The PADS Dragon Boat Team started with a single paddler, Daisy Jane Omega, who joined Maunes for practice one Sunday morning at the Cebu Yacht Club. Slowly but surely, the number of paddlers grew, with more PWDs from Cebu City, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu joining the team each week.

However, the logistical challenges were immense—many team members had limited transportation options, and some paddlers travelled significant distances for practice. Maunes even ferried some members himself. One paddler, a fisherman from Talisay City, would paddle his way to training, navigating Cebu’s waters before practice even began.

Today, the team fields a diverse group: blind paddlers, deaf paddlers, amputees, wheelchair users and those with developmental disabilities. It is the first cross-disability dragon boat team in the Philippines, and their training grounds have become a space for transformation.

PADS has created adaptive practices, using dragon boat-specific sign language to communicate with deaf paddlers and positioning athletes carefully to balance the boat. Training begins at 4.30am, four times a week, to allow those with school, work, or family responsibilities to attend. For these people, dragon boat racing is more than a sport; it’s a route to self-respect, camaraderie, and resilience.

Take the story of Kent Tumangan, who lost his leg to cancer at 16. Tumangan had faced a bleak future until he joined PADS, where he quickly rose to become one of the team’s elite paddlers. Today, he competes internationally and stands as a beacon of hope for other persons with disabilities. His story, like Loceno’s, demonstrates the team’s power to change lives on and off the water. “For these athletes, dragon boat racing isn’t just a sport,” Maunes notes. “It’s a way to rewrite their own stories.”

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The team’s dedication reached new heights in 2018 at the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Carnival. Competing against professional teams, the PADS athletes reached the grand finals, holding their own among seasoned competitors from across Asia. As they approached the starting line, a hush fell over the crowd. The top-seeded Chinese team stood and began to applaud, a gesture of respect that brought the Philippine team to tears. “We earned the respect of the international dragon boat community,” Maunes reflects. “For us, that moment was worth more than any medal.”

This spirit of camaraderie, of respect earned through grit and determination, lies at the heart of PADS’ mission. Their achievements go beyond medals and standings. “Disability is only a perceived weakness,” Maunes asserts. “Our combined disabilities are our greatest strength.” PADS has become a symbol of the resilience found within every Filipino with a disability, and their journey is far from over.

Now, the PADS team is preparing for the 2025 IDBF World Dragon Boat Championships in Germany, where they aim to defend their world title for a third time. But their aspirations extend beyond competition. PADS is also spearheading a campaign to build the first-ever Adaptive Sports and Rehabilitation Center in Mandaue City. This facility will offer free rehabilitative services to indigent PWDs and create a safe, supportive environment where the next generation of adaptive athletes can train, grow and thrive.

This ambitious vision is grounded in PADS’ core belief that sport is the great equaliser, bridging divides and enabling people to reach their full potential. Through their efforts, PADS not only builds athletes but also reshapes the way disability is understood in the Philippines. They challenge perceptions, advocate for inclusivity and pave the way for a more accessible future.

In a country where PWDs are often marginalised, the PADS Dragon Boat Team represents a powerful counter-narrative. Their oars slice through the water, leaving a wake of change and teaching the world to rethink disability. Each stroke symbolises a step closer to equality, a world where every Filipino, regardless of physical limitations, can participate in the joy of sport.

PADS’ legacy will not only be measured by medals or accolades but by the lives they have touched, the barriers they have broken and the future they are building for Filipino athletes with disabilities. As they prepare for Germany, the team is focused not only on their goal but on something bigger—the possibility of making adaptive sports a national movement, a part of everyday life.

For Loceno, Tumangan, and their teammates, PADS is more than a team—it’s a family. This community is a reminder of what is possible. Their journey isn’t just about racing; it’s about creating a world where disability doesn’t define potential. With each paddle, they prove that strength, perseverance and unity can overcome even the most daunting challenges. They’re not just paddling against the current; they’re charting a new course for the next generation.

Support the PADS Dragon Boat Team by reaching out through its Facebook page (PADS Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team) or by emailing John Paul Maunes at [email protected]. 

This article is part of Business of Good, the series that explores how global leaders use their wealth and influence to drive change through philanthropy and positive action. New stories are published on Wednesdays on TatlerAsia.com.

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