Future Perfect: Dreams of number one last forever

MANILA, Philippines - The Olympics opening ceremony in London officially commenced today and it’s a proud day for Bulacan-born swimmer Jessie Lacuna. Part of Team Philippines, Jessie is one of the few representatives who hail from our homeland. 18-year-old Jessie Lacuna says he’s ready for whatever the men’s 200-meter freestyle competing teams have to dish out. London 2012 is Jessie’s first time to compete in an Olympic arena, so if you’ve never really heard of him, now is probably the best time to get to know him. He is representing our country, after all.

Water boy: Jessie Lacuna is the youngest swimmer in Team Philippines for the London 2012 Olympics.

Here are 12 quick questions to jumpstart your knowledge on our youngest swimming representative. We got the lowdown on Lacuna’s origins, his non-Olympic pastimes and his training regiment, in a Young Star exclusive.

YOUNG STAR: How did you get your start in swimming?

JESSIE LACUNA: I started swimming since birth or like mga three months. Kasi before, our home was inside a resort so ayun. My parents said that I crawl na lang from the house to the pool. Also (I started swimming) because my two older brothers were swimmers, but I started swimming competitively mga six years old.

Is this something you want to do long term?

I still don’t know yet. Swimming makes me happy so I’ll keep swimming for now.

What do you do aside from swimming?

Me, I love listening to music and I love to dance. Sometimes I like creating random video clips.

Do you still go to school?

Just graduated from high school. I had to stop for a while to focus on the Olympic games.

Talk me through your daily training routine.

Two training sessions a day. Morning, 6 to 8:30 a.m. and afternoon, 3 to 5:30 p.m.

How often do you train?

I train almost every day, twice a day, 10-11 times a week. Sunday is a rest day.

What’s the most difficult or challenging workout you’ve ever done and would you do it again?

Um… maybe the 40x400 for five minutes, non-stop! (Laughs) Of course ayaw ko na gawin ulit! Hirap nun. (I don’t want to do it again. It’s tough.)

Athletes usually have a strict diet. What do you have to avoid eating?

Nothing naman. Just don’t eat too much and control myself. (Laughs)

Do you have to maintain a certain calorie number every day?

Wala naman. Basta wag sobra. (Nothing, as long as it’s not too much.)

What other international competitions have you competed in?

SEA Age Group, SEA Games, SEA Federation, Asian Youth Games, Asian Games, Youth Olympic Games and FINA World Championship.

Have you ever been to London? What are you looking forward to most in your London trip aside from the Olympics?

Not yet! This is my first time in Europe. Aside from Olympics, of course I’m excited to see museums, bridges, the big Ferris wheel (the London Eye) and Big Ben.

How does it feel to be representing the RP team in the Olympics?

Of course when I first heard that I would join the Olympics, I was shocked! I couldn’t believe it. Then after a while, nag-sink in na siya so ayun (it sunk in, so there). I’m happy, excited, honored and, of course, pressured din.