Public school boy wonder shines in PSL swim leg

MANILA, Philippines - A 13-year-old public school student, who won a science award for a system that produces fertilizers from worms that feed on recycled waste, splashed to fame in his first appearance in the Mayor Nilo Leyble Cup, 21st leg of the Philippine Swimming League, yesterday at the Bosay Resort in Antipolo.

Nathan Cheng became the leg’s most outstanding swimmer with wins in the 400m freestyle and 50m butterfly, freestyle and backstroke.

The all-round swimmer was an award winner in the first Cordillera regional science festival in the investigatory project category for his Vermichow bin recycling system.

“Naturuan ko po ang worm kumain ng recycled foods such as vegetable sa loob ng bin. The worm excretes the fertilizer which is depoisted outside through the hole. Ako po ang nag-design,” said Cheng.

“The whole neighborhood of Hillside Barangay of Baguio delivers all their disposable food waste (compost) to our house,” says Cheng. “Other barangays and neigborhood helpers also support the project.”

Most outstanding boys swimmers were brothers Inaki Lorbes (10 years) and Emanuel Joshua (14) from the Susan Papa Swim Academy, Charles Dylan Chia from Blue Python Swim Academy (6), Vaughn Aquino (7), Charles Ticbaen (8) and Raymond Sevilla (15) from R3 Swim Team and Russel Serranillo (9) from Bosay Aquatic Club, McTracy Alindogan of AUF Great Danes (11), Paolo Garcia of Seagulls Swim Team (12), Samuel Gregory Onjoco of SSC (16) and Jeron Mercader from the Baguio Penguins (17 and over). Onjoco also won in the freestyle skin knockout event, a competition where swimmers start at the same time, with the slowest eliminated after each lap until only the fastest swimmer remains.

Fourteen-year-old Pricila Aquino of the UP Integrated School was the most bemedalled girl who also topped the freestyle knockout.

The outstanding age group girls swimmers were Julia Loo (6-under), Richaila Rivera (7), Crystal May Rivera (8), Charisse Juliana Esmero (9), Kara Colaste (10), Portia Kate Doragos of Diliman Preparatory School (11), Carmenrose Matabuena (12), Julianne Torres (13), Riel Beatriz Bucao (15), Risha Spanhila (16), and Ara Abacahin of Susan Papa Academy (17).

Antipolo Mayor Nilo Leyble welcomed the guests and gave the opening remark.