PSC steers Cauayan toward rowing greatness

Cauayan City—On the quiet banks of Cauayan’s Marabulig River, Joe Rodriguez was serving his community as a barangay councilor when destiny called.

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.

For the 55-year-old Rodriguez, a five‑time SEA Games gold medalist and former national team standout, the call was a chance to give back to the sport that transformed his life.

Rodriguez didn’t hesitate. He immediately began laying the groundwork for the initiative, answering PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio’s challenge: form an eight‑man rowing team and entries for quad events, disciplines where the Philippines has yet to regularly field competitors internationally.

“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,” said Gregorio.

With only three countries contesting the eight‑man event in the SEA Games, the opportunity for a medal is within reach.

The PSC delivered world‑class equipment—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.

“The rowers will be in good hands. With Joe Rodriguez guiding them, they will see a success story firsthand. With time, dedication, and hard work, they can reach the podium,” said Dy.

The training center is more than a medal factory. It is part of a broader PSC-Cauayan collaboration to create safe spaces for sports, highlighted during the two-day summit.

The goal: empower youth, instill discipline, and strengthen both physical and mental health. Mayor Dy emphasized that sports are about shaping responsible citizens, not just champions.

“The Cagayan Valley Sports and Youth Summit is a declaration,” Gregorio said.

“We are telling our young people that sports are their safe space, their classroom of discipline, and their arena of dreams. If we succeed here, we succeed in building a stronger, healthier, and more responsible generation for the country.”

Graced by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Atty. Erika Dy and National Youth Commission commissioner for Luzon Michael Christophe Agustin, the summit was attended by representatives from sports organizations, educational institutions and local government officials in the region.

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.

“It’s youth empowerment. We’re giving importance to the youth to become future leaders,” Medrano said.

For Rodriguez, the mission is deeply personal.

“Binago ng rowing ang buhay ko. Lumaki ako na nagpapakain lang ng mga kalabaw pero noong napili ako sa national team, nagbago lahat,’’ said Rodriguez.

“Ibabahagi ko lahat ng natutunan ko bilang atleta pati na rin ang mga natutunan ko sa mga local and international coaches,’’ added Rodriguez.