MBP History   The inspiration behind the Manila Blazing Paddles Dragon Boat Team came from the campus sport organization. Members of PATTS Bodybuilding Club resolve to organize a local team after hearing about the benefits of the activity both physically and mentally. The project was motivated by an idea of reaching different people in different walks of life. Among several reasons that dragon boating was selected as an initial activity was that it is a perfect for if not one of the best training grounds on one’s development in both physical and mental aspect.   Teams are numerous now across the archipelago and in other countries, but there weren’t many back when Manila Blazing Paddles came into being. Our team began to organize in early September of 2000. Team members were filled with enthusiasm and took up the challenge to get strong. In February 2001, we began our boat workouts at the Manila Yacht club Basin, Manila Bay Philippines. The Amateur Rowing Association of the Philippines’ 1st Regatta was in March. We had one squad of paddlers and we finished the race. Though our race times were less than notable than our previous time, we did win the petite finals and grant us to champion of the said division. Being one the youngest existing dragon boat team in the Philippines today, the Manila Blazing Paddles has generated a continuing growth and the improvement of both team members and the whole organization.   Each year, as our fitness and paddling skills have improved, we have been rewarded by finishing at or near the top. This excellent performance has generated fans, attracted new members, and kept our message in the eye of the public. Our team has grown so that for the past two and a half years, we have had two boats entered in men’s and women’s competitive division.   Through the experience of meeting new friends, the increasing feeling of well-being and the exhilaration of being “in the boat”, there is nothing as quite as much fun as dragon boating. Our individual contributions are important in keeping the team together. There have been, and still remaining, many lessons to learn as we journey through the process. So, come and join us and listen for the call of “paddles up, ready, row!”.