World- Class Dragon Boat Paddlers from Bohol

World- Class Boholano athletes Dr. Joanne Flores and Rain Calimbayan recently won gold medals in the 21st Annual Kaiser Permanente, Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival in the United States. 

 Dragon boat paddlers Flores & Calimbayan w/ Tagbilaran City Mayor Baba Yap,

City Accountant Beben Inting & City Administrator Edi Borja


.

The lone duo from Tagbilaran, Bohol was chosen to be part of the Philippine Dragon Boat Alliance which bagged gold in the Women, Mixed, and Men's Category and was declared Champion in the Visiting Team Competition.

Cheers to Rain & Joanne!

Join the BPAi's Dragon Boat Regatta Photo Contest!

3rd Quarter BPAi Dragon Boat Regatta

Photography Competition 2014 

CONTEST MECHANICS

A. CONTEST THEME

The 3rd Quarter BPAi Dragon Boat Regatta Photography Competition 2014 will adopt the theme:  “Bugsay na Bai! (Let's Paddle, Buddy)”. 

Entries must strictly adhere to the competition’s theme. Photographs should be able to capture the varied facets of this water sport that promotes discipline, unity, teamwork, symmetry & balance. 

Images should therefore depict not only the joy & excitement of dragon boating but also the drama, the agony & the intensity as reflected in the faces & body language of the paddlers & spectators.  

Submitted entries must be photographs taken during the 3rd Quarter BPAi Dragon Boat Regatta on Saturday, October 25.

B. WHO CAN JOIN

• Participants must be at least 13 years old.   

• The contest is open to all professional & amateur photographers and hobbyists.

• BPAi members are disqualified from joining the competition

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

1) Each submitted entry must be entrant's original creation.  

2) Each participant is allowed to submit a MAXIMUM OF TEN (10) ENTRIES ONLY.

5) The entry cannot have been submitted previously in a promotion of any kind or exhibited or displayed publicly through any means

6)The entry must demonstrate & depict the contest theme  

A  PARTICIPANT  IS  NOT  ALLOWED  TO  USE  MULTIPLE  E‐MAIL ADDRESSES  IN  SENDING  THEIR  ENTRIES.  A  PARTICIPANT  WHO  SUBMITS HIS/HER  ENTRIES  USING  MULTIPLE  OR  DIFFERENT  E‐MAIL  ADDRESSES WILL  BE  DISQUALIFIED FROM THE COMPETITION. 

PHOTO & IMAGE REQUIREMENTS

1) Photographs should be in digital format/file.  Only photos/images emailed to boholpaddlers@gmail.com will be accepted

2) Photographs to be submitted should have no watermark. There should be no identifying mark on the images to eliminate any bias during the screening and judging of the submitted photos. 

3) All submitted digital files must be 300 dpi (dots per inch), in JPEG or JPG format, and at least 1,000 pixels on one side (whether image is vertical or horizontal). 

4) Submitted entries must be in full color.  Photos in Black & White  or  Sepia  are  not allowed.

5) The  entry  to  be  submitted  should  be  an  image/photo  with  a  corresponding “photo  title”. A photo caption is optional. If a caption is included, the caption must indicate the place where the image was taken, and must have an accurate description of what the photo is about.      

6) Each photo entry shall be provided with the following information: (i) title (caption is optional) , (ii) name of photographer.

7) The following photographs or images are disqualified: 

o Photographs that have been previously submitted or have won in any local or international photography contest.

o Photographs that violate a person’s rights including, but not limited to copyright and privacy.

o Photographs that contain obscene, sexually explicit, offensive or any other objectionable or inappropriate content.

o BPAi  will disqualify  photos  that  are  digitally  enhanced  or  altered  for  creative purposes.  Altered  images  refer  to  photographs  manipulated  and  applied with  special  effects  (colorizing, toning, collage, photo composites, stitched panoramas, high dynamic range or HDR images, etc.).  

Only  minor adjustments  acceptable  to  BPAi in  the  color,  sharpness,  contrast  or digital equivalents are allowed.

BPAi  reserves  the  right  to  disqualify  any  photograph  or  image  at  any time for any cause.

