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FEATI University races to twin victories in first ever dragon boat race in the Pasig River
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| The FEATI University Dragon Boat Team emerge champion in the 200 meters Novice Category. |
FEATI University, on its 65th year as an academic institution, dared to venture and made a huge splash with the successful staging of the first ever dragon boat race on the Pasig River even as the FEATI University Dragon Boat Team paddled to first place in the Novice Category in a rousing debut performance! These unexpected twin "victories" were obtained even in the extremely wet conditions brought about by the intermittent driving rain which threatened to dampen the festive atmosphere of the competition. On hand to begin the competitions were Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, PRRC Executive Director Dr. Eugenia L. Lagmay, MMDA General Manager Dr. Corazon Jimenez and FEATI University President Dr.-Ing. Adolfo Jesus R. Gopez.
Aside from fielding its own team, the University's "Race to Raise" dragon boat competition on December 4, 2011, at the Plaza Mexico on the Intramuros (south) bank of the Pasig River was participated in by 21 teams including the UP Diliman Dragon Boat team, San Beda College, National University, Fleet Marine, Lake Buhi (Camarines Sur), Manila Wave, Sagwan, Pyros, PDRT Fireblades, Manila Blazing Paddlers, Manila Dragons, Drago Pilipinas, and Aqua Fortis. The crowds of spectators composed of students and school officials witnessed the race for dragon boat supremacy which resulted to the following being declared the champions of this first ever dragon boat race: Open 500 meters Men: 1st Prize- LAKE BUHI winning PhP 30,000, first place trophy and gold medals, 2nd Prize – FLEET MARINE winning PhP 20,000, second place trophy and silver medals, 3rd Prize – PDRT FIREBLADES winning PhP 10,000, third place trophy and bronze medals; Open 500 meters Mixed Men and Women:1st Prize- FLEET MARINE winning PhP 30,000, first place trophy and gold medals, 2nd Prize – UP DILIMAN DRAGON BOAT TEAM PhP 20,000, second place trophy and silver medals, 3rd Prize – PDRT FIREBLADES winning PhP 10,000, third place trophy and bronze medals; and, Novice 200 meters Mixed Men & Women: 1st Prize- FEATI UNIVERSITY winning PhP 20,000, first place trophy and gold medals, 2nd Prize – NATIONAL UNIVERSITY winning PhP 15,000, second place trophy and silver medals, 3rd Prize – SAN BEDA COLLEGE winning PhP 10,000, third place trophy and bronze medals. The champions also had the rare opportunity to pit their oars against the Pilipinas Dragon Boat Team that had just returned from winning gold, silver, and bronze medals at the 26th SEA games in Palembang, Indonesia.
Aside from lead organizer FEATI University, cooperating agencies that supported the "Race to Raise" campaign were Philippine Canoe-Kayak Federation, Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, Philippine Coast Guard, Manila City Hall, Manila Sports Council, and the Intramuros Administration. Much thanks and appreciation also goes out to Petron, as the major sponsor, to Gatorade, the official sports drink of the race, and to media partners Manila Times, Tribune, 96.3 Easy Rock, UNTV Sports 37, Crossover, UR Face Radio. The successful staging of the event was also made possible through the support of Globe Telecom, PS Bank, Rudy Project, Binalot, Zagu, 100 Plus, DCCD Engineering, Trans Star Shipping Agency Corp., Blue Horizon, Rhod Jane Metal Arts, and Quest Air.
The overwhelming response of those who were involved in the event gave FEATI a clear sign to stage this annually from hereon. The public can look forward to a bigger and grander dragon boat race courtesy of FEATI University, its partner agencies and loyal sponsors in 2012! (AMD) |
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