Sunday, June 29, 2008

Dragon Boat 101 in Manila Bay

The Dragon Boat is a very long and narrow human-powered boat used in team paddling sport called dragon boat racing. Originating in China, racing events using these decorative boats are usually held during the Dragon Boat Festival which is a national holiday in the country.

Here in Manila, the way to ride the dragon is to go to Manila Bay. I tried it last Saturday, and it was a whole lot of fun.

At 5:30 am, my friends and I were already in the bay near Manila Yacht Club along with other rowers and newbies like most of us. There were a lot of rowing teams around. We even saw the Philippine women's team all in pink crocs. Our group of newbies and wannabees was invited by he UP Rowing Team (thanks to Chester). Among the team's members is Manix Abrera, creator of the famous Kiko Machine comics.

We waited an hour until we got our boat, and I was bursting in excitement when I got on it. Such enthusiasm made me disregard how filthy the water was. In our first few rows (and I was only rowing as if I knew how to), the boat glided gracefully along the garbage-laiden water in the Manila Yacht Club docking area, until we got a bit farther and the water became less dirty - but still not clean knowing it is Manila Bay.

We stopped for the basic lessons that included the parts of the paddle, how to row, and some jargons used in the sport. Then we rowed further applying the new lessons learned - and we were so good at it. I felt all my back muscles (we were taught it is wrong to use our arm muscles for force) struggled to keep up with the pace. I was breathing in and exhaling at every row, listening to the caller to say 'at ease' for the next few lessons or reminders. Now my body is aching, but I'm definitely doing it again next Saturday.

Dragon boat racing (or in my case it was just rowing) is much fun. It keeps you fit and takes away all your inhibitions, including your disgust for filthy water. And oh, if you ever ask if dragon boat rowers take a dip in Manila Bay, it is true as an initiation. In fact, I can't believe I did it myself. As an ex-molecular biologist (I'm now a banker), I could imagine all sorts of flora and fauna thriving in the murky water. But it didn't matter, I could do some immunity boost.

But on a different note, if dragon boat racing becomes very popular, it may serve as one of the impetus to clean up Manila Bay and Pasig River. For sure, this will become a more attractive sport with clean waters around.

Sunday, June 01, 2008

What's up?

There were rare moments when, amidst the plethora of things in my head (most of which is work), I got to ask myself 'Dude, what's up?'

That's weird. But I find the question a valid one. In this life in which time has no other direction but to go forward (no time machine, unfortunately life is not science fiction), people really need to take a break and ask themselves what they are up to.

Some people are up for money, some for popularity, some for power, and many for all of the three mentioned - who doesn't want to be rich, popular, and powerful? All of us want to be better in one way or another, and this desire is not in any way bad.

While some people want to catch up with time (they are such stickler to their schedules), some choose to wait. I have chosen to wait several times. God knows how many minutes, hours, and even days I have wasted waiting for plants that did not flower and bear fruit(remember, I used to have a garden when I was young), people that didn't come, and dreams that didn't happen (I confess, I daydream a lot even during my classes in the University).

I'm tired of waiting. Now all I want to do is to ride with time, savor every second of it, make the best out of every ticking of the clock. No distractions. No what if's. No second thoughts.

I'm tired of waiting. I'm eager of what's ahead. I want to dive and make a big splash to the future.

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Sounds a bit emo? Well not really. I'm just refraining myself from writing another blog on politics and economics (as if I know anything much about them these days for all I do is work, work, and work... and some gimmick with friends).