Nothing compares to Bugsay Boracay. As a club that gained a number of achievements as a competitive dragon boat team, this group of island locals possess something more than what other sporting teams normally have.
Bugsay is the Visayan word for “oar”. It may also be used as a verb that means “to paddle”. Thanks to BomBom Bar owner Bambi Sacapaño, who thought of naming the team that has given Boracay Island another thing to be proud of. BomBom Bar, dubbed as the “home of Bugsay,” is one of the pioneer bars in the island, known for its tribal jamming during sunsets and live acoustic music until the wee hours and of course the free-flowing (only for the familiar friends) rhum tagay 
sessions.
Being the crowd’s favorite, Bugsay has never failed making race celebration parties (which used to be lame ceremonious gatherings according to some teams) wild and unforgettable. This labeled the team as a party icon not only on the island but even outside the country. In all the competitions joined, partying with Bugsay is one event to look forward to. Win or lose, the team always exhibits great sportsmanship, their distinct team spirit and the contagious cheerfulness that upbeats the crowd, maintaining a fun-filled atmosphere around the race venue. Very much associated with the Boracay style of merry making, the favorite booze that is passed around while dancing with the bongo beat will be so proud – if only that company realizes that the team did a really good job promoting them without pay or even recognition.
The common race day scenario flaunts heat strokes, deafening ammo shots at the starting line and the heart thumping intensity present amongst the competing crews, coupled with distractions of drumbeats and boo-boos from the nearside boats and the shouts from spectators. That make each paddler experience a kind of battle that defies him against himself to remain in sync and give all he’s got to win. This is the common occurrence during race days that Bugsay is in control of. “Sabay!” has been the magic word shouted to beget togetherness on the boat. And when one reaches the limit of strength and pain, there is always this ease that out-skills the other teams.
When dragon boating was first introduced in the island, the first Bugsay men’s team were popularly called the BomBom Boys who, by reputation, were the island’s macho exotic locals and are usually seen bumming around the beach. The group was composed of artists, outdoor athletes, divers, bar workers, entertainers, musicians, tribal percussionists (who play bongos, jembe, didjeredoo, etc.), and returning tourists. On the other hand, the women’s team is made up of students, athletes, ex-pats, returning visitors, business owners, and housewives, called “the mommies” whose 
main concern was to be fit and to socialize. There are members who even quit their jobs just to focus on the months-long training and paddle.
This mix of people seemed impossible to organize since everyone had different reasons and purpose for joining the training, aside from having personalities that differ from one another. The combination of skin color, lifestyle, interests, age, and body structures is evident since there was no particular criteria to be in the team. It was by committing oneself to be present in the daily afternoon calisthenics and listening to Ms Lara Saguisag’s (of the UP dragon boat team then) teachings about basics and skills in paddling that one is accepted as part of the team.
Just to give a little insight – a dragon boat team according to international standards consists of 20-22 crew members including the steersman and drummer. This is the kind of water sport where power and strength of each individual, synchronization as a team and focus are the topmost important qualities. When on the water, the boat and the crew becomes one with no other motive but to move forward in speed. It normally takes months of daily work outs to get the kind of paddling strokes the team decides to adopt and the endurance to keep up in longer distance in the shortest time. Here, unlike in any other sport, no individual will ever be a hero. Every member of the crew is important as one is to carry his own weight and if one bugs down, others have to carry him or her. In physics, the acceleration of a body is directly proportional to the net unbalanced force and inversely proportional to the body's mass - the relationship between force a paddler exerts, weight of the boat and the crew, and acceleration or speed; while the simplest concept is hidden in the “walis tingting” (broomstick) principle. Take it from there.
The enthusiasm of the group withstood the two-month hard training program, which deliberately brought about the “team spirit” during the race day. The First Boracay Dragon Run in 2001 marked the birth of Bugsay in the Philippine Dragon Boat circuit. It was not a surprise that the newbies won and ranked top among 15 local and Manila teams. Though Lara forgot to orient the team that a dragon boat has a dragon head, tail and a drum come race day (that some didn’t bother to research), she has established the passion for dragon boating into the hearts of these islanders.
Since then, during the yearly dragon boat season, the team continued to grow in number, strength, relationships, and spirit. The addition of “Bugsay Ati Team” demonstrated the inimitable camaraderie as the sport edified these indigenous islanders (who used to fish for living) that they, too, can do well in prestigious sporting events. While the Bugsay Women’s Team never failed to get golds, if not silver, in the yearly Boracay races. This group of active women (then called Bugsay Blades), who mostly are mothers, cuts more than the other teams simply because they have a high tolerance for pain. Of course we understand that giving birth is the most unimaginable pain men can never experience. Perhaps, the strongest women of the team according to their coach are the young mothers of two to three kids. What other explanation need there be in that winning equation?
With Jeff Galindez as resident coach for six years, Bugsay has been consistent in winning the Boracay International races and became one of the top club teams in the Philippines. For this year’s 1st Rudy Project Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival held recently on April 27-28, the team won three golds, two silvers and one bronze in the 300m and 500m Mixed, Women’s and Men’s categories, out of 20 teams from Manila and abroad. For this reason, aiming for international championships outside the country has come. Now included in the team’s list of achievements are two Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races (2006 – Sha Tin River, 2007 – Tsim Sha Tsui) and two Stanley Championships (2006 – 2007) and the Macau International Race. Through the Hong Kong International races, Bugsay is known to be among the top club teams in Asia. A representative group from Bugsay joined the Philippine Team in the recent World Championships held in Sydney Australia, upon the invitation of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation. Plans of joining the World Club Crew Championships next year in Penang, Malaysia is already in their calendar.
The success of the team and the opportunity to compete in Asia’s prestigious regattas, is accounted for by the efforts of each paddler - from daily morning and afternoon trainings to fundraising at 
night. The talents of each member were used in a great package that made sponsors, residents, and visitors support the team’s cause. The variety of personalities in the team, the sponsorship strategies and networking abilities made the team of 60 members travel and experience the fun in foreign waters. And yes, they frequently drink the booze!
Dragon boating could bring out the best and the worst in you. It may save you and get you into believing that dragon boating is life…at least for one season. It’s undeniable that Bugsay has something more than what the usual “team spirit” any team has. Though there were instances of hardships and struggles about friendships, family, individual principles in intense drama, there is this tie that binds us together and it’s being renewed every season and in every winning moment.
Everybody is welcome to join the team whether to train or party, but one has to be tough enough to outlast the Bugsay way of getting things done. Bomtiyaya!
Azenith Resurreccion
October 2007
