BOTOLAN, Zambales (August 25, 2026) — Two student-athletes from this town swam to podium finishes in the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships held August 21 to 23 in Boracay Aklan.

Lucas Alexander Skog, a student at the Carael Integrated School here, won Silver Medal and grabbed the Second Place under the Male 12-13 Years Old Category in the 3-kilometer Open Water Swimming competition.

Meanwhile, Precious Chans H. Rantael, from the Botolan South Elementary School, earned a Bronze Medal and placed third under the Female 12-13 Years Old Category for the same three-kilometer event.

Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane congratulated the two local swimmers, saying the athletes brought honor and glory to their respective schools, the Botolan community, as well as the country.

“This is no ordinary feat for Botoleños because they competed against the best from other countries,” Ebdane pointed out. “This is a huge victory for Botolan,” he added.

The 4^th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships held at Newcoast Boracay was organized by the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) in cooperation with Southeast Asia Aquatics and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

It drew competitors across multiple distances, including 10KM events and 6-kilometer mixed relays, from 11 nations: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. – Taktikom News & Features