HOW TO ENTER:   

Step 1: Log on to your Facebook account and visit the group’s Official Fan Page “BOHOL Paddlers Association INC. ”  & click on the LIKE icon.

Step 2: After LIKING & SHARING the page, submit your complete name, age & email address as private message in the page’s inbox. This will serve as your entry for future raffle draws done through electronic means

Step 3: Send your CONTEST entry via email to boholpaddlers@gmail.com

DEADLINE FOR ENTRY SUBMISSION

Deadline  for  the  online  submission  of  entries  is  on  October 25, 2014  (Saturday)  at 6:00  p.m.  Entries  submitted after the set deadline will be rejected.

SCREENING OF ENTRIES/PHOTOGRAPHS

BPAi will form an executive committee that will review all submitted entries and, in its sole discretion, choose the top ten finalist photographs from the submissions received.

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING

The top ten finalist photographs will be chosen based on the following criteria:

• Adherence to theme/Content 

• Creativity and Originality 

• Photographic Quality 

• Visual Impact 

HOW THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN

1) BPAi will then post the Top Ten Finalist Photographs at its Official FB Page “BOHOL Paddlers Association INC.” 

2) Page visitors shall immediately vote for their favorite photo by clicking on the LIKE & SHARE icons that corresponds with their photo of choice.

3) Each site visitor may vote only once.

4) The winning photograph shall be the photograph that receives the most LIKES from visitors to the FB Page during the period identified by BPAi.

VOTING DURATION TO BE ANNOUNCED

Start & end of voting will be announced right after the Top Ten Finalist Photographs have been determined.    

PRIZES AT STAKE

One Grand Prize winner will be declared from among the Top Ten Finalist Photographs and will receive Three Thousand Pesos (P3,000.oo), a Trophy & a special news feature

OTHER CONTEST PROVISIONS/CONDITIONS

BPAi shall have the exclusive use of the photo entries of the Top Ten Finalists for the group’s various marketing collaterals and communication.  This means  that  the  Grand Winner/Photo  Owner  of  the  winning  entry & the rest of the top ten finalist photographs cannot resell or make use of his/her photo  for other purposes except  for his/her official portfolio.

The photos of the Top Ten automatically becomes the property of BPAi.   

ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS

Winners will be announced on BPAi’s Official Facebook Fan Page exactly two weeks after the top ten finalist photographs have been posted in the page.  Date of awarding of prizes and other details will be announced later.

The decision of the Board of Judges is Final. The organizer shall have the right not to entertain any protest or complaint after the final decision of winners has been made.

CATCH THE FEVER AND EXCITEMENT! BE THERE WHEN IT HAPPENS!

Get to know more about dragon boating & other fitness activities in Bohol thru this link:

Sports, Health & Fitness

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 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! 

Be a Dragon Boat Paddler in Bohol

Dragon boating seems to be the hottest team sport in Bohol right now. 

Bohol Paddlers Association Inc better known as BPAi is currently riding on the crest of its stunning victory over the more established dragon boat teams from all over the country.

They achieved this during the 2nd Cobra Philippine Dragon Boat Federation Int'l Club Crew Challenge held here in Bohol last summer

BPAi is reaching out to the Boholano public and is tirelessly promoting the fledgling sport even as it is besieged with a thousand and one inquiries about the sport

IN COMMUNE & BEING ONE WITH NATURE

BPAi embraces the philosophy that paddling is not merely to be in harmony with fellow paddlers or to be in rhythm with precision and perfect timing. 

