Camille Naredo

Rowers at the Marabulig River in Cauayan. Handout/PSC

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ROWING

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783153919767DSC09186.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Rowers at the Marabulig River in Cauayan. Handout/PSC"/>Rowers at the Marabulig River in Cauayan. Handout/PSC</div>MANILA -- Joe Rodriguez was serving his community as a barangay councilor when he was called back to the sport that made him a five-time gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games.The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in partnership with the city of Cauayan and the Philippine Rowing Association (PRA), had chosen the city to host a regional training center for rowing.Rodriguez, 55, saw the opportunity as a chance to give back to the sport that had transformed his life.He laid the groundwork for the initiative and answered the challenge of PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio: form an eight‑man rowing team and entries for quad events, disciplines where the Philippines has yet to regularly field competitors internationally.&quot;By planting the seeds of this training center in Cauayan, we are investing in a generation that will row not only for medals but for the pride of the nation. This is how grassroots sports become the backbone of international success,&quot; said Gregorio.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/6/13/ph-rowing-team-gets-incentives-after-triumph-in-asian-tilt-1815">READ: PH rowing team gets incentives after triumph in Asian tilt</a></div>The PSC delivered four‑seater and eight‑seater boats during the recent Cagayan Valley Sports and Youth Summit hosted by Cauayan City Mayor Cesar Dy and brought in decorated coaches who had themselves won medals for the country, including 2000 Sydney Olympian Benjie Tolentino.For Rodriguez, the mission is personal.&quot;Binago ng rowing ang buhay ko. Lumaki ako na nagpapakain lang ng mga kalabaw pero noong napili ako sa national team, nagbago lahat,&quot; he said.&quot;Ibabahagi ko lahat ng natutunan ko bilang atleta pati na rin ang mga natutunan ko sa mga local and international coaches,&quot; he added.Dy is confident that their local rowers are in good hands with Rodriguez leading the way.&quot;With Joe Rodriguez guiding them, they will see a success story firsthand. With time, dedication, and hard work, they can reach the podium,&quot; he said.The Cagayan Valley Sports and Youth Summit featured representatives from sports organizations, educational institutions and local government officials in the region. The guest list included Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Atty. Erika Dy and National Youth Commission commissioner for Luzon Michael Christophe Agustin.Karate Pilipinas president Richard Lim tackled the best practices in optimizing sports association and club management, Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president Marcus Manalo discussed sports psychology for performance and athlete well-being and PSC Chief of Staff Prof. Louise Jashil Sonido talked about social media for sports promotion.Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization head Dr. Alejandro Pineda Jr. discussed anti-doping while sports journalist June Navarro tackled the best practices in mainstream media.Cauayan City Sports Development head Jonathan Medrano said that this is the first summit of its kind in the region, with plans to expand training centers for ball games, archery, futsal, cycling, swimming, and more.

Joe Rodriguez was serving his community as a barangay councilor when he was called back to the sport that made him a five-time gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games.

Joe Rodriguez was serving his community as a barangay councilor when he was called back to the sport that made him a five-time gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games.

Former SEAG champion looks to build world-class rowing team from Cauayan

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Former SEAG champion looks to build world-class rowing team from Cauayan

ABS-CBN News

Published July 04, 2026 04:32 PM PHT

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Cauayan

rowing

Philippine Sports Commission

PSC

Philippine Rowing Association

PRA

Joe Rodriguez

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