4th Olango Challenge at Tambuli on April 30

4th Olango Challenge at Tambuli on April 30
By Mars G. Alison
Cebu Daily News
March 23, 2011

The Olango Challenge returns for its fourth undertaking at the Tambuli Beach Club on April 30.

The open water swimming competition is a fund-raising activity spearheaded by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in partnership with the Philippine Aquatic Sports Association (PASA) for the benefit of the people of Olango Island.

The PBSP is the largest corporate-led social development foundation in the Philippines. Founded in 1970, and the first of its kind in Asia, PBSP leads the promotion and practice of corporate citizenship.

PBSP encourages companies to integrate social responsibility into their core businesses, and advocates the application of business solutions to poverty.

The competition, which follows the same format with that of the open water swim category of the Beijing Summer Olympics, is aimed at promoting open water swimming marathon discipline in the country.

The Olango Challenge was the first open-water marathon swimming competition held in the country and has been emulated in Batangas.

It also serves as an advocacy campaign to highlight the importance of a clean marine environment and raise awareness about the high incidence of drowning in the Philippines.

In last year's 3rd Olango Challenge, Nikita Dacera and 15-year-old Palarong Pambansa multiple gold medalists Erika Lukang overcame slightly rough waters and jelly fish stings to rule the men's and women's divisions of the 5K competitive category.

Dacera is a member of the Dadiangastorpedoes Swim Cub while Lukang is a member of the Philippine Center for Excellence in Aquatic Sports (PCEAS).

Last year's proceeds allowed for the reforestation of 5,200 trees on Olango Island while the construction of another two-room classroom building for the public elementary school at barangay Caw-Oy shall begin next week and should be completed in time for the 2011-2012 school year.

Proceeds of this year’s Olango Challenge will be used for an extensive reforestation effort of Olango Island.

For four years now, the Olango Challenge continues to help improve the lives of 2,300 families on Olango Island through the delivery of basic social services, the provision of sustainable income opportunities and the rehabilitation of the unique environment of the island.

Past proceeds of the competition went to the construction and refurbishment of classrooms, the promotion and practice of organic vermiculture and the greening of Olango Island.

Those interested could either choose from the 2K and 6K competitive, competitive relay or the fun categories.

Registration fee is pegged at P500 for the 2K and 6K competitive swim, P500 for the competitive relay category and P2,000 for the fun category.

Discounts will be given to those who register on or before April 8. For more information, please call Riva of PBSP at (032) 232-5270 or 232-5283 or Alex of PASA at (02) 687-7403.