Andrew Kim Remolino in action during the 9th Olango Challenge initiated by the Philippine Business for Social Progress. He ruled the Male 6K Competitive category. (CDN PHOTO/FERDINAND EDRALIN)
Sixteen-year old Kim Remolino overcame jellyfish stings and unpredictable water currents to rule the Male 6K Competitive race yesterday’s 9th Olango Challenge at the Pacific Cebu Resort in Barangay Suba-Basbas, Lapu-lapu City.
Remolino, the son of renowned swimming coach Roland Remolino, finished with an elapsed time of 1:18:25 in beating former University of San Carlos (USC) Warrior Keith Ocampo (1:19:41) and University of Cebu’s (UC) Michael Ichiro Kong (1:24:41).
Ocampo led Remolino entering the third loop, before the Talisay City National Science High School tanker took the lead for good in the fourth loop to win by more than one minute.
Remolino dedicated his win to a nephew whose baptismal he will spend part of his cash prize.
Meanwhile, UC’s Karen Mae Indaya improved on her third place finish last year in the Female 6K Competitive with an elapsed time of 1:28:58.
Trailing the sweet looking Indaya, who is also a member of the Cebu City Blue Marlins, were Camille Shayne Pacabis at second place (1:32:40) and teammate Trina Cañeda at third (1:34:22).
Defending Female 6K Competitive champion Loren Dale Echavez did not join this year’s swim.
In other results, Alfred Latrell Pacabis (32:25) triumphed in the 2K Competitive Male; Justine Reign Garrido (35:42) dominated the 2K Competitive Female; Jericho Taal (1:21:58) ruled the 6K Fun Mixed while Earl Jason Bilangdal (30:47) topped the 2K Fun Mixed.
Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Visayas Chapter president Jose Antonio Aboitiz said he was delighted at this year’s edition which had no serious incidents unlike last year wherein a male competitor died.
He also admitted that he was “definitely quiet shaken” by the death of Eduardo Oriondo who succumbed to a heart attack while competing. Despite the tragedy, Aboitiz assured he’s not letting go of the event.
“I got a lot of encouragement from different people and pledgors and swimmers to continue the race,” he said.
“We actually have had the same kind of safety measures that we’ve always had in place which includes the definite number of lifeguards, definite number of support beats, definite trial runs of the course and medical staff and emergency personnel at the course,” he added.