Echavez wrests away 2nd straight 6k title

Echavez wrests away 2nd straight 6k title
By Mars G. Alison
Cebu Daily News
May 20, 2012

Loren  Dale Echavez showed that she no longer fears long-distance open-water swimming competition as she successfully retained her title in the 6-kilometer competitive category of the 5th Olango Challenge yesterday at the Tambuli East in Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City.

Echavez not only clinched her second straight title but also improved her time from last year’s one hour, 23 minutes and 40.87 seconds to 1:22:19.22.

Echavez, who was leading the contest all the way, said that having joined the event three times already made her comfortable with the open-waters.

Finishing second to Echavez was Beth Mae Arellano of the Cebu Blue Marlins Swimming Club (CBMSC) after clocking 1:41:29.25 while third place was copped by another USC tanker in Rozelle Marie Diaz with her time of 1:41:31.56.

The men’s 6K title went to  Kiefer Ticao of the Makati Skipjack Swim Club. He finished the race in 1:23:19.22

Second and third places went to Cebuano tankers Keith Ocampo, who swam under Team RAFI, and Tristan Kirk Ebon of CBMSC. Ocampo clocked 1:28:39.68 while Ebon had a time of 1:30:49.58.

The 2k competitive men and women’s title were won by Gavin Solijon of Team RAFI and Trina Caneda of CBMSC.

The mixed 6K fun top 3 finishers were Marlon Galo, Rico Enriquez and Matthew Vincent Vega.

The mixed 2K fun, on the other hand, had Dianne Kaye Sy, Ivan Filomenes and Kristine Anne Sy in the top 3.

A total of 112 participants took part in the event organized by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in cooperation with the Philippine Swimming Inc. formerly Philippine Aquatic Sports Association.

Aside from being the Philippine’s premiere open-water long-distance swimming competition, the event is also a fund-raising project of the PBSP for the residents of Olango Island.

Olango Challenge on today

Olango Challenge on today
By Mars Alison
Cebu Daily News
May 19, 2012

HUSBAND and wife Lhoriz and Mendel Lopez compete against each other in the 5th Olango Challenge, which kicks off today at the Tambuli East in Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City.

The duo will be seeing action in the 2-kilometer competitive swimming category.

This will be the first swimming competition for Lhoriz after giving birth to their son last February.

Lhoriz is a former member of the Philippine junior swimming team while Mendel is a noted runner. Both have since shifted to the sport of triathlon.

Lhoriz’s younger sister Loren Dale Echavez will return to defend her title in the 6k competitive category.

Echavez, who admitted to not being comfortable in this kind of competition the first time she tried it two years ago, captured her first long-distance open water swimming title via last year’s edition of this competition.

Ironically, she was supposed to miss out the Olango Challenge last year since she was scheduled to see action in an international swimming competition
in Hong Kong. However, a delayed passport made her stay and instead try her hand again with the Olango Challenge.

As of 6 p.m. last night, 100 swimmers have already signed up for what is considered as the Philippine’s premiere open-water swimming marathon organized by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in cooperation with the Philippine Aquatic Sports Association (PASA).

Olango open-water marathon swim on May 19

Take a plunge on May 19!

Now is the time to kick off those running shoes, take a day off from fun runs and take a plunge at the Mactan Channel as you test your skills on open water swimming.

Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Philippine Aquatic Sports Association (PASA) invite all professional and amateur swimmers to join the 5th OLANGO CHALLENGE, a fund-raising open water swimming competition.

The first of its kind in the country, the 5th OLANGO CHALLENGE will take place at Tambuli Beach Club, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on May 19, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Launched in 2008, the event was crafted with the same dynamic as that of open water swim category of the Beijing Summer Olympics to help promote open water swimming marathon discipline in the Philippines.

The swimming event 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.

For five years, the Olango Challenge caught the participation of more than 500 amateur and competitive swimmers from all over the country and from America and Japan, as they not only tested their skills but also contributed to the development efforts of Olango Island, an island located in Lapu-Lapu City wherein communities solely depend on fishing as their livelihood.

