My Top Blog Stories for 2013 Part One

THE YEAR THAT WAS

I know this is long overdue already. We’re halfway through January but as they say, better late than never.  

MY TOP ELEVEN BLOG STORIES FOR YEAR 2013

1.DRAGON BOATING INVADES BOHOL

Your Blogger with BPAi publicists: Rey Tirol & Dominic Aparicio

even Bohol's females have been bitten by the BPAi bug
 

Bohol Paddlers Association Inc (BPAi) single- handedly made dragon boating the hottest water sports spectacle in Bohol.

After a very successful staging of the Cobra Philippine Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew Challenge held at the scenic Tagbilaran City Bay in Dauis last April, interest and participation in drgon boat races here in Bohol has skyrocketed

A much- anticipated participation in the Penang International Dragon Boat in Malaysia last December 4 was aborted after the earthquake and super typhoon struck the Visayas

2.THE BABA YAP PHENOMENON

Tagbilaran City Mayor Baba Yap & First Lady Jane Cajes- Yap with daughter

Baba Yap defied all odds and got elected as Tagbilaran City’s youngest ever mayor. He parlayed his charisma, good looks, youth, relative experience and mass appeal into a hard- earned electoral victory. He was able to weather his first 100 days and is on his way to prove that youth is not a hindrance to be the city’s Chief Executive

3.MISS BOHOL SANDUGO COVERAGE

Your Boholano Blogger responded to the request from Boholanos from around the world for photos and information about the girls. 

Brigette Burato gave the Municipality of Alicia its first Miss Bohol Sandugo crown. 1^st RU was Miss Baclayon and 2^nd RU was Miss Talibon

L-R: 1st RU Ms Baclayon Shaila Rebortera, Ms Sandugo Brigette Burato, 2nd RU Ms Talibon Dae Narah Garcia 

 Pageant Chair Michelle Porticos, 2012 Miss Sandugo Idy Cagas & Bohol First Lady Pureza Chatto

4.PORK BARREL SCANDAL

Janet Lim- Napoles unwittingly became the most talked about personality when she was implicated along with a long list of senators and house representatives for alleged involvement in the PDAF brouhaha

5.MY BLOG TURNS ONE YEAR OLD

Last September 13, my blog reached a milestone: It turned a year older and wiser. Close to 200,000 hits later, the blog is still alive and kicking! Thanks to all of you for your support

COMING UP: Part Two

Who Wants To Be A Dragon Boat Paddler in Bohol?

POWER IN PADDLING

The exhilarating adrenalin rush. The pulsating heartbeat. The synchronized and rhythmic paddling of the teammates as try to achieve harmony, balance and unison in an exciting race down the wire

Welcome to the exciting world of dragon boating! The sport has attracted a steadily growing number of enthusiasts here in Bohol

INTERVIEW WITH BPAi 

L-R: Rey, Dobap & your blogger

And so in response to the mounting queries regarding membership requirements and to address pressing matters in the world of dragon boating in Bohol, , your blogger was able to corner and sit down with Dominic “Dobap” Aparicio and Rey Tirol, the very busybodies of Bohol Paddlers, inc. (BPAi) as they took turns answering my questions

It was an informal chitchat at their club headquarters along K of C Promenade

Can you tell us more about Bohol Paddlers’ Association, Inc?

Bohol Paddlers’ association Inc better known as BPAi is the umbrella organization for all paddling enthusiasts here in Bohol. 

Under the organization are groups of dragon boat enthusiasts, kayak paddlers, stand-up paddlers (SUP) and the local bigiw paddlers. Hopefully, sculling will be introduced also BPAi has been around for quite some time already but it is only now that it has generated some media buzz partly because of the sudden popularity of dragon boating in Bohol

# 1 Who can join the BPAi? 

Minimum age requirement is 12 years old, male or female and must be physically fit. 

One can join either as individual member and later look for a team within BPAi to join in OR register as a team with a minimum of 12 members. 

There is a one- time team registration fee of P1, 500 The ideal number for a team is 16 members. The team is composed of one steerer/ navigator, one drummer, 10 paddlers and four reserved

# 2 Is the sport expensive?

 Get the ultimate high! Enlist now

“Dili jud” (of course not) The most basic would be the following: sleeveless outfit or tank top, cycling shorts, beach footwear, sunglasses or shades for protection from the glare of the sun. 

Don’t forget your sunblock with SPF 50, lip balm and water bottle. Gloves are optional

Regular- priced paddles can be had for as low as P1,800.

For those who can afford the top- of- the line carbon fiber paddles, prices start at P20,000 

# 3 Does BPAi accept members who are non- swimmers? 

Of course, “bisan kinsa makaapil” (anyone can join)

We would prefer swimmers but it is not really a requirement and besides, the club provides every paddler with a life vest as a safety precaution 

# 4 So what else is required for those who are interested to join?

Potential members have to be team players for this sport is basically about group dynamics and interpersonal skills. Being the best paddler is not enough.

