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Fortitude, hard work and perseverance are among the ideals of the members of a group of Filipino dragon boat paddlers known as the Masterpiece Dragon boat Team Qatar or MP.
The team of men and women is not only dedicated to its passion for dragon-boat racing but also in honing their skills to be able to compete internationally.
At the recently concluded 2017 Dragon Boat Festival at Grand Hyatt Doha, the group showed their big heart for the sport. MP bagged the championship title in the 200m Open Category, while it clinched the first runners-up spot in the 200m Mixed Category.
"The team prepared for the event with rigorous training for two months. All the members were determined to clinch the championship title. We trained at Katara Beach Resort very early in the morning. We did four to five boat trainings and once a week land training to prepare our mind and body for the race," said Arkan Pabatao, one of the members of the group.
MP is a non-profit organisation that has been initiated primarily to encourage and inspire overseas Filipinos to enhance human potential by promoting the importance of good health ” through exercise, camaderie and the sport of dragon boat. It was formed in June 2016 with 11 pioneer paddlers and has grown steadily in terms of membership and supporters. The group was awarded a Certificate of Recognition of the Philippine Embassy Doha marking their bonafide membership with the United Filipino Organizations in Qatar on January 25.
The name of the group, Masterpiece, speaks of the will of the group to succeed in the sport and to inspire others through the leadership of group's head mentor Coach Gerald Monzon.
In November 2016, the team participated in the RAK Autumn Regatta held in Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. It was the only team from Qatar in the competition. It was also the first international exposure for most of its members. After winning in Qatar recently, the group once again has its eyes set on another international tourney, this time in Korea.
"It is truly a sweet and memorable victory for the entire team, as it was the first participation in the Qatar Dragon Boat Festival for most of its members. About 80 percent of the team comprises novices."Mentored by our seasoned and multi-awarded coach, Gerald Monzon, we are looking to attract new paddlers to join us as we prepare for another international competition in Korea. We want to recruit new members whom we can train for the basic programme," Pabatao said.
The pioneering members of MP are Gerald Monzon, Ruel Lore?±o, Geraldo G. De Guzman, Alex Endaya, Alexis Magsino, Romyr Baran, Arnold Alicdan, Pio Tuzon, Leah Acap, Kate Romero and Jennifer Guinto.
The team members include Mark Anthony Espida, Michelle Pallan, Omar Ortiz, Maria Criselda Quiaoit, Eureka Quiaoit, Rustum Seacor, Regine Seacor, Arceili Serrano, Ivy Quinones, Ivan Chester Garcia, Ed Vincent Bongcawil, Martin Barilea, Arleen Cabida, Michael Mogan, Reggie L. Serrano, Lorenzo Diaz, Kandee Marie Marquez, Joselito Taganna, Bennet M. Tulod and Arkan Pabatao.
The proud newbies in the group are Ariel Barluado, Mary Fe Domingo, Reah G. Sia, Diane Ross De Guzman, Li Elpedio Seville?±o, Donnie F. Ganal, Ryan A?±asco, Blare Untal and Donna Lyn Paguio.
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26/03/2017
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