Pinoy 'Aquaman' basks in another historic feat

CEBU, Philippines -  Lawyer Ingemar Macarine, popularly known as the 'Pinoy Aquaman', basked in another historic feat for making the first ever successful solo and unassisted swim across the Cebu Strait.

Macarine completed his ground-breaking swim from the lighthouse of  Barangay Cabacungan in Cabilao Island, Loon, Bohol to Barangay Bulasa in Argao, Cebu covering a total distance of 16.83 kilometers in five hours and 49 minutes.

"I intentionally did not broadcast this pioneering swim  because I was doubtful at first of  reaching Cebu as I'm still recovering from a severe asthma attack last month," said Macarine, an environmentalist. "As in my past endeavors, the swim was to promote clean seas and beaches and to celebrate the 118th Philippine Independence Day."

"The weather was okay in the first few kilometers. My swim became very challenging when thunderstorms kicked in. I  also had a hard time dealing with the current and encountered  thousands of stingy jellyfish, the most that i have encountered in all my swims," said Macarine. "I thank the Lord for giving me the strength to conquer Cebu Strait despite the bad weather."

Macarine said his swim was witnessed by navigator/pilot Edwin de la Cruz and boat operator Felix Mape and son Jay Mark. EBV (FREEMAN)