Olango Challenge: Swim For A Cause

The Gilutongan Channel has been conquered! Last May 10, 2008, three (3) Club swimmers, together with our Coach Restie Cruz participated in the Olango Challenge: Swim For A Cause in the City of Lapu-Lapu, province of Cebu.

This was a 5 kilometer swim across the Gilutongan Channel which started at the Sta. Rosa Wharf in Olango and ended at the Shangri-la Mactan Resort. The Olango Challenge was a PASA sanctioned event from where eight (8) national swimmers will be selected by the Philippine Olympic Committe (POC) to represent the Philippines in Marathon Swimming (5K and 10K for men and women) at the 1st Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia on October 18-26, 2008.

All of our 3 swimmers participated in Event 1 which is the Men's 5K Open Water and we're happy to learn that Edward Batoon, Kenneth De Guzman and the youngest entry (at 14), Christian Espenilla have conquered the Gilutongan Channel.

Herewith are their official times and rankings:

1. Batoon, Edward Joseph (17th) - 1:19:24.24


2. De Guzman, Dominic Kenneth (30th) - 1:37:33.44


3. Espenilla, Christian (32nd) - 1:38:04.36

There were 46 finishers in this event with the first finisher clocking an official time of 1:02:40.26. For a complete list of results, you can browse through Mr. Matienzo's site at http://www.emermatienzo.com/.


To Edward, Kenneth, Christian and Coach Restie, congratulations!

PCA-Speedo Jumpstart Fiesta

Our coaching team has recently announced the qualified swimmers to participate in the PCA-Speedo Jumpstart Fiesta. This is a novice competition tol be held on May 24, 2008 at the Philippine Columbian Association, Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila.

A Novice Swimmer is a swimmer who has not competed in any inter-club, inter-school, inter-region swimming competition or any competition composed of two or more teams before May 24, 2008 may participate in this meet.

This competition will serve as the baptism of fire for our novice swimmers namely:

1. Francis Adrian Echavez - 14
2. Whimpee Khale Pua - 13
3. Linus Kyle de Guzman - 12
4. Alessandro Santiago - 11
5. Savier Liron Catura - 11
6. Luis Gabriel Sta. Ana - 10
7. Mark Daniel Arrojado - 10
8. Jone Immanuel Rara - 10
9. Cedrick Jacob - 9
10. Miguel Carlo Santos - 10
11. Elyse Andrew Dedal - 12
12. Gene Esequiel Rosales - 11

Herewith are the schedules as shown on the meet invite:

Age Group 11 and above

• Warm-up : 6:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
• Coaches Meeting: 8:00 a.m.
• Start of Meet : Immediately after the coaches meeting

Age Group 10 and Under

• Warm-up : 12:00nn – 1:00 pm
• Coaches Meeting: 1:00 a.m.
• Start of Meet : Immediately after the coaches meeting

Good luck and have fun to all our swimmers!