Bohol lawyer makes 1st solo swim of Sarangani Bay

SARANGANI BAY (May 11, 2015) – Bohol-based lawyer Ingemar Macarine battles strong currents Sunday, May 10, in the first-ever solo swim of Sarangani Bay from Maasim to Sumbang Point (background). Macarine covered a distance of 12.95 kilometers in 5:55 hours. It was one of his most difficult swims. Strong currents kept pulling him off course so he had to change direction more than 16 times. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Bohol lawyer makes 1st solo swim of Sarangani Bay

By MELODY COSEP and BEVERLY PAOYON
GLAN, Sarangani (May 11, 2015) – A Bohol-based lawyer fought strong current...s Sunday (May 10) in the first-ever solo swim of Sarangani Bay from Maasim to Sumbang Point.

Atty. Ingemar Macarine covered a distance of 12.95 kilometers in 5:55 hours. He said it was one of his most difficult swims.

Strong currents kept pulling him off course so he had to change direction more than 16 times.
“Nakaluha ko ganina kay na reach nako ang Sumbang Point kay sa swim may possibility nga dili ma reach ang target,” Macarine said.

Sumbang Point is a place in Glan where Spanish navigator Ruy Lopez de Villalobos sailed in 1543 in search for provisions according to historical accounts.

“Na feel daw niya na maski unsa nya langoy kusog daw kayo ang sulog,” said Tres Besana, videographer of Sarangani Information Office.

The average speed of Macarine, a pioneer in solo channel swimming in the Philippines, was 2.65 kph with a brief stop every 30 minutes for energy drink or feeding. After covering 6.79 kilometers in three hours, his speed increased to 2.40 kph.

He constantly used freestyle and had no difficulty with his swimming techniques. He was calm and seemed just like practicing throughout the course.

Despite finishing the swim at Sumbang Point instead of the original route in barangay Tango, a few kilometers away, Macarine still considers this swim a successful one because his intention was really to swim from Maasim to any point in Glan.

Atty. Macarine started the swim by reading the Bible and by praying.While swimming, he said, he kept repeating Psalm 23 in his mind, and the thought of his wife and kids waiting for him to finish at the other side of the bay.He was escorted by two boats. A small one carrying his navigator and a bigger boat loaded with mediamen, rescue team and staff of the Provincial Capitol.

His swim was meant to promote tourism in Sarangani Bay and for clean seas and beaches.
“The swim this morning was my own little way of contributing to the Sarbay tourism of your province,” he said. “Thank you to the provincial government especially to Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Ma’am Michelle Solon for sponsoring the swim. Without your support, this event would not have been made possible.”

Sarangani Bay’s strong currents have been bugging swimmers who join Sarbay Festival’s Swim-Across-the-Bay Competition each year.

The fastest time logged is 3:36:46 hours achieved in 2014. This swim relay of five members is one of the most awaited events of Sarbay to be held on May 15-16.

The Swim-across-the-Bay is a brainchild of former Sarangani agriculture chief and marine biologist Giuseppe Chew.“When I made my suggestion to the floor when we had our first meeting to conduct the Sarangani Bay Festival, everyone was laughing at me,” Chew said. “The suggestion was almost killed.”

Chew said the Swim-across-the-Bay “turned out to be the best activity then and highly successful.”
He said it is “the longest open ocean swimming competition in the Philippines and probably in Asia.”
“Who would ever believe historic Sarangani Bay (mentioned in Antonio Pigafetta’s epic journal of Magellan’s expedition), the deepest bay in the Philippines, can be conquered with human prowess?” Chew said.

Michelle Solon, chair of Sarangani Provincial Tourism Council and Region XII Tourism Council hope that the solo swim Of Atty. Macarine would bring more attention to Sarbay. “Atty. Macarine has his advocacies. He is advocating for clean seas. We in Sarangani have the same objective,” Solon said.

In 2006, then Board Member Rommel Tomas Falgui authored a resolution at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan making Sarangani Bay Festival a tool for environmental awareness.

Governor Solon echoed the advocacy of Macarine and noted that Sarangani Bay is a protected seascape through Presidential Decree 756 declared in 1996.

“We are happy that the advocacy of Atty. Macarine is also for clean seas, clean waters, clean beaches and the protection of the environment,” the governor added.

A Surigaonon by birth, Atty. Macarine is now based in Tubigon, Bohol. He is currently the Election Officer of the Municipality of Tubigon. He has finished at least four marathons and four triathlons here and abroad.
Atty. Macarine is the first Filipino to swim from Alcatraz Island Penitentiary to San Francisco City, California, USA (2.7km in 1hour on April 7, 2014).

