
When the team comes back from the Philippines, they are positioned to join yet another big event with the Ritz Carlton Millenia’s Management and Staff, 7th May 2011. It is a charity event partnership between the American hotel chain and FDS. Dubbed as “Paddle Hard with a Helping Hand”, is going to be the first time for the team to partner with Ritz Carlton. “We are all very excited for this event as it mirrors both the Filipino Dragons’ thrust in reaching out to the community and the hotel chain’s social and environmental responsibility programs.”, said Lyka Bontogon, Ritz Carlton Millenia Staff and Filipino Dragons (Singapore) team member.

Innovative Partnerships to Raise Funds for Charity
The event happening at the Kallang Riverside Park endeavours to raise funds for MINDS, a non-governmental organisation which caters to the needs of the intellectually disabled in Singapore. “Aside from the introduction of the sport to the Ritz Carlton Millenia’s workforce and building camaraderie among the Filipino Dragons, it will provide much needed help for children with life-limiting conditions by donating some school supplies to the event fund beneficiary.”, added Bontogon.

Team supporters and members who volunteered is spearheaded by Jen Macapagal and Kristine Gumabay. “Everyone is geared up for the half-day event. This is only one of the few events lined-up for this year. Aside from joining competitive races, we are also serious in putting up charitable activities on a quarterly basis.”, Macapagal shared. “We don’t just paddle to keep fit physically, we also paddle to extend our hearts and generosity, whilst keeping our feet on the ground.”

In June, the Philippines is commemorating its 113th year of Independence. In light of this, the Filipino Dragons (Singapore) has an electrifying event poised on 18th June 2011, “Isang Bangkang Malaya”| FDS & FilCom Fun Race Paddle for 113 Years of Independence. It’s gong to be an afternoon of fun and celebration with our fellow member organisations here in Singapore. Proceeds will go to the Letsshate.tv for charitable projects in the Philippines and in Singapore.

The Filipino Dragons (Singapore) continues to create venues such as “Paddle Hard with a Helping Hand” and “Isang Bangkang Malaya” for their members to express their kindness and so doing the fulfilment of the team’s 2011 mission to provide assistance, financial or otherwise to its chosen charities.

About Filipino Dragons (Singapore):

The Filipino Dragons (Singapore) is the first Philippine dragon boat team established in Singapore. The team was formally organized in December of 2008.

The first crew members comprise of Filipinos new in the sport and also, veterans from different teams in Singapore and also in the Philippines. A growing number of Filipinos who are enthusiastic about the sport along with their competitive spirit and national pride motivated the paddlers to establish their own team.

The objective of the team is to represent the Philippines in the sport of traditional dragon boat. Although this team represents the Philippines, locals and other nationalities have joined and trained with the team.

Filipino Dragons (Singapore) is affiliated with the Singapore Dragon Boat Association (SDBA). http://www.filipinodragons.org