MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 24 (PIA) --- Twenty-five young Meranaos will make a splash in the waters of Davao City next week to send an inspiring message that nothing will hold them back to race for Lake Lanao.
With paddles in hand, rowers of Team Naga of Lanao del Sur will hit Davao waters and test their limits along with other paddlers in the First Davao City Dragon Boat Festival 2014 come May 1-4.
“This is the first team of rowers from Lanao del Sur that will compete outside of the province and in an international event,” said Noroddin Maguindanao, officer-in-charge of the Lanao Sarimanok Paddlers Association (LSPA)
Maguindanao, who also serves as the team’s coach, said Team Naga’s paddlers are from Caloocan in Marawi City. They are out-of-school youth who spent most of their time driving pedicabs or fishing in the lake.
He said they started their regular training in Caloocan three months ago with one to three hours of workout and team building routines daily. They also do jogging every Saturday.
Maguindanao disclosed that he did not encountered difficulty in motivating his team members.
“They are very eager to learn and represent Lanao del Sur. Some of them have to earn a living but they still devoted most of their time in the training. I’m supposed to inspire them but they inspire me instead with their high spirit and strong determination to bring honor to the province and to the Meranao populace,” Maguindanao said.
Dragon boat racing was introduced in Lanao del Sur in 2012 through the efforts of Ganassi town mayor Al-Rashid Macapodi. The municipal government of Ganassi hosted the first-ever Sarimanok boat clinic and exhibition in the province to bring into focus Lake Lanao and its timeless significance to the Meranao traditions and community.
The boats used in the exhibition have Sarimanok head and decorated with okir instead of the usual dragon head and scales, thus the name Sarimanok boat racing.
Sarimanok is a legendary bird that has become a symbol of Maranao art while okir is an ornamental Maranao artwork usually woven in textiles or carved into wooden boxes, sword handles and brasswares.
‘We are not doing this for the competition but to raise awareness on the true condition of Lake Lanao. Dragon boat racing is a sport suitable for Meranaos because they are, by nature, good in rowing and experts in making dragon/sarimanok boats. We are aiming for lifetime devotion for this kind sport and hoping that someday an international dragon boat race will also be held in Lake Lanao,” Maguindanao said.
Team Naga is a member of the LSPA, an organization of local rowers founded after the success of the Sarimanok boat race clinic and exhibition. Naga is a Meranao term which means dragon.
Mohaymin Ungca, a 28-year old paddler, said he joined Team Naga because he wanted to learn the art of discipline and represent his place. “I feel nervous but when we get there, we will do our best and showcase what we have practiced for the glory of Lanao del Sur, most importantly for Caloocan.
“Rowing is not only determined through a big body. While others row for fun, we do it for a living that is why we are more motivated than them,” expressed Abdullah Borasi.
Other members of Team Naga who will paddle long and strong are Sihab Mustapha, AbulKhair Mosib, Tomawis H. Amer, Ansano Baraocor, Mamad Baraocor, Anodin Molia, Manganding Sultan, SaadodinUngca, Paodac Mohamad Ali, Ashrin Dadayaan, Iman Omar, Rajeb Omar, Moad Mohamad Ali, Basher Macunti, Nasip Barasi, Mohamad Barasi, Mohalodin Rasol, Arsad Lumna, Jalal Jalil, Jamalodin Antipolo, Ashbie Badron, Salamat Mama, Ashgar Decampong, and Util Datu Moloc.
Maguindanao admitted that when he first organized the team, the funding came from his own pocket. Now, they are selling Team Naga shirts to raise funds to defray the expenses of the team in Davao.
“Dragon boat is a team sport. You look each other’s back and you support each other. That is why we are so grateful for the support the team is receiving right now,” he said.
According to him, some of their friends gave donations while Provincial Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. shouldered the registration of the team to the competition in Davao. Director Tarhata Mapandi of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in the province also committed to support the team by providing skills training scholarship to its members.
Meanwhile, the First Davao City Dragon Boat Festival 3rd Cobra-PDBF International Club Crew Challenge 2014 will be held at Baywalk, Ecoland.
The competition was organized by the Philippine Dragon Board (PDBF) and Davao Dragon Boat Association (DDBA) in partnership with Davao City government.
Maguindanao said about 50 teams including international dragon boat racing enthusiasts are expected to join the competition.
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