Before his Sarangani Bay swim, the latest in his 10 long-distance swimming feats was the Santa Fe, Bantayan Island to San Remigio, Mainland Cebu swim with a distance of 19.99 km in 7 hours and 45 minutes last April 12, 2015. The swim was to promote climate change awareness and tourism in San Remigio.

Atty. Macarine follows the Marathon Swimming Federation Rules (such as no floating aids of whatever kind, regular swim suits only, and no physical contact with another human being or with the boats).
Among his future plans is a solo swim of the 10km-San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge to Bay Bridge on May 22, 2015. (Melody Cosep and Beverly Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

HAPPENING: Solo swim across Sarangani Bay

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (May 10, 2015) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (left) and his wife Michelle Lopez Solon (right) brief the press Saturday, May 9, on the swim across Sarangani Bay of Atty. Ingemar Macarine (center). Macarine, also known as The Pinoy Aquaman, started his swim 5am from Kamanga, Maasim Sunday, May 10, that would take him to Tango, Glan covering a distance of about 15 kilometers. His swim serves as the opening event of Sarbay Fest (May 15-16 in Gumasa, Glan) and for environment protection and awareness. Atty. Macarine is the first Filipino to swim from Alcatraz Island Penitentiary to San Francisco City, California, USA (2.7km in 1hour) on April 7, 2014. His latest feat was being the first man to swim from Santa Fe, Bantayan Island to San Remigio, Mainland Cebu with a distance of 19.99km in 7hours and 45minutes last April 12, 2015 to promote climate change awareness and tourism in San Remigio. Atty. Macarine follows the Marathon Swimming Federation Rules (such as no floating aids of whatever kind, regular swim suits only, and no physical contact with another human being or with the boats). A Surigaonon by birth, Atty. Macarine is now based in Tubigon, Bohol. He is currently the Election Officer of the Municipality of Tubigon. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Binuyugan presents Ms. Maitum 2015

MAITUM, Sarangani (May 6, 2015) - Kristine delos Reyes (center), 20, is crowned Ms. Maitum 2015 Tuesday, May 5, as the town celebrates its 56th Foundation Anniversary and 16th Binuyugan Festival. The rest are 1st runner up Jonica Mae Calo (2nd from right), 18; 2nd runner-up Jessica Andaya (2nd from left), 19; Kim Mariel Son (extreme right), 16; and April Kristine Movilla (extreme left), 17. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Culture of peace observed in remote village

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (May 6, 2015) – Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon greets residents of Barangay Kinam on April 22 as villagers in the former rebel-influenced barangay celebrate their 43rd Foundation Anniversary with the theme “Celebrating Success, Through Developing Culture of Peace and Unity.” (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

DA gives P1.5M to rubber growers

MAITUM, Sarangani (May 6, 2015) - Mayor Pepito Catimbang (5th from right) leads the ceremonial turnover of 12,000 rubber seedlings worth P1.5 million to Maitum Rubber Growers Association (MARUGA) from the Department of Agriculture during the Cultural Showcase and Agri-Trade Fair of the 56th Foundation Anniversary and 16th Binuyugan Festival Tuesday, May 5. Also in photo are Renato Fantone (center) of Municipal Agriculturist’s Office, Ernesto Quirit (4th from left), president of MARUGA and some municipal councilors and barangay captains. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

DTI runs info campaigns on EU GSP +

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (April 22, 2015) – Under its Doing Business with Free Trade Areas Program, the Department of Trade and Industry-Sarangani Provincial Office conducts an information session on the European Union’s Generalized Scheme Preference Plus (EU GSP+) for micro entrepreneurs, exporting companies, public officials and civil society organizations of Sarangani on April 16. The EU GSP+ allows beneficiary countries to export 6,274 products to any of the 28 members of the EU bloc at zero tariffs for a period of 10 years. The Philippines, the only beneficiary country of the scheme in Southeast Asia, qualified for the EU GSP+ in December last year. Before gaining the EU GSP+ status, the country was a beneficiary of the regular GSP program which only covered 6,209 products, from which 2,442 products were subject to zero duty and the rest subject to lower tariffs.

