MANILA, Philippines - The PDRT Fireblades copped the dragon boat championships in the Manila Bay Seasports Festival, dethroning last year’s Mixed Open champion Philippine National Police, and later edging out the members of the national women’s team for the men’s plum. The PNP Patriots, in turn, won the women’s team championship over Aqua Fortis.
Boatmen from Batangas and Cavite also sped to first place in the stock and formula races of the motorized banca competition, as pilots Randy Diaga on “Gabriel” and Marlon Morada steering “Malou” ruled the waters of Manila Bay.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim graced the opening ceremonies, with Mt Everest climber Noelle Wenceslao, also a member of the Philippine national dragon boat team, leading the oath of sportsmanship.
The Manila Bay Seasports Festival was presented by Manila Broadcasting Company and the City of Manila in cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard, Caltex, Gold Eagle Beer, Mountain Dew, Revicon, Splash Manufacturing Corporation, RFM, M. Lhuillier, Sunkist Iced Tea, Cord Marine Epoxy, and Briggs and Stratton.