1st Surigao International Dragon Boat Summer FestivalBugsay MarajaoDragon BoatEVENTSMartin AndanarMayor Ernesto MatugasPaddlersSurigaoSurigao City
Highights of the 1st Surigao International Dragon Boat Summer Festival
Mindanao’s
biggest international sporting event, the 1st Surigao International
Dragon Boat Summer Festival was successfully held last May 26, 2018.
With
22 teams coming from the Philippines and the rest of the teams from Malaysia,
Canada and China including Hong Kong, a total of nearly 600 athletes competed
for three categories namely, the 200m Small Boat Mixed Major, 200m Small Boat Mixed
Minor and the 200m Standard Open.
How it all began
Surigao’s
waterways is one of the province greatest treasure. To further boost Surigao’s tourism
and promotion of the dragon boat as sports, the indefatigable Ms. Roselyn Merlin
of Surigao local tourism brought the sporting event to Surigao after attending
an event in Taiwan. With the fullback support of top local government unit officials led by Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas, the
biggest international sports competition in
Mindanao was underway.
The 1st
Surigao International Dragon Boat Summer Festival is the first ever hosted
dragon boat race in the country with prize money and island tour package
offered for the participating crew.
Costume Parade and Opening Ceremonies
The
first day of the festival began with a costume parade around the city to the
delight of the Suriganons who cheered the participants in their grand costumes.
Never mind that a squall hit the city in the middle of the day but the parade
goes on and each team showed off their dragon-themed costume.
Afterwards,
the welcome and opening ceremony was led by the Communications Secretary Marttin
Andanar together with City Mayor Ernesto
Matugas, and Surigao del Norte Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr. who represented
Governor Sol Matugas.
Secretary Andanar, a native Suriganon was happy to
be back home. During his speech, he shared what the dragon boat competition is all
about and how it is a showcase of endurance, teamwork, cooperation, sacrifice,
discipline and the humble surrenders to the rigors of the rule. He also wished
that the festival be a continuing event in the years to come.
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| Official FB |
Race Day
May 26,
2018 dawned bright and clear, before the competition begins Fr. Bobby Puracan
led the blessing of the dragon boats as well as the floatation platform. Hundreds
and hundreds of people began filling up the Surigao City
Boulevard and before the sun is completely up, the race begins.
A total of 23 exciting races were completed halfway
through the day. Official results were announced during the closing and
awarding ceremonies where each team also showcased their talents during the team
presentation.
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| Official FB |
Here is
the list of winners for the following categories:
200m Small
Boat Mixed Major - Kampilan Davao City
200m Small
Boat Mixed Minor - Leytenos Paddlers
200m Standard
Open – Bugsay Marajao (Surigao City)
Thank you so much Tourism Promotions Board for this wonderful opportunity.
Thank you so much Tourism Promotions Board for this wonderful opportunity.
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