Philippine Aquatics eyes bigger events after Boracay meet

BORACAY — Philippine Aquatics Inc. is looking to host larger international open water swimming competitions after completing the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships in Boracay, citing positive feedback from participants and a World Aquatics evaluator.

The successful three-day event could strengthen the Philippines’ bid to use international sports competitions to promote tourism, generate economic activity in host destinations, and give Filipino athletes more opportunities to compete against higher-level opposition on home soil.

“We are grateful that we staged this international open water swimming showcase smoothly. It has opened up chances in hosting similar but bigger events in the future,” Philippine Aquatics Inc. Secretary General Eric Buhain said after being hands-on in staging the meet from start to finish.

“The opportunities are there now that we have laid the foundation in organizing and hosting bigger international events because of the lessons learned and experiences we’ve had here,” Buhain said.

The championships were held from Aug. 21–23, 2026, at Boracay Newcoast in Malay, Aklan, according to Philippine Aquatics.

Two Filipino swimmers reached the podium on the final day, with Jie Angela Mikaela Talosig taking bronze in the women’s 20-year-old-and-above division and Julia Jewels Pobleto also winning bronze in the girls’ 12–13-year-old 3-kilometer event.

Buhain said organizers received positive feedback from participants in the three-day competition, including World Aquatics evaluator Damian Van de Berg of Australia.

“For this event to be approved by World Aquatics, it must have a WA evaluator for referees, so basically that is why I am here,” Van de Berg said. “And I could see overall the joy and pride of those who are involved in the hosting.

“It has been an honor and privilege to witness that.”

Asked whether bigger international open water competitions could be held in the Philippines, Van de Berg said the country already has the basic elements needed to move toward larger events.

“Absolutely. The infrastructure needs to be on a bigger scale but all the core parts are there.”

“From what I have seen, there is a basis for the future of staging Asian open water championships and World Cups. They come with significant costs for the hosts and your government, but all you need to do is to scale up,” said Van de Berg, a veteran international open water swimming referee who has worked at four world championships.

“As I told (PAI secretary general) Eric, your local organizing committee should be congratulated for what has been a first-rate hosting. It was done pretty well. Sky is the limit for the Philippines in hosting future bigger open water meets,” he said.

The assessment supports Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio’s push to develop sports tourism by combining international competitions with the promotion of Philippine destinations.

“Indeed, this competition serves as a test run, a dress rehearsal for hosting bigger international open water in the future not only in Boracay but in our other attractive beach destinations,” Gregorio said.

“This is now our strategic, two-pronged approach in promoting and developing sports and tourism: providing platforms for our athletes to play against the best from overseas while generating income for our country in showcasing our tourist attractions,” he added.

The Boracay competition drew regional participation as the Philippines sought to showcase the island as an open water swimming destination.

Before the meet, organizers said 113 swimmers from eight of Southeast Asia’s 11 countries were expected to compete, highlighting regional interest in the championship.

Talosig entered the competition seeking international experience and with modest expectations but finished with a bronze medal at the close of the championships off Boracay Newcoast in Aklan.

The 20-year-old De La Salle University varsity swimmer made her international debut by finishing third in the women’s 20-years-and-above division in one hour, 18 minutes, and 57 seconds.

“Honestly, I just wanted to experience competing at the international level so to win a bronze medal for my efforts and in front of a hometown crowd at that is a pleasant surprise,” Talosig said.

“This is truly a nice feeling,” said Talosig, who previously won gold in the women’s 800-meter freestyle and two bronze medals in University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.

Indonesia’s Nadya Sirasawati won the division in 1:07.23, while Thailand’s Musikul Hirunhas finished second in 1:09.15.

Pobleto also secured bronze in the girls’ 12–13 3-kilometer competition with a time of 50:40.

Thailand’s Kanchana Konsub won in 47:16, while compatriot Aliyah Sawangmun finished second in 49.48.

“This hosting was just a dress rehearsal for more international open water events,” Gregorio said.

“What is important is that we not only provide a vehicle in promoting sports tourism but also expose our local athletes by competing with the best athletes from overseas as we have the hometown support to inspire them to do their best,” he added.

Philippine Aquatics thanked the PSC and all participants for helping stage the three-day tournament successfully.

“With the gloomy weather before the meet, we feel relieved that the elements cooperated and that we had three straight days of ideal sunny weather for our competition. We could not have asked for more,” Buhain said.

“Our hats off to PSC Chairman Pato for fully supporting to stage the championships, opening opportunities for even bigger open water international swimming meets in the future.”

The Boracay meet was sanctioned by the Southeast Asian Swimming Federation and staged at Boracay Newcoast, where organizers had deployed lifeguards, life rafts, medical personnel, and other safety resources for the open water competition.