City dad thumbs down commendation for boy

Not everyone at the City Council supports what five-year-old Justin Daniel Junio did recently in a bid to set a new world record for being the youngest person ever to swim the three-kilometer wide Mactan Channel.

Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa quickly abstained from supporting a resolution commending Junio, saying such will only give pressure to the boy in setting a new record.

"Although I acknowledge his performance, but it would give pressure to the boy for him to break the existing record and this can be repeated in the future," Abellanosa said.

Councilor Arsenio Pacaña, who sponsored the resolution in yesterday's council session, commends the young Junio for "bringing pride and joy to the Filipino for his historic achievement."

Cebuanos witnessed the historic feat as the Junio swam a total of six kilometers starting from Muelle Osmeña in Lapu-Lapu City across the channel towards the Ouano Wharf in Mandaue City, and back again in one hour and 58 minutes.

The boy's father, retired Air Force colonel Florencio Junio, said the idea was hatched after he read about Braxton Bildredy, the seven-year-old boy from Arizona who swam across the 1.4-mile stretch from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco, California in May.

Pacaña, in his resolution, said "it is appropriate to extend this august body's commendation to the young Justin, who despite his tender age has exemplarily demonstrated discipline, hard work and proper training." - Garry B. Lao