Heroes' welcome set for 6 local members of dragon boat team

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  - A heroes' welcome for the six E. B. Magalona town residents, who were part of the world champion team of Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF), has been set at the Wilkinson Social Court on Tuesday, August 23, the day of their scheduled arrival in the city.

The awardees are Salvador Sumagaysay, 29, Joemar Ocquiana, 32, Rico Pradilla, 38, Crisanto Pabulayan, 30, Junrey Dayumat and Ma. Aileen Padrones-all cousins and residents of Brgy. Latasan in E. B. Magalona.

The PDBF 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.

The six paddlers will arrive at the Bacolod Silay Airport at 9:20 a.m. on Tuesday and will immediately motor to E. B. Magalona for a program, which will start 10:20 a.m.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., Rep. Albee Benitez (3rd district, Negros Occidental) and E. B. Magalona Mayor David Albert Lacson will deliver their messages during the program.

Lacson and other town officials will award the medals to the paddlers, while Marañon and Provincial Board Members Patrick Lacson and Manuel Frederick Ko, as well as the Municipal Council, will award them certificates of recognition.

Marañon, Benitez and Mayor Lacson will then give the paddlers their respective cash reward, reportedly P5,000 each. 

Radio station DyRL will also give its cash reward that it pooled from its listeners.

After the program, they will then have a press conference at 11:30 a.m. at the EBM Legislative Building, and a testimonial lunch at the Governor Joseph Marañon Memorial Hall.

"We will honor our very own paddlers, our heroes so their stories and hardships will serve as inspirations to our young Saraviahanons that there's nothing impossible if you set your mind to it," Lacson earlier said.

The PDBF, 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.  (FREEMAN)