The Department of Tourism (DOT) Region VI kicked off the first leg of the Western Visayas International
Open Water Swim Circuit (IOWC) in Sipalay City in Negros Occidental last Feb. 17 and 18 to promote
sustainable sports tourism in the province.
More than 140 swimmers—from seasoned triathletes to aspiring swimmers—competed in the 1.5km,
3km and 5km open water swim categories, with the calm waters of the city’s Campomanes coast
providing the ideal venue for the race.
The promotion for the IOWC and its four legs started late 2023. DOT VI tapped the Zamboanga Open
Water Swimming Club (ZOWSC) to oversee the races. The club, together with the different concerned
agencies of Sipalay City, conducted three assessment and recon swims at the Campomanes-Ballo
Marine Reserve and Sanctuary, met with the Coast Guard District Western Visayas, and applied other
measures to ensure the safety of the swimmers.
The 2-day meet saw the participants being warmly welcomed by the city on day one, while they took
advantage of the time by checking out the waters in Punta Ballo Beach. They were also treated to the
magnificent sunset over the city, and then served delicious meals and local delicacies.
The race on day two was held at daybreak, with swimmers released by batches in 5-minute intervals,
and the farthest swim distance (5K) held first, followed by the 3K and 1.5K distances.
Dominating the 1.5km swim in their respective age categories are:
11&below
1 st Cayenne Piol
2 nd Alexandra Dela Cruz
3 rd Sofia Estante
12-17 Female
1 st Philomena Nazareno
2 nd Keisha Lampon
3 rd River O’Bryant
18-29 Female
1 st Yuna Tanamor
2 nd Angel Belnas
3 rd Precious Gaurana
18-29 Male
1 st Jan Paolo Bongco
30-39 Female
1 st Chelcie Olmedo
2 nd Jeanne Furbeyre
3 rd Jeanne Lizares
30-39 Male
1 st Joseph Dennis Flores
2 nd Joshua Vargas
3 rd Romeo Malata
40-49 Female
1 st Vanessa Agdon
2 nd Eloise Javelosa
3 rd Flom Datoy
40-49 Male
1 st Antonio Piol
50&up Female
1 st Gilda Scribner
2 nd Ma. Monica Rodriguez
3 rd Sheila Omaguig
Here are the top 3k swimmers in each age category:
12-17 Male
1 st Franze Louise Lumogdang
2 nd Prince Trismark Ungab
3 rd Nathanael Ade
18-29 Female
1 st Allyxa Dawn Asaldo
2 nd Erla Marie Abrea
3 rd Bea Marie Litonjua
18-29 Male
1 st Desmond Joy Yap
2 nd Ervi Bilangdal
3 rd Keith Bagnisal
30-39 Female
1 st Ma. Cleistah Sabusap
2 nd Urie Hondrade
3 rd Christine De Jesus
30-39 Male
1 st Christopher Vergara
2 nd Eduardo Miguel Lacanlale
3 rd Junboy Clavecillas
40-49 Female
1 st Catherine Escalante
2 nd Linsey Deluca
3 rd Catherine Vergara
40-49 Male
1 st Franklin Echevarria
2 nd Marianito Ramirez
50&up Male
1 st Audie Litrada
2 nd Pyt Trimañez
And finally, the swimmers who pushed their limits and conquered the 5km open water swim:
12-17 Female
1 st Aaliyah Silapan
12-17 Male
1 st Nathan Eliel Hiponia
2 nd Mark Lionel Maalihan
3 rd Zakariyya Silapan
18-29 Male
1 st Fernando Vista
2 nd Mark David Canillo
3 rd Nath Joernaldo
30-39 Female
1 st Marianne Jade Alcantara
30-39 Male
1 st JMark Cabasac
2 nd Kevin Espinosa
3 rd Archie Roy Lemoncito
40-49 Female
1 st Meow Rojas
40-49 Male
1 st Agapito Aplaon, Jr.
2 nd Juperson De Los Santos
3 rd Frederick Castillo
50&up Male
1 st Rodney Dejilla
2 nd John Bael
3 rd Jamasali Usman
Top honors went to Edjohn Javelosa, Joselito Sion and Kasmier Butnande for their stellar performance
in the 1.5km alongside Rhianne Gonzales, Rinoah Tanamor and Remselle Limcao, while Troy Castor,
Rynz Cortado and Clint Lobaton took the overall ranks in the 3k together with Alexandra Torillo,
Lizhanna Ang and Ma. Loryne Lencioco.
Sky Gako, Intnyr Gutana and Jetro Abilla spearheaded the overall 5km male category, while Naomi
Hiponia, Nathalie Santillan and Aika Ascalon earned their medal as the top females who finished the
5km open water swim race.
The second leg of the Western Visayas Open Water Circuit will take part at Sicogon in Carles, Iloilo on
April 14, while Boracay will be the fourth and last stop and is scheduled on September 22.
Those who joined the race for leg 1 of the IOWC were unanimous in saying that Sipalay as a gracious
host and a picturesque city did not disappoint. The city, tagged as the “Jewel of the Sugar Island,” is
among the most visited places in Negros Occidental.
And now it’s on the map of many serious swimmers, as well.
