Ecoteneo Knightriders power Davao’s dragonboat champ Hiraya Minokawa Dabaw

The Ecoteneo Knightriders, biking community of Ateneo de Davao University are among the founding members of Hiraya* Minokawa Dabaw (HMD), the 1st dragonboat team of Davao formed last April 2014. Hiraya Minokawa Dabaw was formed to advance the watersports and concretize ocean preservation and restoration.

Hiraya Minokawa Dabaw emerged as the over-all champion at the 1st Bugsay Mindanao held last December 6, 2014 in Cagayan de Oro. Organized by Liceo University, six (6) dragonboat teams participated, three from Davao (HMD, Base Camp and Dragon del Su r or DDS) and the rest from Cagayan de Oro (Liceo Dragonoids), Iligan (Bakunawa) and Butuan (FSUU or Fr. Saturnino Urios University). HMD won gold in 200 m (mixed), silver in 1600 m (mixed) and 1600m (open) and bronze at the men’s 200 m and the women’s 200 m races.

Hiraya Minokawa Dabaw (lane 3) before leaving the pack as it closes the 200-m race. The Cagayan River explodes with greenery as the dragonboat teams paddle for its continued rehabilitation. Photo by Mux Emo.

HMD President Bertilo Cuaton in recognizing the Ateneo force says, “Dragonboat is a teamsport and I appreciate the sense of community and service that Ateneans bring to the team.”

“What I like about HMD is that it is true to its passion for the ocean, as frequent as we train, is also our regular treeplanting and coastal clean up activities,” says team manager and Grade School Science faculty Edward Mantos.

“Dragonboating is a good way to build a team, we rely not on our individual strengths but on the synchronicity of all who share a common purpose: championing dragonboating for our love of the ocean and being champions of its protection,” according to Michelle Mari Mercado of the Student Development Center (SDC), who serves as Executive Secretary of HMD and concurrent trainor of the team. The over-all training of HMD is under the guidance of members who are seasoned paddlers from San Beda.

The cleanliness and green banks of the Cagayan River serve as inspiration for the HMD to work towards the same goal for Bangkerohan River. Coming together with all the dragonboat teams of Davao is a goal they have to share their passion for the environment and to make clean rivers and seas a reality.

Davao’s dragonboat champion team was presented to the Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday through HMD founding member and Councilor Louie John Bonguyan (ADDU Batch ’98). Other Atenean members of the team include (in no particular order):

Peter Val Pegarro (ADDU HS Batch 2007)
Kax Marapao (ADDU HS 2007)
Pauline Yrasegui (BS Management Acct 2007)
Emilou Nunez (ADDU HS 2002)
Roneo Vermont (BS Accountancy 2002)
Sharee Jaca (BS Entrep, 3rd year)
Leo Taculod (BS Human Resource, 2nd year)
Ryan Aranjuez (BM, 1st year)
Frederick Allan C. Buno, ADDU ’99
Melissa Jalandoni (ADDU HS 2001, AB Psych 2005) – psychometrician, SDC
Raissa Ann Marie Ouano (ADDU HS 2001, AB Psych 2005)
John Buno (ADDU HS 2001)
Daniel Esmale – lifeguard, ADDU GS

Hiraya Minokawa Dabaw continues to train on weekends, (Saturday and Sunday, 5:00-7:00 AM) at the Bonguyan beach. Membership is open and sponsorships are welcome for upcoming events and HMD’s environmental campaigns in 2015.

HMD is grateful to the major sponsor of Bugsay Mindanao for making Hiraya Minokawa Dabaw its official team at the event. Zem gear “less shoe more you” truly delivered as the team won the events on its last kicks.

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 *Hiraya, means the offspring of combining hopes, dreams, aspirations, and wishes. Minokawa is the giant bird (as big as the island of Negros or Bohol) in Bagobo tales. It had eyes akin to mirrors, large beak and legs fashioned with steel, and wings as sharp as swords. The Minokawa was said to be able devour the sun and/or the moon (thus explaining eclipses).

Note: The author is a paddler and co-chairs the Advocacy committee of HMD with fellow Atenean Monica Ayala, ADDU '84.