To paddle is to be attuned with nature and to be more appreciative of the beauty of our environment

Call them paddlers or dragon boat enthusiasts but one thing is for certain:

They paddle to be aware

Every paddling activity exposes every paddler to newer horizons and gives them a keener insight and a better perspective in maintaining the delicate and very fragile balance of nature  thus helping them better understand how each one can contribute to stopping the wanton destruction against the environment and helping rebuild it

VISION & MISSION OF BPAi 

Its vision is to make Bohol the paddling capital of the Philippines and its mission is not only to promote the sport of paddling in the grassroots level but also to push for environmental awareness, to promote physical fitness, to foster team- building activities and to make the sport a sustainable proponent to help boost our local tourism industry

BPAi Training Schedules:

A) Land Training & Physical Conditioning

- every MWF, Pres. CPG Sports Complex, 5:30 am-  7:30 am

B) Water Training & Paddling- every T-Th- Sat, Kaingget Beach Club, 5:30 am- 7:30 am

See them in action during their regular practice sessions on most mornings at Kaingget Beach as they train hard and paddle to perfection in preparation for the regatta races attended by teams from all over the Philippines

BPAi Quarterly Regatta Race Calendar for 2013:

Dauis Fiesta Team Tune- Up Race Aug 17 

Tagbilaran Strait, Dauis, Bohol

Rajah Day Regatta Sept 28-29 

Tagbilaran Strait, Dauis,Bohol

Other upcoming events:

Octoberfest Dragon Boat Competition (TBA)

Rizal Day Regatta November 30 (TBA)

WANT TO BE A BPAi MEMBER?

For those interested to join this exciting sporting activity, you may contact my friend Rey Tirol  0915 2461 329, Aries 0917 6344 782, Abby 0917 3045131, Doc Doyet 0917 3220 247, Clark 0920 7341 295 and Atty Rain 0917 3250 592

What are you waiting for? Join now!

2013 Bohol Dragon Boat Race Winners

Dept of Tourism Central Visayas Regional Director Rowena "Weng" Montecillo together with Judy Quiachon strike a pose with the Bohol Paddler's Association dragon boat team. Also seen is Rey Tirol, one of the group's pillars and founders

The presence of the Department of Tourism and the enthusiastic support given by the DOT Region 7 Director Rowena Montecillo to the four- day event is already indicative of the potential of the event to draw in tourists and visitors. 

Thank you Ms Weng and to your staff for the assistance and the support

Prayer before the Race

The recently- concluded 2nd Cobra- International Dragon Boat Federation International Club Crew Challenge held in Dauis, Bohol truly lived up to its billing as the hottest and most exciting sporting spectacle to hit the province this summer

BPA Ladies surely  know how to beat the heat

HUGE TURNOUT

The event drew more than 600 paddlers from 14 dragon boat teams, team managers and sponsors from all over the country. 

The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) came in full force and led by its president, Marcia Cristobal.

The two- day hostilities that consisted of eight final races in three categories saw frenzied action from the competing teams that included champion teams Philippine Army and Philippine Navy. 

When the waters had quieted down and the paddles had been hauled away for safekeeping, everyone was in for a pleasant surprise. 

The much - anticipated neck-and- neck race for the overall championship between the highly- rated teams didn't materialize. 

NEW CHAMPIONS:

Coming out from nowhere to claim the Overall Championship was the Philippine Coast Guard followed closely by the Cinderella runner up finish of Lake Buhi Dragon Boat Team, composed of humble fishermen from Buhi, Camarines Sur. 

IMPRESSIVE DEBUT FROM BOHOL

The neophyte teams from Bohol didn't disappoint either. Three of their four teams landed in the Top Four of their respective race categories. 

Disbelief and doubts turned into instant respect and adulation with their impressive showing in their first ever PDBF- sanctioned dragon boat regatta. 

Butuan City's Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Dragon Boat Team, composed of young college students, did well also and were the certified darlings of the crowd for their good- looking paddlers who were so disciplined and focused in their races. take a bow young men and women from FSUU. 

Here are the official complete final results of the event:

PDBF FINAL RESULTS

There are eight official races in a PDBF- sanctioned race under three distance categories:

1.Long Distance                       2000 Meters

a)       2000 M Open Event Long Distance

b)       2000 M Mixed Event Long Distance

2.Middle Distance        500 Meters

a)       500 M Women’s Small Boat Sprints

b)       500 M Mixed Standard Boat Middle Distance Event

c)       500 M Open Standard Boat Middle Distance Event

3.Sprints                      200 Meters

a)       200 M Mixed Standard Boat Sprints

b)       200 M Open Standard Boat Sprints

c)       200 M Women’s Small Boat Sprints

2000 Meter Long Distance Category

2000 M Open Event Long Distance

Rank	Team	Time
1st	Lake Buhi	9:13.48
2nd	Philippine Army	9:33.11
3rd	Philippine Navy	9:48.81
4th	Onslaught Racing Dragons	10:03.07

