Champs for Joy, DPS show wares in PSL meet today

Manila, Philippines -  The Philippine Swim League and Diliman Preparatory School are staging the Mayor Calixto- Congressman Rubiano Swimming Championship serving as the 27th leg of the PSL Swim Circuit today at the Pasay Swimming Center.

Over 600 boys and girls from the National Capital Region, Antipolo, Baguio, Bicol, Batangas, Cavite, Dagupan, Lingayen, Quezon, Lucena, Angeles, Pampanga and Visayas region including Samar, are seeing action in the one-day competition hosted by Nunilon Moreno of the Pasay Swimming Association.

The Champs for Joy of Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte will be represented by 20 swimmers, who reached competitive level after barely a year of training under coaches of the PSL.

“The Quezon City swimmers came from zero capability (as learn-to-swim beginners), and now the Champs for Joy program already has 20 swimmers after only three swimmers from the first competition,” said PSL president Susan Papa.

Papa said the DPS Swimming Center, which was established barely a year and a half ago by its CEO and former Senator Nikki Coseteng, has also grown from six swimmers a year ago to 18.

The Champs for Joy and DPS swimmers are both coached by PSL mentors Edgar Galeno and assistants Joey Andaya and Cristin Sudario.

Vice Mayor Belmonte, who will name the QC participants in the Singapore competition this August, said she is happy with the outcome of the Champs for Joy program.

The Quezon City swimmers took Learn-to-Swim lessons under the initiative of Vice Mayor Belmonte, who decided to continue the program last summer.

Trophies will be awarded to the most outstanding swimmers in the six, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-17 and 18 and over. Gold, silver and bronze medals will be presented to the top three finishers.