One has to be open- minded and must know how to cooperate 

# 5 So can brand- new members just show up at Caingget Beach, board the dragon boat and just paddle away?

Depends on the member’s exposure and experience with dragon boating.

Everyone is required though to join the Land Training & Physical Conditioning Training Sessions followed by regular practice sessions on most mornings at Caingget Beach 

After we wrapped up the short interview, I became more and more interested in joining especially when Rey and Dobap told me that it’s the perfect cardiovascular exercise plus it teaches dragon boaters the art of mental and physical discipline

So what are you waiting for?

For any questions and clarifications, just email your blogger or leave a message at my blog’s comment section

Happy Paddling!

For more on Dragon Boat Paddling in Bohol, here's the link:

The Dragon Boat Scene in Bohol

Bohol Paddlers Confirms Penang Int'l Dragon Boat Race Participation

The participation of Bohol Paddlers' Association, Inc. (BPAi) in the Penang Pesta Dragon Boat Race 2013 to be held at the Teluk Bahang Dam in Penang, Malaysia on December 7 & 8 is now OFFICIAL after submitting its confirmed entry form to the contest organizers.

This was revealed by Dominic "Dobap" Borja Aparicio of BPAi who said that the group is now finalizing the composition of team members 

BPAi's CONFIRMED ENTRY FORM
 

BPA which is proudly carrying the name of the province of Bohol in the said event will see action in the following categories:

- International Premier Men's Open 500 M Long Boat

- International Premier Women 500 M Short Boat

- International Premier Mixed 500 M Short Boat

- International Premier Mixed 2 x 250 M Short Boat 

The annual international sporting spectacle is fully supported by the Penang State Government and is an affiliated festival of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF)

Countries from around the world will be competing in more than 10 Categories for Men, Women & Mixed Teams

TEAM COMPOSITION

BPAi is now in the process of selecting 40 of the more than 120 members to make up the official team composition. Selection of team members will be based on physical strength, mental attitude, sense of teamwork and financial capacity

BOHOL'S FIRST- EVER PARTICIPATION

Bohol's participation in the forthcoming 2013 Penang Pesta Dragon Boat Race is very significant since it is the province's first- ever participation in an international dragon boat race. 

So far, initial talks with the prov'l govt and the private sector has been positive

According to Rey Tirol, one of BPAi's stalwarts said that Bohol's participation is a perfect opportunity for the province to gain not only exposure and experience but also an excellent marketing tool for the province to promote its tourism industry

Our participation is in congruence with our group's vision to make Bohol the paddling capital of Bohol

We need all the support in terms of financial assistance to help defray the group's expenses especially with the travel requirements & fees, meals & accomodations 

Ultimately, this would benefit not only the resorts & hotels but also the cottage industries & Bohol tourism's allied & related services 

So what are you waiting for? Let's paddle away for Bohol in Penang, Malaysia

WANT TO BE A BOHOL PADDLER?

For more information on how to be a dragon boat paddler, please check out their FB Group Page through this link:

Bohol Paddlers' Assn Inc

For those of you who might have missed out our coverage of the 2nd Cobra Philippine Dragon Boat Federation International Club Crew Challenge, here's the link for our coverage of the event last summer

The World of Dragon Boating

Bohol Competes in Penang Int'l Dragon Boat Race

MALAYSIA HERE WE COME!

Bohol Paddlers Association Inc (BPAi) will be testing the international waters so to speak

An elite group of Boholano dragon boat paddlers will be carrying the tricolors and name of our beloved Bohol when it competes in the Penang Pesta Dragon Boat Race 2013 to be held at the Teluk Bahang Dam in Penang, Malaysia on December 7 & 8 later this year

This annual international sporting spectacle is fully supported by the Penang State Government and is an affiliated festival of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF)

Countries from around the world will be competing in more than 10 Categories for Men, Women & Mixed Teams

TRAINING PREPARATIONS

Part of BPAi's preparations for their forthcoming participation in the international event is a grueling and punishing training schedule that includes Land Training & Physical Conditioning and Water Training & Paddling

Letter of Invitation 

Registration Form
 

DRAGON BOAT'S NEWEST HEROES

These newest Boholano sporting heroes have proven themselves already in the national scene when the placed in the Final Four of the very competitive 2nd Cobra Philippine Dragon Boat International Club Crew Challenge last summer

What made their victory even sweeter was the fact that they did it in front of their fellow Boholanos. Placing in the Top Four effectively silenced the critics and skeptics alike

Right now our Boholano dragon paddlers need more than just our moral support and Divine Intervention. Any assistance that can help defray some of their expenses for their training and competition are most welcome

RACE MARSHAL: Rey Tirol
 

SUPPORT BOHOL PADDLERS' ASS'N INC

Let us support our very own Boholano paddlers for after all, publicity they will generate will all be in the name of Bohol. Ultimately, Bohol's tourism industry and its allied industries would directly benefit from it

Mabuhi ang Bol-anon!