Cebu Pink Paddlers, PADS win in Naga tilt

The Cebu Pink Paddlers show off the medals they won in a dragon boat competition in Taiwan recently when they visited the Cebu Daily News office last Saturday. The team won again in a race in the City of Naga yesterday.
CDN PHOTO/BRIAN J. OCHOA

THE PHILIPPINE Accessibility Disability Services Incorporated (PADS) Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team and the Cebu Pink Paddlers triumphed in the 1st Naga Invitational Dragon Boat Race at the Naga Baywalk in the City of Naga, southern Cebu, yesterday.

PADS-A clocked a minute and 15.32 seconds to be crowned champion in the 250-meter open short boat race.

Gruppo Habagat came in second with a time of 1:16.10.

PADS-A (1.19.37) also won the 250m mixed short boat race with Gruppo Habagat (1.20.10) finished second anew.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Pink Paddlers, a group of breast cancer survivors, clocked 1:28.56 to rule the 250m women’s short boat race.
Habagat Fireblade (1:29.05) finished in second.

The Pink Paddlers were made up of team captain Georgia Solante, Ma Liberty Rañoa, Eden Paluca, Rosalie Cobre, Mary Ann Bojos, Mirasol Viñas and steerswoman Levi Abelides.

“They gave their best. They didn’t show that they have disabilities, (nor) this chronic illness,” said coach Christian Ian Sy.

In the kayaking event, Mantalaba Velasquez reigned supreme in the 250m open race in 1.49.57.

The PADS team is composed of Arnold Balais, Marvin Renacia, Danilo Villardo, Brylle Arombo, Verniel Faustrilla, Marvi Ubay, Bonjovi Guimayen, Rolando Noya, Owen Loceño, team captain JP Maunes, Rob Gomm, Nestor Bulan, Jonathan Dela Peña, Jose Revel Sotes, Rey Mangayao, James Tiu, Jeffrey Dael, Ezra Montalban, Markcel Ubay, Niño Claire Arias, Nora Rosette, Janice Aparri, Karen Dianon, Michelle Villafuerte, Eva Noya, Emma Redita, Cristina Benabaye and Elizabeth Ramos.