Heroes' welcome laid out for six Negrense world champion rowers

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee may have snubbed world champion, the Philippine dragon boat racing team, but Negros Occidental and its local governments have set to honor next week the team, particularly its six athletes who are all from E. B. Magalona town of this province.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and E. B. Magalona Mayor David Albert Lacson said they are preparing a "heroes' welcome" to its homegrown athletes who were part of the Philippine dragon boat team that won five gold and two silver medals in the 10th International Dragon Boat Federation World Championship held in Tampa Bay in Florida, USA on August 5.

Marañon said the provincial government will shoulder the airplane fare of the six athletes and will give them P5,000 each in cash incentives and plaques of appreciation, while Lacson said the municipal government will also give P5,000 each to the athletes and host a luncheon party for them and their families.

The six athletes, who are cousins, are Salvador Sumagaysay, Joemar Ocquiana, Rico Pradilla, Crisanto Pabulayan, Junrey Dayumat and Ma. Aileen Padrones-all of them were fishermen and residents of Brgy. Latasan in E. B. Magalona.

It was Rico who first joined the team upon invitation by his cousin, Susan Dellomes, who once worked as house helper in Manila. Dellomes' employer was the one who recruited Rico in 1995. After a year, Rico invited his cousins until they formed the dragon boat team with members mostly natives of Latasan.

Latasan village chief Merlina Dioneo said they are now doing their best to help the town in giving a heroes' welcome to her six world-class athletes.

Lacson, for his part, said: "We will honor our very own paddlers, our heroes, so their stories and hardships will serve as inspirations to our young Saraviahanons (popular name for residents of E. B. Magalona) that there's nothing impossible if you set your mind to it."

Team Philippines, also known as "Dragon Warriors," beat participants from 17 countries, setting the world record in the 1,000-meter men's event with a time of 4 minutes 57 seconds.

Team manager, Phil. Army Maj. Harold Cabunoc, said other competing teams have been trying to avoid going head to head with the Philippine team, being the record holder in the small boat division of the IDBF World Championship in 2007 and 2009.

Team members included seven members of the Army, one from the Air Force, one from the Navy, and a retired Philippine Coast Guard sailor.

The of E.B. Magalona Municipal Council approved a resolution commending the Philippine team, especially the six Saraviahanon paddlers.

Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez has also filed House Resolution No. 1585 on August 8 congratulating and commending the Philippine dragon boat racing team.

Reports said the Dragon Warriors arrived in Manila yesterday (August 12), and are expected to go home to E. B. Magalona next week.

Meanwhile, the parents of Negrense paddlers yesterday aired their gripes over the lack of support by the government to the Philippine team even if they also gave honor to the country. — THE FREEMAN