MANILA, Philippines - Hundreds of swimmers and participants from Lipa City under Gov. Vilma Santos have thrown their full support to the Aquatic Sports Association of the Philippines’ Unity Swim set Oct. 24 in celebration of United Nations Day.
The Lipa Mediatrix Swim Team, under coaches Emil and Grace Amago, has enlisted its swimmers for the non-stop marathon swim organized by ASAP to unite various sectors of Philippine society on the occasion of UN Day.
“Oct. 24 is very significant for this record-setting event as it will dramatize the importance of National Unity, which is the theme of UN Day,” said ASAP president Maria Luz Arzaga-Mendoza.
The organizing ASAP said swimmers, experienced or beginners, will each swim 50 meters in a 50-m swimming pool, and their aggregate time and distance will be recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the first in this category.
The swimathon will be the first to be recognized in the Guinness Book of Records.
The event is organized in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Manila-Remedios Circle under president Marc Dalin and incoming president Noel Isorena.
Susan Papa, the country’s most outstanding butterfly swimmer who won gold medals in the Asian Games in the 60s, acted as a double for Vilma Santos in 1970 in her film “Dyesebel .”
“The Unity Swim aims to put Philippine swimming into the limelight once again, to foster unity among those who love the sport and at the same time to raise funds for up-and-coming projects, competitions and training of swimmers from all walks of life,” said Papa.
“ASAP is inviting participants from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, different districts of the Rotary International, all students in elementary, high school and colleges, all local government units, non-government organizations, athletes, celebrities and government leaders to this nationwide swim for unity,” said Dalin.
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