Photos of Classrooms in Olango

We are pleased to announce that the money raised for the 2nd Olango Challenge have been used to build classrooms in Candagsao on Olango Island. Thank you for what you have provided! With your continued support, we shall create more opportunities for the people who live on this island.

A Beautiful Day for a Swim

Last Saturday, April 18, the tropical waters of Cebu became the venue of the 2nd marathon swim in the Philippines. Swimmers from all over the Philippines and a number coming from different parts of the world participated in the 2nd Olango Challenge.

We would like to thank the swimmers, their family and friends, people who pledged, spectators, sponsors, volunteers, resort owners, managers & staff, lifeguards, kayakers and staffers for making this event a successful one! Your support and moreover, your generosity and contribution has made a difference to the community on Olango Island. Thank you!

The ceremonial dive with last year’s winners Nikita Dacera (L) and Paula Vega (R)

The 2nd Olango Challenge Organizing Committe Co-Presidents Mark Joseph (L) and Tonio Aboitiz (R) smile to the camera before the start of the race of the Fun Category

And off they go!

(L-R) Leo Hilado of PBSP, Nikita Dacera – 1st men’s competitive catgegory, Kiefer Ticao – 2nd, Emanuelle Plasabas-3rd and Ria Redulla of Islands Group. The top 3 are from Philippine Center for Excellence for Aquatic Sports.

Paula Vega CBM-UC 1st women’s competitive category

Results of the 2nd Olango Challenge

Women’s Competitive Category

Rank	Name	Time
1	Vega, Paula Abigail M.	1:56:21.38
2	Tiambeng, Karen Angela R.	2:33.06.56
3	Casidsid, Loveleinell F.	2:52:12.63
4	Capacio, Kaitlin Danielle D.	3:15:50.02

Men’s Competitive Category

Rank	Name	Time
1	Dacera, Nikita D.	1:11:02.10
2	Ticao, Kiefer E.	1:15:26.97
3	Plasabas, Emanuelle C.	1:27:00.00
4	Vega, Michael David M.	1:29.32.55
*5	Uytengsu, Wilfred Steven	1:32:20.67
*5	Concepcion, Guy S.	1:32:20.67
7	Jopson, Noy A	1:34:22.91
8	Rafols, Loi	1:37.49.21
9	Welsh, Anthony	1:56:21.32
10	Florentino, Aaron Asuela	2:05:22.16
11	Fariolen, Jenido Alojacin	2:17:51.00
12	Jacobsen, Bernhard	2:26:46.09
13	Taduchi, Yoshimitsu	2:36:56.12
*14	Pahanonot, Frederick	2:47:16.78
*14	Sator, Cris Cyril T.	2:47:16.78
16	Dela Cruz, Rex	3:01:59.80
17	Baronda, Roger T.	3:48:37.81

Fun Category

Rank	Name	Time
1	Rennie, Dale	2:21:21.95
2	Ramirez, Rebmeson M.	2:38:35.43
3	Kiener, Paul	2:39:56.33
4	Sy, Joanes Paulus M.	2:40:51.01
5	Kiener, Ira	2:41:59.48
6	Minoza, Adolfo M.	2:46:15.40
7	Almario, Sol	2:47:42.85
8	Sanchez, Alain	2:48:03:17
9	Aboitiz, Jose Antonio Y.	2:50:42.85
10	Kiener, John	2:55:57.40
11	Aboitiz, Jim	3:09.54.25
12	Joseph, Mark P.	3:12:39.97
13	Gonzaga, Edvard Ian	3:13:56.58
14	Aton, Venancio M.	3:17:47.84
15	Omamalin, Allan	3:31:54.80

Important Information for Swimmers

As you may very well know, the event is just less than 2 days away and we’d like to share with you some information that may prove helpful for you on the day of the swim.

1. Please be at the Pacific Cebu Resort, Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island by 10am for the registration. Lunch will be served at 1030am. Shortly thereafter, the orientation will be held also in the same resort. Failing to attend the orientation will result in the forfeiture of your entry in the 2nd Olango Challenge.

2. The finish line of the event will be at Tambuli East. You can bring one supporter in for free. We request that the names be given by 17 April 2009, Friday, 12 noon. If you have more than 1 supporter that plan to cheer you on at the finish line in Tambuli Beach Club, please do inform them that there is a PhP 350.00 entrance fee, where some facilities of the resort can be used (i.e. use the pool) and PhP 300.00 is consumable at the food fair inside the resort. There is also a PhP 350.00 entrance fee at the starting line in Pacific Cebu Resort for non-swimmers wanting to support the event from the starting line. All swimmers have free entrance to the resorts where the event is being held. Names must be given to Ms. Riva Valles The PBSP staffer-in-charge of the OIDP at (032) 232-5270 or via email at rgvalles [at] pbsp.org.ph. The free pass cannot be transferred to another person once a name has been submitted.

3. For those who do not have vehicles, there are buses to ferry participants to and from the venue of the event day itself. Pick-up points will be at the PBSP office along Juan Luna St., Mabolo, Cebu City and at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall. Time of departure is at 9am. Please be there on time.

4. Many interested people are getting others to pledge per kilometer payments in support of their friends. Please do ask your friends for pledges.

5. Safety is of paramount concern. The Philippine Life Saving Society will be on hand closely monitoring all the swimmers. Kayakers and paddle bancas will stay close to the swimmers.

6. Anyone who has been in the water for longer than 3 hours will be extracted. This time limit can be changed upon the discretion of the race director, Mr. Richard Luna.

