TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – This coming weekend, Bohol Island Province will have yet another milestone in its rich history by setting the stage for the very first night dragon boat race in Asia. The tournament, set to be called “First Bohol Glow in the Dark International Dragon Boat Festival,” is planned to happen from April 18 to 19 at Tagbilaran City Bay.
The event can be described as a very crucial step in improving the reputation of the province as one of the best provinces for organizing sports-related events. This amazing event is expected to create global fame for the island, which is renowned as one of the best destinations for ecocultural tourism. The area is characterized by several outstanding landmarks such as Chocolate Hills and its UNESCO Global Geopark status.
International Teams and Competition Categories
International squads from Canada, Malaysia, and Japan have already expressed interest in joining the competition, which will feature premier open, premier women, and mixed masters divisions.
The participating teams shall race on the 200-meter sprint course, floating around in brightly lit up boats, which are outfitted with LED lights. Night time in the bay will turn out to be an eventful and colorful event due to the presence of lights and the festive environment created. This event is certified by the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation and organized jointly by the government of the province of Bohol and city of Tagbilaran.
Bohol Paddlers Association Leads the Initiative
This is where the Bohol Paddlers Association Incorporated (BPAI), headed by its president, Dr. Theodore Dumaluan, comes into the picture. As Dr. Dumaluan said, “It’s a strategic initiative to position Bohol as a sports tourism hub.”
It should be noted that the festival is not a one-off occurrence but a continuing and consistent endeavor for building up and developing the sport within Bohol. The BPAI has introduced new formats for competitions involving long-distance endurance on the Philippine circuit. And in order to secure sustainability and autonomy for the movement, BPAI decided to manufacture its own boats.
"We planned for sustainability, and we made our own boat, which assures us of that," Dr. Dumaluan explained. According to Vice President Aster Pocot, the BPAI had been linked with the community for some time, noting that even after its thirteenth year in existence, the agency has not only organized local activities but also oversaw national tournaments taking place in the Visayas and Mindanao areas.
Coinciding with Saulog Festival Season
The event is strategically planned to coincide with the Saulog Festival season, and according to Dr. Dumaluan, the essence of the activity is much more than displaying athleticism.
"It would not just be a showcase of raw power in synchronized paddling, but also of synergy between sports development and tourism growth with potential tourism opportunities for Boholanos," he concluded.
