Bayanihan Spirit: Tampa Bay Filipinos & The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation Team
There is an archetypical communal spirit that resides within all Filipinos, far and wide, which beats within their hearts and beckons them, “bayanihan.” Faint as a whisper, it steadily repeats as though summoning from afar, “bayanihan…bayanihan.” With every passing word, it gains momentum and invokes a desire within the Filipino community to organize, volunteer and act in an effort to achieve a particular goal.
The origin of bayanihan can be traced back to a common Filipino tradition, in which members of a community would volunteer and assist a family in moving their home by literally carrying it to a new location. It was this bayanihan spirit that reinforced community bonds and individual efforts towards a greater good.
This Bayanihan spirit was exemplified by the Filipino-American community of Tampa Bay, during the 2011 World Dragon Boat Racing Championships held in Tampa, Florida from August 2nd to August 7th, when they rallied together and began a grass roots effort to support the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation Team of 20 athletes and 6 coaches and managers. Due to alleged political turmoil, corruption and false reports by individuals within the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Federation, the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation was stripped of their monthly living stipends, training/travel funds and their recognition as a Philippine National Team. With grit determination, sacrifice and the desire to defend their International Dragon Boat Titles, they were able to procure sponsorships from Philippine Airlines and Cobra Energy Drink for flights to Tampa and lodging expenses for half of their team, enough to compete in the small boat races. The Philippine Dragon Boat Team (PDBT) would have to forgo defending their standard dragon boat titles. Through the generosity of the USA Dragon Boat Team and several dragon boat clubs, they were able to race in the Championships using borrowed paddles. Having arrived safely with a skeletal crew of 26 members, they were short on food supplies, money and moral support. They were only able to bring with them some canned foods, instant noodles and rice.
At the Opening Ceremony of the 2011 World Dragon Boat Racing Championships, the PDBT met several members of the local Filipino-American Community. After hearing of their plight, the Filipinos of Tampa Bay rallied around their “kababayan” or fellow countrymen with Gail Gutierrez spearheading the effort, Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. President Roger Caculitan disseminating the call to “Bayanihan” to all the Filipino-American organizations within the Tampa Bay area, and several key individuals working daily and tirelessly in order to assist, raise funds and support the Philippine Dragon Boat Team. That night, a “Support Philippine Dragon Boat Federation in Tampa” FaceBook page was created for the sole purpose of organizing a grass roots support system, which included team supply needs, race schedules, race updates, news, events and a miscellaneous information. The following day, the team received bottled water, sports drinks, canned salmon, canned sardines, corned beef, energy bars, bread, peanut butter, snacks, fruits, boiled eggs, home cooked meals and rice cookers. Together, the Filipino-American community and the Philippine Dragon Boat Team were able to raise money through private donations and PDBF Team Shirt sales to afford meals and drinks for 9 days, shopping money for each athlete, and a trip to Busch Gardens, as well as luncheons, dinners and shuttle services.
On August 4th, the first day of races, Filipino fans gathered in support branding red, blue and yellow in honor of the PDBT. They were rewarded with a gold medal victory in the 1000 meter Premiere Open Men’s Division Small Boat Event. With news of the PDBT spreading throughout the Filipino channels, the next three days were filled with growing crowds of proudly chanting Filipinos eager to will their beloved team across the finish line first. Everything culminated on Sunday, August 7th, as the Philippine Dragon Boat Team and its staunch supporters held a moment of silence just before the start of the 500 meter Men’s Division Small Boat Event. A horn blared across the channel as the dragon boat teams pounded their drums and their beats echoed off the buildings in erratic tempos. A cloud of mist rose from their paddles and engulfed the pack as the PDBT led in the front. The Filipino fans broke into cheer, as a rhythm came over the crowd and they began chanting, “PHI-LAH-PEENS!!!…PHI-LAH-PEENS!!!” The atmosphere intensified and exploded in celebration as the Philippine Dragon Boat Team crossed the finish line in First Place. The Filipino fans were giving each other hugs, high-fives, laughing, crying and basking in the glory of victory. A sense of pure jubilation could be felt within their ranks, as they gathered for the final Award Ceremony and traded stories about their experiences with the Team. Athletes and supporters alike, beamed with pride when the Philippine Dragon Boat Team received their gold medals. As the Philippine National Flag was being raised, the entire Filipino community joined Cara Gutierrez in singing Lupang Hinirang, while everyone else stood back in silence and admiration.
The following day, Monday, August the 8th, several individuals headed by Ann Bartlett and Ferdian Jap sponsored, organized and prepared a banquet luncheon at the Bayanihan Arts & Events Center to recognize and honor the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation Team and all the volunteers who had taken part in supporting the PDBT. It was followed by a shopping trip and a celebration steak dinner sponsored by the Philippine Cultural Foundation and hosted by Clem & Roland Lazaro.
On Tuesday, August 9th, the Philippine-American Association of Tampa Bay took the PDBT to Busch Gardens, where they were able to relax and finally enjoy the city. Lucy Bautista, Roque & Emma Barrido, and the Lazaro’s kindly provided for their lunch and transportation. After an exciting and rainy day of rides, shows and sights, Dr. Jonathan & Aileen Alvior hosted a farewell dinner party for the PDBT, where they were promised a donation of carbon fiber paddles by generous and loyal supporters.
Finally on Wednesday, August 10th, after several days of newly shared experiences with their kababayan here, the PDBT boarded their plane and returned to the Philippines amidst a frenzy of proud Filipinos welcoming their Champions home. And though their homecoming has been filled with television appearances, news interviews, awards, accolades, recognition and much needed celebration, the future still remains unknown for the PDBT. Differences with the POC, the PSC and the PCKF have yet to be resolved in order for them to be united, once again, and officially represent the Philippines under the banner of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation.
After all is said and done, the 2011 World Dragon Boat Racing Championships and The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation Team, through their hardships back home and here, enabled the local Filipino Community to rise up to the call of Bayanihan and support their fellow kababayan in their time of need with food, supplies, donations, leisure, moral support and lasting friendships. The Filipino-American Community of Tampa Bay should be proud that they were able to show the world on an international stage that the Filipino Bayanihan spirit is very much alive and can accomplish anything.
-Mel D. Allego
August 18, 2011