6th Olango Challenge set May 11 at Crimson

CEBU, Philippines - The organizers of the Olango Challenge hope to build more classrooms for the poor children of Olango Island through the sixth edition of the country’s premiere open water swimming competition set on May 11 at a new venue in Crimson Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

Education is one of the priority programs of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) that is why it fully supports the Bayanihang Pampaaralan (BP) campaign, a private sector-led initiative under the 57-75 consortium. BP aims to build 10,000 new classrooms to reduce the 66,800-classroom backlog in the country.

So far, a total of four classrooms have been built out of the Olango Challenge, while two others are currently under construction.

However, more classrooms are still needed to make the different schools in the said island more conducive to learning.

With a new venue, the organizers are expecting more participants, sponsors and individuals to pledge funds for their noble cause.

This year’s event will feature two race distances, the 2km and 6km swim with two classes each for the competitive and fun swimmers.

Entry fee is pegged at P700 for the competitive side and P2,500 for the fun swimmers inclusive of a finisher's certificate and souvenir items.

All filled-up application forms must be submitted in hard copy or via email on May 7, while registration fees must be received at 12 noon on May 10. The organizers will no longer allow applications and payments beyond these dates.

Swimmers may deposit their registration payments and pledges raised to PBSP’s account at the Union Bank of the Philippines (Cebu Business Park branch) under the account name:Philippine Business for Social Progress and account number: 000260034010.

Although it's a fund-raiser, the organizers will still be awarding cash prizes to the top performers of both the competitive and fun-swim division.

For more inquiries, one can contact Rey Oliver Perez via [email protected] or call him at 0932-137-786. Manila-based participants may also contact the Philippine Aquatic Sports Association through Lex Reyes at (02)687-7403 o e-mail [email protected] and [email protected].  (FREEMAN)