7. Please do get enough sleep the day before. It’s a 6km swim and you’ll be needing the energy to complete it.

Lastly, we request you to bring your drive and enthusiasm during the swim. See you on April 18!

Schedule for 18 April 2009

Please find the schedule of the marathon swimming event below:

2nd OLANGO CHALLENGE
April 18, 2009

9:00	Swimmers picked up by bus at pick-up points (PLDT Mabolo, Lapu-lapu City Hall)
9:00 to 10:00	Travel from pick-up point to PCR
9:15	Arrival of boatmen (assembly)	Pacific Cebu Resort
9:30	Orientation of Boatmen by Larry Alag and Richard Luna	Pacific Cebu Resort
10:00 to 10:30	Distribution of race packs and numbering	Pacific Cebu Resort
10:30 to 11:00	Welcome Lunch	Pacific Cebu Resort
11:00	Boats head out	Pacific Cebu Resort
11:00 to 11:30	Orientation of swimmers and kayakers	Pacific Cebu Resort
11:30 to 12:30	Continuation of distribution of race packs and numbering	Pacific Cebu Resort
12:00 to 12:30	Final inspection of race course by Larry and Richard	Pacific Cebu Resort
12:30 to 1:15	Deposit bags to property custodian	Pacific Cebu Resort
1:00	1st Wave: Female Competitive Category	Pacific Cebu Resort
1:10	2nd Wave: Male Competitive Category	Pacific Cebu Resort
1:20	3rd Wave: Fun Category	Pacific Cebu Resort
1:00 to 5:30	Announcement of sponsors	Tambuli
1:00 to 2:30	Live entertainment: 1st set of 12 songs	Tambuli
2:30	Estimated arrival of first swimmer & awarding of finisher’s shirts and certificates	Tambuli
4:00	Estimated arrival of last swimmer	Tambuli
4:00 to 4:30	Live entertainment: 2nd set of 6 songs	Tambuli
4:30 to 5:00	Awarding of winners	Tambuli
5:00 to 6:30	Live entertainment: last set of 14 songs	Tambuli
6:30	Departure of bus for Cebu City	Tambuli

2 Days to Go!

A Reminder for Your Family and Friends

Race day is a few days away and as swimmers to the event, we would like to inform you that you can get one supporter in Tambuli Beach Club for free*. If you have more than 1 supporter that plan to cheer you on at the finish line in Tambuli Beach Club, please do inform them that there is a PhP 350.00 entrance fee, where some facilities of the resort can be used (i.e. use the pool) and PhP 300.00 is consumable** at the food fair inside the resort.

There is also a PhP 350.00 entrance fee at the starting line in Pacific Cebu Resort for non-swimmers wanting to support the event from the starting line.

All swimmers have free entrance to this event.

See you there!

* Names of the supporters must be in by 17 April 2009, Friday, 12 noon in order to have a free pass in Tambuli Beach Club. Names must be given to Ms. Riva Valles The PBSP staffer-in-charge of the OIDP at (032) 232-5270 or via email at rgvalles [at]  pbsp.org.ph. The free pass cannot be transferred to another person once a name has been submitted.

** A consumable amount of PhP 100.00 will be given to the supporter who gets in for free.

New Photos Added!

Additional photos from last year’s Olango Challenge has been added to Flickr. You can check out the rest here.

Current and Swimmer Velocity Calculation

For 18-Apr-09 for the Gilotongan Channel
Maximum Velocity (flood): 0.18 m/sec
Angle: 0 deg
Bearing: 40 deg
Using Cebu Harbor Tidal Station as proxy .74 km southwest of San Pedro Lighthouse
Information Source: NAMRIA
Distance: 6.4 km

Time of Day	Velocity (m/sec)	Current Velocity (kph)	Swimmer Velocity (kph)	Assumed Swimmer Assist Speed (kph)
13:00	0.162	0.045	2	2.045
13:30	0.144	0.04	2	2.04
14:00	0.108	0.03	2	2.03
14:30	0.09	0.025	2	2.025
15:00	0.054	0.015	2	2.015
15:30	0.036	0.01	2	2.01
16:00	0.018	0.005	2	2.005
16:30	-0.018	-0.005	2	1.995
17:00	-0.054	-0.015	2	1.985
17:30	-0.072	-0.02	2	1.98
18:00	-0.09	-0.025	2	1.975

Slack Water Time	Maximum Currents
Time	Time	Velocity	Velocity
hh:mm	hh:mm	m/sec	kph
1:53	5:05	-0.07	-1.368
7:53	11:32	0.18	1.98
16:08	20:16	-0.13	-1.872

This rough calculation assumes an average swimming speed of 2 kph.

The tide in flood brings a northerly current to the Gilotongan Channel, the tide in ebb brings a southerly current. Because of the gentle rise in the tide during the swim, swimmers can expect a slight boost at their backs, though wind-driven surface currents may offset this advantage or even reverse it.

The Tambuli endpoint is roughly at a general bearing of 40 degrees, following the contour of the reef drop-off. Consequently the swimmer will always have full view of the seabed below and the coast nearby.

There is no tidal station to provide data on the Gilotongan Channel, however, we can use the nearby Cebu tidal station at the mouth of the Mactan Channel as a close proxy. Nevertheless, bear in mind that Cebu tidal station may have different velocities from the true velocity in the Gilotongan Channel.

Deadline for Registration Extended!

Good news! Registration to the 2nd Olango Challenge has been extended to the 8th of April! Register on or before the new deadline and get a chance to win day passes to resorts in Mactan! You can download the registration form here.