VIP SWIM CHALLENGE: A Race To Protect The Verde Island Passage

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June 12, 2016 – The VIP SWIM CHALLENGE event is a cooperation between BETSY MEDALLA, an openwater swimming crusader, and former Philippine Olympian AKIKO THOMPSON GUEVARRA and Engineer husband CHIPS GUEVARRA. Both Akiko and Chips are staunch protectors of the environment as well as Swim School Entrepreneurs. The VIP Challenge has the complete support of local government and concerned residents of Lobo, Batangas!

The VIP swim challenge has been a 2.5 & 5km swim which started from Lobo Beach, in a loop that takes the swimmers parallel to the shore and into the Malabrigo marine sanctuary and back. The swim is in support of Lobo, Batangas’ push to grow its ecotourism activities and help to launch its Love Our Beautiful Outdoors (LOBO) campaign, a more sustainable counter measure to looming developments in mining and other big industries that threaten the Verde Island Passage ecosystem.

Here are some of the highlights of the said event:

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This event shows how Loboeños love the environment and the growing concern not only of the elder-lies but also of the millennials in conserving and protecting the rich and diverse eco-system. This new yet refreshing team-up of love for swimming and nature conservation is humankind’s adaptation to the growing need and demand of nature in preserving its glory and beauty.

Winners of the said events are Ms. Alyssa Fajermo for the under 2.5 km swim and Mr. Ronald Molit for the 5 km category.

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Swim lovers and professional competitors can enjoy this wonderful event once more this coming May 2017.
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