THE CITY'S SWIMMERS

Maasin City was known all throughout the Visayas for producing good swimmers.  Every time the Eastern Visayas Athletic Association (EVRAA) meet was held, the city will emerge as the top medal harvester at the pool.

Jilma Maraon, a former Palaro medalist, was at the helm as coach and trainer of the Maasin City swimmers starting 2005 when we hosted the EVRAA and sent our first batch of swimmers to competition including my three sons.

But it was in the Ormoc City EVRAA in 2006 when we began to win category titles especially for the secondary girls.

Maasin City Sports Council produced two Palarong Pambansa gold medalists in swimming.  Edison Pacsa won a gold in the 50 meter breaststroke in Puerto Princesa in 2008 with a time of 37.17 seconds.  Christian Ivan Salud won the gold of the same event in 35.10 seconds and the silver in the 100 meter breaststroke in Lingayen, Pangasinan in 2012.

Another milestone in the city's swimming was achieved by a Maasihon, this time in the long distance feat by a golden aged triathlete.  Urbano Baculanta, 50 years old, became the first Maasin City resident to swim the sea traversing the city waters from the first barangay of the next town, Ichon, Macrohon.

“If a person my age can still be physically fit and active, how much more the younger ones,” Baculanta was quoted by Philippine Information Agency (PIA) before he plunged into the water for the city's historic distance swim.  “I just want people to exercise regularly, that’s the message I want to impart,” he added.

The adventurous exploit began at 8:02 in the morning on January 18, 2014, a Saturday.

The drizzly weather added more challenge as relentless rains brought by tropical depression “Agaton” almost cancelled the activity. But Baculanta pushed through with the ocean adventure escorted by the city rescue boat.

Baculanta estimated that he would cover the six kilometer distance in four hours.   But instead went faster by finishing it in two hours, 20 minutes, 15 seconds.

And believe it or not, he learned how to swim only at the late age of 38.  And 12 years later he realized his treasured dream.