PADS Dragon Boat Team
What does it take to be a champion? A champion who achieves greatness and success? Is it being an able person? Which means a person who is capable of achieving something both small and great? But what if you are different? Different from what we consider as normal and able? Growing up, I was this ideal person who perceived strength as a physical attribute. Being taught and told by the society what a person can and can’t do.
Well, not until I met this athletic team that changed my way of thinking about being a champion and the journey towards being one. A champion not just in the field of sports or any athletic competitions but a champion in your own self, standing still surviving against the waves of life. Ottobock Philippines had given me the opportunity to experience this awe-inspiring and heartwarming story of our athletes by letting me cover their turnover event for PADS team.
Blog Category: News - Event Coverage
Destination: Mactan Cebu, Philippines
Photography: Jones Silva Creatives
The Champions
It was a two-inspiring-day shoot with PADS. A shoot that I’d never imagined could inspire me, alter my perspective and even touched my heart. PADS Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team is a nonprofit sport organization in Cebu City, Philippines. It is not just an ordinary sports organization. It is something that Cebuanos should be proud of. Well, let me tell you why they deserve our appreciation and respect. First because they raised our Philippine flag which brought us international recognition. Second because they showed to the whole world how mighty and courageous they were in overcoming their own struggles and challenges.
PADS Adaptive Dragonboat Racing Team by Jones Silva Creatives
Journey Towards the Medal
We, Cebuanos should be proud of them not just because they bagged the Gold medal in Thailand last 2019 competing with other international dragon boat teams but because they competed against their own disabilities. They did not only win against another competing team but they, most importantly won against their self doubts and insecurities of not being like the rest of the members whom considered by the society as what is normal and capable. Yes, amazingly, eight of their mighty teammates are amputees including their ever humble team Captain, Mr. Arnold Balais.
Each of them has different stories to tell, different silent battles to win against from both the society and even with their own selves. That is for sure. But instead of telling you their disabilities, I will rather inspire you by telling you their journey towards the medal. While most people think being a champion is all about luck and resources, these courageous athletes strongly believe that dedication, hard work and faith are what it takes to raise one. Regardless of their condition, they did not let their imperfections define their fate. Rather, they developed their weakness and turned it to be their strength, choosing to be empowered to do their best at everything they do. Driven by their motivation to achieve greatness despite of their own physical struggles and that includes winning the race. They worked silently and courageously. Little did they know that their perseverance and hard work will soon be paid off.
Their success on their Thailand race didn’t simply end by just receiving the gold medal. God has favored them so much by drawing so much attention to a lot of people and much more to the President Rodrigo Duterte. The team received a courtesy call and finally met with the president who gave them the privilege to share their stories and their journey. The President was amazed by the athletes strong will and dedication so he wholeheartedly rewarded them by providing prostheses to the athletes who are amputees to boost their strength and self-confidence not just in facing their upcoming dragon boat races but also in facing their lives real battle.
PADS Dragonboat Team with Ottobock Philippines at Marcelo Fernan Bridge Mactan, Cebu, Philippines.
Great Motivation and Dedication
Ottobock Philippines is a leading prosthesis company which was chosen by the government to provide artificial legs to the 8 PADS athletes. After receiving the artificial legs, Ottobock Philippines also provided training and development for them to be knowledgeable how to use the advanced prosthesis, enabling the athletes to use it independently.
As for the athletes, it is not just a mere prosthesis but a possession that they will be treasuring and is and will always be a symbol of hope and strength for them. Winning the gold medal is impressive for most of us. But I think what is more impressive is their journey towards being a champion. They surpassed all their struggles before achieving greatness. This may sound cliche but they are one great example that quitters never win and winners never quit.
It was 5am and there was a bit of a rain shower but this weather didn't stop these champions to do their training, much more to the whole team who will be covering this moment. Getting up so early as 5 in the morning as their call time, these athletes always prepare themselves. They start their day by doing their morning routine which is calisthenics at Pajara Park, Mandaue below Marcelo Fernan Bridge. What amazed me and the whole Cebu photographers team covering this story is the fact that these athletes don’t take every second of their time for granted. They displayed great motivation and dedication in their physical training. Isn’t it inspiring how these people do their best at everything they do despite of their personal undertakings?
Right after their warmup, we went to the beach and they started preparing their boats this time for the paddling workout. They also invited us to join with them on the boat which I always considered to be one of the best experiences the whole video production team in Cebu and I had that day, and that was, we were paddling with the Champions.
It wasn't a Smooth Sailing
The second day was even more memorable for the whole PADS Team. I couldn’t help but to foster a smile on my face as I cover the whole event. Ottobock officially turnover the prosthesis at their Maayo Medical Clinic last June 2021. The pandemic safety protocols made it impossible for spectators to make it on the ceremony. As a result, only few special guests were their, witnessing this life changing moment for our athletes. You can really see the glow of their eyes and smiles the gratefulness they were feeling on that momentous day thinking how blessed they are to be given support by the government and the people who continuously believe in their journey. We wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity of knowing this team of mighty champions so we interviewed the team captain and the founder of PADS who shared how and what the whole team been through before achieving this milestone.
For two, amazing days with PADS Adaptive Dragonboat Racing Team, I’ve seen how motivated they are in facing their adversities in life in a way that some of us might taken for granted. Some of us were given all what it takes to be the best version of ourselves but always end up complaining and delaying things and put the blame to everything and everyone we have for not achieving anything.
The event was over but the experience I had on that remarkable day will surely be treasured. As one of the Cebu photographers and videographers who covered the whole event, I am so proud to be part of this event who witnessed this life changing moment which made these positive-spirited athletes more confident and continue being grateful despite their challenges that life might throw at them.
It wasn’t a smooth sailing feat, but it’s all worth it.
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