Lawyer Ingemar Macarine, known as “Pinoy Aquaman,” swims in the waters off Pamilacan Island, which is part of Baclayon town, Bohol province, to promote clean seas. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
TAGBILARAN CITY — Environmental lawyer and endurance swimmer Ingemar Macarine successfully completed his swim in Roxas City, Capiz on Sunday, March 17.
Macarine finished the 10.8-kilomete non-stop and unassisted swim in three hours and 15 minutes.
“The swim is to promote clean seas and beaches, Roxas City tourism, and healthy lifestyle,” he said.
Macarine set the record as the first person to swim from Olotayan Island, Barangay Olotayan to the People’s Park, Barangay Baybay in Roxas City.
READ: Pinoy Aquaman to conquer Capiz open sea on Sunday
The swim was sponsored by Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas.
“This swim was by far my fastest marathon swim,” Macarine said.
“The current, tides, and wind were all in perfect condition. So I took advantage of it by swimming faster, thinking the current might change any time just like what happened during my Masbate swim last year. I am very much prepared for this swim,” he added.
Macarine had back-to-back training for the past few months: a 30-minute run and floor exercises in the morning and a 2-hour swim in the evening.
Roxas city, the provincial capital, is a rice-trading city and commercial center at the mouth of the 80-km Panay river. It has a population of at least 200,000 people.
Roxas, also formerly called Capiz, has been renamed after native son Manuel Roxas, who was president from 1946 to 1948.
Macarine earned the nickname “Pinoy Aquaman” for his pioneering exploits in introducing the sport of open water swimming in the country.
Bidding to become the first Filipino to swim across the English Channel, the “Mt. Everest” in open swimming, he tried to swim in 2017. However, the inclement weather aborted his swim.