June 24, 2006

By DIANE CASTILLEJO-GARCIA
with JACKIE CASTILLEJO

The white sands of Boracay were buzzing with action. Celebrities, personalities and the media flew to the paradise for one of the hottest beach parties of the summer dubbed, "Boracay Bound Party Series Number 5."

The party just kept getting better and better. It had so many games: frisbee, flag football, volleyball and even dodge ball. Partygoers also sailed on the luxurious yacht where the party was held. Life is indeed so good when you’re in Boracay.

If there was one thing we noticed different about the party, it was the hardcore participation of the guests in games where fancy Motorola phones are at stake. The phones were given away every 30 minutes all throughout the duration of the weekend party.

There was no room for guests to sit for the highlight of the weekend, the Motorola G adventure race, stirred everybody on the island.

Did I mention how parties are so much fun on the beach, when you’re under the scorching sun?

At one time or another, each one of us played a personal version of dodge ball we learned way back in our school years. This time was different though because we played the game on the beach and not in school. Instead of dodging balls, we dodged water balloons. So we thought it was a great version. The goal, of course, is not to get hit by the water balloon or else you’re out of the game. But if you do get hit, the splash of water on your head or body spelled instant relief from the heat. It was so cool.

The competition got really intense. Every time a team employed more power, strategies started to come into play.

Well, the dodge ball game was tougher than it seemed. But no matter how hard the game on the beach turned to be, everyone ended up going down on an easy street. It was simply because life on the beach was all about taking it nice and easy.

We were dead set in learning the ABCs of flag football. Party organizers invited the formidable Jagermeister flag football team from Manila to introduce to the island the fast rising sport. It was the first time the crowd there learned how to play flag football.

The rules seemed pretty confusing in the beginning. The boys from the Manila team just simplified their explanation so we could get familiar with the game mechanics easily. In the end, we all got it. The rules were simple: catch the football and run to the opposing team’s goal line and whatever you do, you should not let your opponent take the flag around your waist while you’re holding the football.

Since the sun was scorching, we agreed to play for only five minutes per half of the game. The space we were allowed to play in was reduced to only the beach front of Club Paraw.

It was steaming. The heat made it seem like we were playing longer and running harder than we actually were.

When time was already ticking down on the game and massive beads of sweat trickled down my entire body, I was finally able to catch the ball. Upon seeing an opportunity, I went all the way to hit the goal. I told myself, “It’s now or never!”

So there, my first ever flag football was a touch down.

I definitely see flag football gaining popularity on the beach.