ASAP swimmer shines in Milo Little Olympics

MANILA, Philippines - Palarong Pambansa champion and Singapore interclub most outstanding swimmer Loren Dale Echavez of Cebu captured four gold medals – in 50m and 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley – to emerge most outstanding girl swimmer in the just-concluded Milo Little Olympics. 

“I am inspired by the ASAP leadership because I am being recognized each time I win. It motivates me, I am alive and kicking again,” said Echavez, who received a Sentosa tour as an incentive by ASAP secretary general Susan Papa for her golden performance in Singapore recently.     

Augusto “Tatang” Bonilla, ASAP regional director of Region 7 and coach of Echavez, said Echavez’s win and ASAP’s support to the local swimmers will put swimming back into the limelight.

“Here in Cebu, swimming is in limelight again. We thank God and ASAP. We are back to hard training,” he said.

“Our president Atty. Ma. Luz Mendoza, is doing a good job putting ASAP in order and Wilfred Arzaga, a coach from Canada, continues giving out pointers on how to improve our swimmers,” said Papa.

Cebu, in cooperation with ASAP, is holding its biggest competition on Dec 19. As in all previous ASAP-organized competitions, Papa said no registration or entry fee will be charged, in line with ASAP’s effort to develop the sport on the grassroots level.

 Everybody is invited to participate, she said.