MANILA, Philippines - United States-trained Gian Berino, who rose to prominence as a multiple gold medalist of the Palarong Pambansa two years ago, broke the old mark in the 400m freestyle in a grand display of power in the 30th leg of the Philippine Swim League Circuit yesterday at the Rizal Memorial swimming pool.
Berino, who trained in the US for a year, established a new mark with a time of four minutes, 16.5 seconds in the 400m freestyle on top of winning a gold medal in the 50m backstroke in 29.4 seconds.
Berino also won the freestyle skin, outswimming seven others to pocket the top prize of P4,000. Paula Cayanan ruled the women’s side and earned the same amount.
The record breakers were MC Tracy Alindogan, Mary Angelic Saavedra, Joey Lavina, Charize Juliana Esmero, Emmanuel Lorbes, Andre Resol, Nathan Chengralyn Arcadio, Jacklyn Orig, Samuel Gregory Ongjoco, Michael Romiro Godoy, Robin Seranillo, Maria Siso, Rzzal Dolalas, Bhay Newberry and Mark Bryan Dula.
In the side event, the battle of the regional bands was won by the Tenement Elementary School marching band of Munilon Moreno.
Former Sen. Nikki Coseteng, president of the Diliman Preparatory School and sponsor of the regional competition, handed the medals to the winners from a field of over 300 swimmers from the Bicol Region, Baguio, Angeles, Lucena, Mindoro, Olongapo, Quezon Province, Pampanga and National Capital Region.