Olango Challenge is about building classrooms, island’s kids’ future

Janina Joelle Lu, PBSP’s relationship management officer (right) together with Mario Marababol, Olango Challenge technical consultant, discusses this year’s Olango Challenge during Friday’s (May 3) CDN Sportstalk at the Pacific Cebu Resort. | CDN Digital Immae Lachica

CEBU CITY, Philippines—  A scene from a makeshift classroom under a mango tree started it all for the Philippine Business for Social Progress’s (PBSP) Olango Challenge. 

For 12 years now, Olango Challenge has been doing educational projects for the students in Olango island. 

When it was launched back in 2007, it was the first open water swimming competition in the Philippines. 

The Olango Challenge’s aim is to not just build schools in the islands but to also introduce open water swimming as a sport.

During yesterday’s CDNSportstalk episode, PBSP’s Relationship Management Officer, Janina Lu,  said that they went beyond the borders in just building classrooms but is now supporting scholars to help them get their national certificates.  

This year, Olango Challenge is opening a new category for the open water swimming competition which is the 300 meters kiddie swim. 

This is together with the 1 kilometer competitive and fun and 6 kilometers competitive and fun category. 

The Olango Challenge is also in partnership with the GMCAC, Island Buzz Philippines and Pacific Cebu Resort. 

For those interested in joining this year’s Olango Challenge this May 11 at Pacific Cebu Resort, you can visit their Facebook page.

Olango Challenge has been building schools for 12 years and is now aiming to not just build schools and classrooms is also helping in building the future of the children of Olango island./dbs