Exporters and other interest entrepreneurs can also visit online resources. For more information on the scheme, these can be accessed from http://exporthelp.europa.eu and http://www.dti.gov.ph/dti/index.php/resources. (DTI Sarangani for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Governor Solon affirms support to education program

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (May 6, 2015) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon speaks at the First Parents Teachers Association Convention 2015 on April 21. Governor Solon affirmed his 100 percent support to the educational program in Sarangani thru Sulong Karunungan under his program, Sulong Sarangani, with private partners. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

P100-M concrete road to Kinam approved

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (May 6, 2015) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon delivers his message during the 43rd Foundation Anniversary of Barangay Kinam with the theme “Celebrating Success, Through Developing Culture of Peace and Unity” on April 22. Governor Solon announced the P100 million approved budget from Department of Agrarian Reform for road concreting from Barangay Lun Masla to Barangay Kinam, covered court and three classroom buildings. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

PTA holds convention

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (May 6, 2015) – Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon mingles with members of the Parents Teachers Association during their first convention for Sarangani sponsored by Save the Children in partnership with Sulong Karunungan program of Governor Solon. The theme was “Ginikanan Magtambayayong: Kabataan Ampingan ug Palamboon.” (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

VGO trains Kiblat Women’s Association

MALUNGON, Sarangani (May 6, 2015) – The staff of Vice Governor Jinkee Jamora-Pacquiao and Larry Que, speaker, conduct a two-day Gal E’ Libun Project: Financial Management and Document Training to 30 members of Kiblat Women’s Association at Barangay Kiblat on April 15-16. This is the last leg of the seven financial management trainings conducted all over the province. The women association produces herbal tea, ointments and woven bags. Gal E’ Libun Project is in line with the Sulong Kasaganaan component of the Sulong Sarangani Program of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon. (Quenny D. Dandan/VICE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)

Sarangani officials sing for Pacquiao

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 28, 2015) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (6^th from right) joins Capitol department heads, officials and employees in singing Congressman Manny Pacquiao’s latest single “Lalaban Ako Para sa Pilipino” during the flag raising ceremony Monday (April 27). It was initiated by Sarangani Province Employees Union to show full support to Congressman Pacquiao in his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Tres Besana)

Sarangani employees gather for Pacquiao

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 28, 2015) – Sarangani Province Employees Union president Anacleto “Bobby” Saya-ang leads Capitol employees Monday (April 27) in showing full support to Congressman Manny Pacquiao in his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Tres Besana)

Capitol employees cheer for Pacquiao

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 28, 2015) - Sarangani Province Employees Union president Anacleto “Bobby” Saya-ang (center) leads Capitol employees Monday (April 27) in cheering for Congressman Manny Pacquiao in his upcoming fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Tres Besana)

Sulong Kalikasan goes bamboo

MAITUM, Sarangani (April 15, 2015) - Rolando Tuballes, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer(PENRO), orients residents on agro-forestry and river bank rehabilitation by planting bamboos. The meeting was held at Barangay Kalaong Tuesday, April 14. Kalaong is a recipient of agro-forestry project of Sulong Sarangani Program under Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and PENRO’s Sulong Kalikasan. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Operation Tuli

GLAN, Sarangani (April 14, 2015) – Board Member Elmer De Peralta who is a doctor by profession conducts circumcision during the “Operation Tuli” Sunday, April 12, at Glan Gymnasium. The “Operation Tuli” benefitted over 145 young male. The event is a special project of the Emmanuel and Jinkee's Heart Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the Provincial Vice Governor’s Office and Local Government of Glan. (Almin T. Abejaron/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Smile Your Way to My Heart

GLAN, Sarangani (April 14, 2015) – Emmanuel and Jinkee’s Heart Foundation and in partnership with Provincial Vice Governor’s Office, Philippine Dental Association, Inc. and Local Government of Glan conduct a dental mission dubbed as “Smile Your Way to My Heart” at Glan Gymnasium on April 12. Seventy five residents received dental services such as tooth extraction and fluoride treatment. (Almin T. Abejaron/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Kiamba hosts Sports Summit

KIAMBA, Sarangani (April 14, 2015) - Sarangani athletes hit the field during the 1st Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Vice Governor Jinkee J. Pacquiao Sports Summit 2015 held at Kiamba National High School ground on April 9. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

BM Martinez opens Sports Summit

KIAMBA, Sarangani (April 14, 2015 - Board Member Cornelio Martinez declares the opening of 1st Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Vice Governor Jinkee J. Pacquiao Sports Summit 2015 Wednesday, April 8. The athletes from the seven municipalities are competing from April 8 to April 16 in these events: soccer, badminton and table tennis. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani holds IP leaders’ forum

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 8, 2015) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon delivers his message Tuesday, April 7, during the Indigenous People Leaders Forum 2015 with the theme “Empowering our IP Leaders in Establishing Partnership for Peace, Development and Prosperity in Ancestral Domains/Indigenous Cultural Communities.” He lauded the IPs in the province as truly blessed and empowered thru government interventions that uplifted their quality of life. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)