12-year-old Antique girl hailed for 6-hour swim to seek help

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A 12-year-old girl from Batbatan Island in Culasi, Antique is being recommended for recognition after swimming for about six hours to seek help when their boat capsized in rough seas.

Cherry Ann Mateo was with Angelita Patricio, 58, Rose Salvador, 49, and Dante Salvador, 60, when their boat overturned on the morning of May 6 while they were returning to Batbatan Island from Poblacion, Culasi.

Strong winds and big waves reportedly caused the boat to capsize.

Instead of waiting helplessly, Mateo swam toward the shore of Batbatan to call for help.

Her bravery led rescuers and fishermen to the three other passengers, who were later rescued.

Patricio and Rose Salvador were found clinging to the overturned boat, which had drifted toward the municipal waters of Libertad, while Dante Salvador was rescued near Maningning Island.

Mel Legaspi, chief of operations of the Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said they are proposing that the provincial government recognize Mateo’s heroic act.

Legaspi said even trained rescuers would find it difficult to survive such a long swim under harsh sea conditions.

“𝘉𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘥𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘯,” he said. (Even a rescuer would find it difficult)

Mateo, whose father is a fisherman and mother is a housewife, reportedly grew up near the sea and learned how to swim at an early age.

The PDRRMO is also planning to invite her to its Rescuelympics event so she can inspire rescuers and young people.

Officials said Mateo may also be supported in training as a future athlete or rescuer.