Pinoy Dragon Warriors Win Gold in 2011 IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championship in Tampa Florida

The Philippine Dragon Boat Team won 5 Gold and 3 Silver Medals in the 2011 International Dragon Boat Federation World Dragon Boat Racing Championship over the weekend in Tampa Bay, Florida. The Pinoy Dragon Warriors of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation dominated the Premier Mixed 500 meters small boat race as well as the Premier 1000 meter, Premier 200 meter mixed and men's races.



Despite the Philippine Army Dragon Boat Team's astounding success over the international paddling competition held in the Sedona Channel in downtown Tampa, the "Water Dragons" are not officially sanctioned and recognized by the Philippine government.



This IDBF Gold Medal, 5 to be exact, symbolizes the bitter irony of the Dragon Warrior's plight back home in Manila. Without any support from the Philippine government, the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation had to scrounge funds from private sponsors and donors just to attend the 10th IDBF Championship in Tampa, FL.



The exceptional performance of the Philippine Dragon Boat Team caused lawmakers in the Philippine government to probe and investigate the lack of official government sponsorship. Judging from the "Pinoy" turnout and support in Tampa during the international event, the Dragon Warriors honored their homeland with Gold Medals and worldly recognition despite financial and political drawbacks.



Meet the head coach of the Dragon Warriors, Nestor Ilagan. Local Pinoy support smothered the 2011 IDBF Racing Championship including my family. Food, beverages and gifts showered the Dragon Warriors during the race. Overwhelming is an understatement.



You can view more shot with the Canon EOS Rebel T3i/600D in my Pinoy Dragon Warriors Win Gold in 10th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championship 2011 Gallery.

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TGIF ! Toni Gonzaga In Florida

Filipina Superstar Toni Gonzaga performed in Orlando, Florida to the delight of many at the Osceola Performing Arts Center on Saturday August 7th, 2010.



Toni Gonzaga is on a United States Concert Tour from her native homeland of the Philippines with her sister Alex Gonzaga. Her next destination is Houston, Texas at the University of Houston.



My daughter enjoyed the sights and sounds of the TGIF! She especially liked the Toni and Alex Gonzaga's version of "Love Story" by Taylor Swift and "Baby" by Justin Bieber. The night was complete with an autographed CD Album Magazine "All Me" and a picture perfect photo with the sisters.



I photographed the concert with the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV with the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L II lens. I shot 1080p video with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II with the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L II lens.

You can view photos and videos in my TGIF! Toni Gonzaga In Florida 2010 Gallery.



As for my audio setup for the video capture, I used two shotgun microphones. The Rode VideoMic was attached to the Canon 5D Mark II with manual audio control and the Azden SGM 1X attached to the wireless Sennheiser G2 EW100 transmitter and the wireless Sennheiser G2 EW100 receiver attached to the Canon 1D Mark IV. The wireless setup was needed for mobility because I was shooting pictures and video simultaneously. The 5D Mark II was on a Bogen 501HDV head with Manfrotto legs and the 1D Mark IV was handheld during the entire production.
You can read more post production details in my Toni Gonzaga Youtube Video.