Team Expendables, which placed 2nd overall in the recently concluded 3rd Puerto Princesa International Dragonboat Festival, said it will donate its prize money to a local kayak club.
The Canadian team received ₱200,000 for their overall performance and topped the mixed and men’s 500-meter events last Saturday.
After receiving the award, a representative of the team announced that they will be donating their cash prize to a local kayak club.
“We are in shock actually. I can’t even talk, I lost my voice shouting (during the race). We would like to donate the award, although before we donate, we would like to pay for entry fees first. And the remainder of the money, if we would be able to donate to the local kayak club,” a team member said.
Philippine Canoe, Kayak and Dragon Boat Federation President Len Escollante said the prize money will be divided among the local clubs in the city.
“Bahala sila maghati-hati doon, at ide-deduct lang yung entry fee ng Expendables kasi hindi pa sila bayad,” she said.
Siargao Dragons was declared as the overall champion in the event, pocketing ₱300,000, while Manila’s Alliance of Masters placed 3rd and took home ₱100,000.
Meanwhile, Escollante explained that there was a slight error during the announcement of winners on Sunday night as the host inadvertently announced the wrong winner. She said it was a human error on the part of the announcer who immediately apologized after realizing his mistake.
“Tao lang at pwedeng magkamali. Nag-apology naman siya, sana pagbiyan dahil hindi pa naman naibibigay yung cash doon sa mga nanalo,” Escollante said.
Moreover, she stated that overall, the event was successful, especially with the weather turning good after days of heavy rains.
On the other hand, City Sports Director Atty. Gregorio Austria announced that the dragonboat festival will become a regular activity and will be considered as an annual national sporting event in the city.
“We will be institutionalizing this. Yearly na natin gagawin ito and we hope to see you next year,” Austria said.
He also encouraged the participating teams to stay a bit longer in the city to watch the coming International Canoe Federation’s World Dragonboat Championship on October 31 to November 4.
