CEBU CITY — As the country celebrated National Heroes’ Day on Monday, the Cebu City government honored the Philippine Accessible Disability Services (Pads) Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team and 10-year-old Rubik’s cubist Leo Borromeo as “Modern-Day Heroes”, in a ceremony at Plaza Sugbo in front of City Hall.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who spearheaded the awarding ceremony, said the Pads team and Borromeo are deserving of the accolade as they have conquered all odds to achieve their greatness in their respective fields of endeavor.
“They are inspired. They are motivated to serve as models for others to follow,” the mayor said, referring to the awardees in his brief message during the program.
“Can you imagine a (10-year-old) beating his idol, the world champion? He came out No. 4 in the Asian Championship, (while) the champion settled for fifth,” the mayor said with regard Borromeo, who is currently the fastest speedcuber in the Philippines.
“Our PWDs (persons with disability) also won an international competition. This is their second (straight win) and we’re very proud of them,” said Osmeña of the Pads dragon boat team.
“You don’t have to be somebody special. As long as you strive and you focus, you can beat anyone in the world,” the mayor stressed.
The Pads team and Borromeo were chosen as this year’s recipients of the award – following their outstanding performances in international competitions recently.
The Cebuano dragon boat paddlers courageously conquered their physical disabilities and bested a field of physically-abled contenders from other countries to retain their title in the 2018 China Construction Bank Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races last June 24.
Composed of physically-challenged paddlers, the Pads team defended their crown by finishing the race in 1:33.9, seven seconds ahead of host Golden Eagle squad and 13 seconds earlier than the Top Brilliance team of Taiwan.
Borromeo, on the other hand, finished third runner-up in the World Cube Association Asian Championship 2018 held Aug. 17-19 in New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Borromeo, who will be turning 11 years old on Friday, is ranked No. 1 in the country with an average time of 7.15 seconds. He is also ranked No. 3 in Asia and No. 23 in the world.
Earlier this year, Borromeo also topped the Mindanao Championship, Visayas Championship, and the Cebu Masters tournament, but settled for second best in the Bacolod Cubing Quest.
Pads dragon boat team captain Arnold Balais, in his response, thanked the Cebu City government and Osmeña for the honor accorded them.
“We are really proud and humbled by this award because this is a rare event where persons with disabilities are recognized as heroes,” Balais said in Cebuano. “This will keep us more focus, determined, and hungry to win more medals for Cebu City.”
He expressed hope that their achievements will inspire more PWDs to be more motivated in reaching their goals in life despite their disabilities.
“Nothing is impossible. As long as you give time, effort, and sacrifices, you can achieve your goal,” the one-legged Balais said.
“Our members have assorted disabilities, but we managed to conquer our disabilities because our combined disability is our strength to win against our able-bodied opponents,” he said.
According to Balais, their battle chant during the Hong Kong competition was: “Bugsay hangtud mabuang (Paddle until you lose your sanity).”
The National Heroes Day celebration here was attended by Rep. Raul del Mar of the North District, Vice Mayor Edgardo Abella, Cebu City Police Office director Senior Supt. Royina Garma, city councilors, and other city officials. (Luel Galarpe/PNA)
