To visit departed loved ones: Man attempts to swim Cebu-Bohol stretch

CEBU, Philippines —  For a 48-year-old farmer-turned-scavenger, who wanted to visit his departed parents and siblings in Bohol but who only has P80 in his pocket, the only way to meet them was to swim the 40-nautical-mile stretch between Cebu and Bohol just to reach home.

However, not even halfway to his destination, Ceferino Angco, single and native of Calatrava, Carmen, Bohol, felt cramps on his right leg and arms.

Luckily, he found a Styrofoam that can stay him afloat until he was rescued.

“Nakahuna-huna gyud ko nga maghikog nalang kay wala nama’y nagpakabana nako pero kay ganahan paman ko nga makapanagkot, nisuway lang ko og langoy, bahala na,” Angco added.

Angco has 11 siblings, five of them reportedly already passed away.

He earlier thought of persuading the shipping company staff to let him in, despite the absence of a ticket, but he was afraid that he might just be scolded.

So, Angco decided to start swimming around 11 p.m. last Saturday and was rescued on the following day at around 8 a.m.

A local fisherman saw Angco floating and asked him where he is heading to, in which Angco replied that he is going to Bohol.

The local fishermen reported their encounter with Angco which prompted the Fisheries Sea Ecological Care (FISECA) of Talisay City to respond and rescue him.

Angco was brought to the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) and underwent medical examination.

He was also asked to undergo a drug test. The result turned negative.

Angco said that he was tired of his life being a scavenger and slept along the sidewalk of Colon Street, Cebu City.

He decided to go home but due to financial constraints, he could not get a boat ride.

He wanted to go home for good to his hometown and to visit the grave of his departed loved ones.

Angco arrived in Cebu in 2006 and lived together with his relatives in Lapu-Lapu City. After years of living in Lapu-Lapu City, he went back to Bohol.

In 2011, he transferred to his cousin in Labangon, Cebu City. However, due to a misunderstanding, Angco left the house of his cousin and lived by himself.

“Mukaon nalang gyud ko og mga sobra-sobra nga ipanghatag sa mga tawo ilabi na nga wala koy kwarta,” Angco told The FREEMAN.

Talisay City Councilor Antonio “Jojo” Bacaltos Jr., chairman of council committee on Environment, said that they treated Angco, who was already weak when he was rescued.

“Tarung man gyud kaayo siya nga estoryahon, mao na nga nakaingon ko nga tinud-anay gyud to ang iyang problema,” Bacaltos narrated.

Angco admitted that his parents rely on farming as their means of living.

He also knows how to farm.  Bacaltos happened to have an agricultural program in the City of Talisay and gave Angco seedlings for him to plant.

Aside from seedlings, Bacaltos also handed cash to Angco and help him get a ticket to Bohol.

“Amo lang gyud nga gihatod sa barko ug gitagaan og suwat ang iyang adtoan aron dili na maglisod-lisod si Angco,” Bacaltos added.

At around 1:20 p.m. yesterday, Bacaltos left Angco inside the ship.

He added that netizens who read the page of The FREEMAN and Banat News also handed assistance to Angco as he went home. (FREEMAN)