In the northeastern portion of Taal Lake lays the City of Tanauan, making it a good point for tourism, and it lived up to the title by holding the Mayor SPC Cup 2026: Leg 1 PDBF Philippine Dragon Boat Regatta, one of the key celebrations honoring its 25th cityhood anniversary.
Hailing from multiple lands in the Philippines, 25 teams compete for six categories through the salutable coordination between the city government led by Mayor Sonny Perez Collantes, alongside the Tanauan City Sports Development Office, the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation, and the Strength Project.
According to a bulletin, this is the first of four legs of the 2026 PDBF Philippine Dragon Boat Regatta, which will subsequently decide team rankings across the country.
The Ambulong-Bañadero Baywalk had served as the race venue for the following categories: 200m Premier Open Standard (DB22), 200m Premier Mixed Standard (DB22), 200m Premier Women Small Boat (DB12), 200m Senior-A Open Small Boat (DB12), 200m Senior-A Mixed Small Boat (DB12), and 200m 24&Under Open Small Boat (DB12).
At the close of each race, these teams earned the coveted accolade, as follows:
U24 Open Final
- Champion: Baghawi
- 1st Runner-Up: AmpPhi
- 2nd Runner-Up: Sigasig Dragon
- 3rd Runner-Up: Dragons Republic
Senior Open Final
- Champion: Pirates
- 1st Runner-Up: Manila Klasiko
- 2nd Runner-Up: Bomba Pilipinas
- 3rd Runner-Up: Pemcor Paddlers
Premier Open Grand Final
- Champion: Philippine Coast Guard
- 1st Runner-Up: BJMP Metal Dragons
- 2nd Runner-Up: SAGWAN Tanauan
- 3rd Runner-Up: AIMS Blue Sharks
Premier Mixed Grand Final
- Champion: Philippine Coast Guard
- 1st Runner-Up: PNP Maritime Group
- 2nd Runner-Up: Rogue Pilipinas
- 3rd Runner-Up: UP Dragon Boat Team
Premier Women Grand Final
- Champion: PNP Maritime Group
- 1st Runner-Up: Philippine Coast Guard
- 2nd Runner-Up: Rogue Pilipinas
- 3rd Runner-Up: United Paddlers Club
Senior Mixed Final
- Champion: PNP Patriot
- 1st Runner-Up: AmpPhi
- 2nd Runner-Up: Rogue Pilipinas
- 3rd Runner-Up: United Paddlers Club
When asked about the value of such sports, the Strength Project president stated, “It shows unity. It helps bring your A game. Majority po ng mga sports sa Philippines, sana po matulungan natin lahat ng mga kabataan at aspiring athletes. Bigyan din po natin ng focus ‘yung sports program ng Philippines.”
Then they continued, “To Mayor Sonny P. Collantes, to Vice Mayor Dodong Ablao, maraming maraming salamat po sa pagtanggap sa amin at sa pagtitiwala po na mairaraos po namin ‘yung event na ‘to ng maayos at safe.”
For the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation, the event would not be feasible without the huge support of the people. “Maraming salamat po sa pagpapatuloy ninyo sa aming mahigit 1,200 paddlers mula sa 25 teams na sumali sa ating karera. We are happy to help the local tourism of Tanauan through our sporting activity. All hotels and resorts surrounding the venue were fully booked! Pop-up stalls and restaurants had thousands to serve.”
They expressed their intention to return for a larger dragon boat competition, saying, “Nawa po ay makabalik kami sa Lungsod ng Tanauan upang magdala ng higit pang malaki, masaya, at matagumpay na dragon boat competition sa inyong natatanging pamayanan.”
Carrying a catchphrase “Sagwan ng Pagkakaisa, Sagwan ng Tagumpay,” it illustrates that success takes a village, and amid the vastness of the seas, unity stands out the most for each kind.