‘Pinoy Aquaman’ swims across Sarangani Bay to open Sarbay Festival

SARANGANI, Philippines – Lawyer Ingemar Macarine, known as the Pinoy Aquaman, swam across the Sarangani Bay on Sunday as part of the formal opening of the Sarbay Festival.

Macarine spent 15 hours and 55 minutes to swim the 12.5-kilometer distance between Barangay (village) Kamanga in Maasim town and Barangay Tango in the town of Glan.

Macarine, who hails from Surigao, is currently the election officer of Tubigon, Bohol.

Gov. Steve Chiongbian-Solon said Macarine’s participation in the Sarbay Festival was also aimed at raising awareness of the need to protect the province’s rich fishing ground.

Macarine had done similar feats in the past, Solon said.

He said the lawyer was acknowledged as the first Filipino to swim from Alcatraz Island Penitentiary to San Francisco City. He took the 2.7-kilometer stretch in an hour in April 2014.

Macarine also became the first man to swim from Santa Fe in Bantayan Island to San Remigio in mainland Cebu, covering the distance of 19.99 km. He spent seven hours and 45 minutes to reach mainland Cebu.

Macarine follows the Marathon Swimming Federation Rules and performs his solo swimming without floating aid or help from any human or sea vessel. SFM/AC