Inspite of the summer heat, people from all walks of life crowded Roxas Boulevard and squeeze in the viewing deck of the Manila Ocean Park to witness one of the most awaited Dragon Boat race held last March 20, 21 and 28.

The country’s foremost paddlers have marked their calendars for this year’s Seasports Festival organized by Manila Broadcasting Company, which took place in the waters of Manila Bay last March 20 and 21. Supported by the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation, the Seasports Festival featured mixed team championships.  Among those seeing action are the Camarines Sur Dragon Boat team, Philippine Navy, Philippine National Police, Drago Pilipinas, Manila Dragons, Triton, One Piece Drakon Sangress, De La Salle University, University of the Philippines, San Beda College, Manila Wave, Manila Blazing Paddles, Manila Ocean Park, Rowers Club Philippines, Maharlika, PYROS, and last year’s winner PDRT Fireblades.

The Seasports Festival also featured the country’s master bangkeros in stock and formula races for motorboats.  Master bangkeros that participated are from Cebu, Iloilo, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Cavite, Quezon, Batangas, Bulacan, Surigao, Mindoro, Leyte, Aklan, Navotas, and Tondo.

March 28 marked Manila Ocean Park’s 2nd Dragon Boat Regatta. Eighteen (18) teams ranging from students to professionals, men and women joined the competition. Some of which are participants from UP, La Salle, Luftansa, Philippine Army, PNP, Fleet marines and the Manila Ocean Park (MOP) own dragon boat team.

“Why Dragon Boat? Mainly because it is a water sport; Aside from being educational, it also promotes fitness.  We want to be manila’s fantasy playground for summer so anything related to water is important to us. It has always been our vision to invite people to come to Manila Ocean Park and make this an integrated resort that is so near your home.” Cited Armi Ruby Cortes, MOP’s VP Sales and Marketing

The Dragon Boat race that was held in these various occasions help bring back Luneta and Manila bay to the hearts of the people.

A dragon boat is a very long and narrow canoe-style human-powered boat. It can hold a maximum of 22 players (20 paddlers, 1 drummer or caller and 1 sweep or steersman at the rear of the boat.)

The paddlers sit facing forwards and use a specific type of paddle which (unlike a rowing oar or sculling scull) is not rigged to the racing watercraft in any way. The drummer or caller may be considered the "heartbeat" of the dragon boat, and leads the crew throughout a race with the rhythmic beating of a drum to indicate the timing and frequency of paddling strokes. The caller may issue commands to the crew through a combination of hand signals and voice calls, and also generally exhorts the crew to perform at their peak. The sweep, known also as the steersman controls the dragon boat with a sweep oar rigged at the rear of the boat, generally on the side and off centre, which is used both for juddering as well as for sweeping the stern sideward.