2000 M Mixed Event Long Distance

Rank	Team	Time
1st	Lake Buhi	9:33.14
2nd	Philippine Coast Guard	9:36.45
3rd	Philippine Navy	9:41.45
4th	Triton A	10:14.89

500 Meter Middle Distance Category

500 M Women’s Small Boat Sprints

Rank	Team	Time
1st	Philippine Coast Guard	02:27.78
2nd	Triton A	02:31.01
3rd	Triton B	02:45.19
4th	Rowers’ Club Philippine Sea Dragon (RCPSD)	02:48.00

500 M Mixed Standard Boat Middle Distance Event

Rank	Team	Time
1st	Philippine Coast Guard	02:00.00
2nd	Philippine Navy	02:00.69
3rd	Triton A	02:03.72
4th	Lake Buhi	02:06.31

500 M Open Standard Boat Middle Distance Event

Rank	Team	Time
1st	Lake Buhi	01:56.42
2nd	Philippine Army	01:57.26
3rd	Philippine Navy	01:57.90
4th	Bohol Crabhouse	02:05.86

200 Meter Sprint Category

200 M Mixed Standard Boat Sprints

Rank	Team	Time
1st	Philippine Coast Guard	00:44.52
2nd	Lake Buhi	00:45.94
3rd	Philippine Navy	00:48.24
4th	Triton A	00:50.44

 200 M Open Standard Boat Sprints

Rank	Team	Time
1st	Philippine Army	00:41.27
2nd	Lake Buhi	00:43..32
3rd	Philippine Navy	00:44.37
4th	Bohol Paddlers Assn 1 (All- Male)	00:54.06

 200 M Women’s Small Boat Sprints

Rank	Team	Time
1st	Philippine Coast Guard	00:58.50
2nd	Philippine Navy	00:58.76
3rd	Triton	00:59.19
4th	Bohol Paddlers Assn 2 (All- Female)	01:05.60

OVERALL RESULTS

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Total Won	Rank
Philippine Coast Guard	4	1	1		6	1st
Lake Buhi	3	2		1	6	2nd
Philippine Army	1	2			3	3rd
Philippine Navy		2	4			4th
Tritons		1	3	2	6	5th
Bohol Paddlers Assn 1 & 2				2	2	6th
Onslaught Racing Dragons				1	1	7th
Rowers’ Club Philippine Sea Dragons (RCPSD)				1	1	7th
Bohol Crabhouse Team				1	1	7th

Note:  Nine of the 14 teams placed in the different race categories

Smart Communications

Special 200 Meter Open Small Boat Race

“Live More Challenge”

Rank	Team	Time
1st	Philippine Army	50.36
2nd	Philippine Navy	50.63
3rd	Lake Buhi B	51.87
4th	Onslaught Racing Dragons	52.60

Elimination Round Results

Rounding out the rest of the Top Ten:

Rank	Team	Time
5th	Lake Buhi A	00:53.89
6th	Triton A	00:54.16
7th	Dauis Bellevue A	00:55.14
8th	Dauis Bellevue B	00:55.27
9th	Bohol Crabhouse A	00:55.96
10th	Bohol Paddlers’ Assn 1	00:56.40

Philippine Dragon Boat Federation Race Officials

RACE JURY

1. Marcia S. Cristobal	Chief Official
2. Ruperto Sabijon	Chief Umpire
3. April May Bonoan	Chief Judge

RACE OFFICIALS

1. Rowena Enriquez	Race Director
2. Priscilla Pinky Castillo	Race Secretariat Head
3. Judith Hakim	Chief, Athlete's Control
4. Ma. Ailene Padrones	Chief Boat Marshal
5. Ann-Nga Thi Celis	Asst Race Secretary
6. Nicanor Jasmin	Asst Umpire
7. Sophia Rae Labayen	Race Announcer