The event raised more than PHP 4 million in a span of four years to help improve the lives of 2,300 families in Olango through the construction and refurbishment of classrooms, the promotion and practice of organic vermiculture and the greening of Olango Island. Last year’s event allowed for the reforestation of 5,200 trees on Olango Island and the refurbishing of two classrooms in Poo Elementary School, enabling use of technology at the Lapu-Lapu City Youth Affairs Office and building a third two-classroom building in Tungasan Elementary School.

For its fifth milestone, the Olango Challenge will open the 2K and 6K competitive and fun categories for interested individuals. Registration is pegged at PHP 600.00 for the 2K and competitive swim and PHP 2,250.0 for the fun swim. Discounts will be given to those who register on or before May 11, 2012.

Registration for Cebu entrants is located at the PBSP office in the fourth floor of PLDT, Juan Luna Avenue, Cebu City. For Manila entrants, they may visit the PASA office located at room 201, Building B, Philsports Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City.

Online registration is also available via email at pbspvro@pbsp.org.ph or pasainc@gmail.com. Visit the event’s blog site at www.olangochallenge.wordpress.com for downloadable forms and updated information.

PBSP enjoins swimmers to join 5th Olango Challenge

PBSP enjoins swimmers to join 5th Olango Challenge
Philippine Information Agency
May 9, 2012

QUEZON CITY, May 9 (PIA) -- The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) is inviting all swimmers and swimming enthusiasts to join the fifth staging of their annual fund raising event, the Olango Challenge on May 19 for the benefit of the Olango Island residents in Cebu.

In partnership with the Philippine Aquatic Sports Association (PASA), the open-water swim competition will be held at the Tambuli Beach Resort, Buyong, Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The challenge, which serves as an advocacy campaign, also emphasizes the importance of clean marine environment and raises awareness on the high incidence of drowning in the country.

According to PBSP, past proceeds of the competition went to construction and renovation of classrooms, promotion of organic vermiculture and reforestation of the island.

Interested participants may register until May 11 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the PBSP Visayas Regional Office at the 4F PLDT Building, Juan Luna Avenue, Mabolo, City.

They can also register online by emailing pbspvro@pbsp.org.ph or pasainc@gmail.com. Forms can also be downloaded from http://www.olangochallenge.wordpress.com.

PBSP is the largest corporate-led social development organization in the Philippines, harnessing solutions of companies against poverty such as responsible business practice, social investment and policy advocacy. (NFK/PIA-GHQ)

Echavez shifts focus

Echavez shifts focus
By Iste S. Leopoldo
Sun.Star Cebu
May 3, 2012


CEBU’s top tanker Loren Dale Echavez will try to defend her title in the 6K competitive division in the 5th Olango Challenge in Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City.

Her older sister, Cebu’s top triathlete Lohriz Echavez Lopez, who skipped all competitions due to her pregnancy, returns to action and will be joining 2K competitive division, which she won in 2010.

Her husband, Mendel, one of Cebu’s top runners who is gradually getting into triathlon, will also be making his debut in the open water swim in the 2K competitive male category.

Loren Dale said she finds this year’s competition tough considering that there will be more Philippine Aquatic Sports Association (PASA) members competing since it will be held right after the 2012 Palarong Pambansa.

“Excited and at the same time nervous with the presence of more top swimmers in this year’s edition,” said the 18-year-old Loren Dale, who won six gold medals in the in Private Schools Athletic Association national finals.

One of the toughest opponents who she is expecting to join is 2010 winner Erika Lukang, who beat Loren Dale in the Cebuan’s first attempt in open water competition.

Comeback swimmers
Loren Dale, who used to fear open water swimming, said she is now comfortable joining the event, which is organized by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and her experience in triathlon, which includes an open water swim, has boosted her confidence.

Other local bets who are also expected to join are Christine Indaya and Trina Caeda of the Cebu Marlin Swimming Club. Matthew Vega, another top swimmer who took a break from the sport, will also join the 6K competitive category, while Cebu’s Oceanman champion Jesse Arriola Jr. is also expected to join.

“Surprisingly, we have several of Cebu’s former top swimmers making a comeback in this year’s edition. We are expecting a new set of top finishers this year as we will be missing some of last year’s winners, like 6K second placer Paula Vega, who is already in the US,” PBSP’s Riva Valles said.

Registration for the 2K and 6K division is still ongoing at the PBSP office in Mabolo.