AN ELITE roster of water sports enthusiasts will converge in the Seasports Festival to be held on March 20 and 21 at the Manila Bay behind SM Mall of Asia.
Expected to highlight the event are mixed team championships for the Dragon Boat Race, stock and formula races in the motorized banca competition, and jetski exhibitions.
The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation said 17 teams have already confirmed in the dragon boat race, with members of the men’s national team that captured the international championships in the Czech Republic last September on the individual club rosters.
Last year, the national women’s team lead by Mt. Everest climber Noelle Wenceslao, also took part in the mixed team championships.
Top rowers from five-time champion University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, San Beda College, and De la Salle University likewise participated in the Men’s, Ladies, and Mixed Open championships last year.
Master bangkeros from Cebu, Iloilo, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Cavite, Quezon Batangas, Bulacan, Surigao, Mindoro, Leyte, Aklan, Navotas and Tondo will compete in the stock and formula races in the motorized banca category.
The yearly festival is organized by Manila Broadcasting Company and the City of Pasay, in cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard, Gold Eagle Beer, Caltex, Lipovitan, Revicon, M. Lhuillier, Briggs and Stratton, as well as Cord Marine Epoxy. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)