Apr 2007 Shark Attack vol 1, issue 2

For inquiries contact: Danny Egot, Head Coach 09102586558 or email us at ppc_hammerheadshark@yahoo.com

5th SEA Games Age Group Inter-club Age-Group Swimming Championship

Gerrol Castillo makes wave in international meet bags 2 bronze in individual, a gold and a silver in relay Hammerhead Sharks’s first Gerrol also collected another ished ahead of Team Singapore and Team De Lasalle. Team Singapore plunge in international meet net- bronze in 100 m butterfly, finted promising results. ishing behind Jia Chen Yeo and then took revenge by grabbing the gold in 4 x 100 m freestyle, while Jed Lee Wee Jin of Singapore, Gerrol Castillo, who comGerrol’s team took home the silver who bagged the gold and silver peted under 13-14 age-group for ahead of Team De Lasalle . respectively.

Team Pilipinas-Trace, garnered four (4) medals in the just conGerrol’s clocking has enabled him Gerrol then teamed up with cluded 5th South East Asia to earn a slot in the SEA Games Banjo Borja (Laguna), Kevin (SEA) Games Inter-Club AgeMercado (Cavite), and Wilfredo Age-group scheduled in Singapore Group Swimming Championship Sunglao, Jr. (Naga) to bring on September this year. held in Trace Aquatic Complex home the gold in 4 x 100 m Coach Dan Egot believes that in Los Baños, Laguna. medley relay. The quartet finGerrol’s modest achievement in the Gerrol pulled down his international meet will personal best of 4:44.23 usher brighter hope not in 400 m freestyle to only for Hammerhead snatch a bronze, finishing Shark team members with a personal best but also for Puerto 4:38.54. Gerrol initially Princesa swimmers. appeared to spring a stunSays Coach Dan, ning upset until Singa“Already, I can see that pore’s Kevin Lim Wei Gerrol’s accomplishment Xun and Davao’s Joaquin has buoyed the confidence of Gonzales overtook him his teammates. It has given in the homestretch. Lim them a sense of perspective of and Gonzales eventually The euphoric Team Philippines-Trace. From left: Banjo Borja, Kevin what they could achieve if Mercado, Hammerhead Shark Gerrol Castillo, and Wilfredo Suntook the gold and the they practice as hard as he glao, Jr., . silver. does.”

Siobe “the Shark” and Hammerhead Shark set world record Hammerhead Shark’s very own Anna Karenina Dalabajan recently gained national prominence when she, together with the team conquered Puerto Princesa Bay. Here is a reprint of the article which came out in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on March 5, 2007.

Visit us at our website http://www.geocities.com/ ppc_hammerheadshark

The official newsletter of the Puerto Princesa City Hammerhead Shark Swimming Team

Volume 1, issue 2 31 April 2007

PPHST is an affiliate of the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association, Inc. (PASA)

The Puerto Princesa Hammerhead Shark Swimming Team extends its profound gratitude to MAYOR EDWARD HAGEDORN, CONG. BAHAM MITRA, KGD. ROGER CASTRO, KGD. FELIBOY OLIVEROS, MR. NOEL MATTA, and BOARD MEMBERS RAFFY LIGGAYU, EVELYN RODRIGUEZ, ALICE FABELLON, and ERNESTO LLACUNA for their generous support which made the team’s participation to the 2007 National Youth Team Selection Trials (NY-TEST) possible.

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — not have enough time to practice had fun during the swim--sometimes As she had vowed to do so, Ana and train. playing with her swim mates and Karenina “Siobe” Dalabajan, 7, waving to escorts on a boat.

The swim was originally to swam eight kilometers across the have been for a five(continued to page 2) Puerto Princesa Bay here on Sun- kilometer distance, to start day as part of the city’s 135th from Barangay Sta. Lucia founding anniversary dubbed the to the Baywalk; but it was Balayong Festival. moved to adjacent Barangay Mangingisda--thereby She was joined by her two sisters, Shasa and Isha, and other stretching the distance to teammates from the Puerto Prin- more than 8 km. cesa Hammerhead Shark SwimUnmindful of the ming Team (PPHST). strong current, big waves as well as the scorching Not all of them made it Mayor Ed Hagedorn gives the team a warm hug after though as some who joined did heat of the sun, Siobe even completing the astounding feat.

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Shark Attack! Vol. 1, Issue No. 2

2007 MIMAROPA-RAA

8 Hammerhead Sharks qualifies for Pambansa CALAPAN CITY. When it seemed like host Calapan City’s fortress was impenetrable, Hammerhead Shark swimmers led the assault of Team Puerto Princesa and came out strong in the recently concluded MIMAROPA Regional Athletic Association (RAA).

Hammerhead Sharks Jeron Mercader and Gerrol Castillo dealt the more crucial blows as they bagged the first and second place overall finishes in the Secondary Boy’s category. Alfie Pilapil and Jefrey Pelosa took fifth and seventh honors.

Clarisse Layacan, who was the Team Puerto Princesa’s lone campaigner in Secondary Girls placed third overall behind Leah Galicia and Mara Goco of Team Calapan City and ahead of Jona Austria of Team Palawan.

Mark Joseph Pilapil, the only Hammerhead Shark in the Elementary Boys, placed second overall ahead of Edmundo Villa del Rey of Team Calapan and Hansene Incapas of Team Oriental Mindoro who finished

third and fourth overall, respectively. Paulo Tambal of Team Calapan garnered the top honor in Elementary Boys.

In Elementary Girls category, Nerissa Maggay broke the MIMAROPA record in 50 meters freestyle when she clocked 32.74 seconds ahead of Denise Tiquia of Team Calapan and Vanessa Basaya of Team Puerto Princesa. Maggay and Inessa Dalabajan finished third and fourth overall respectively. Daniella Infantado and Denise Tiquia of Team Calapan got the first and second place finishes.

Swimmers who placed first to eighth will represent the region in the 2007 Palarong Pambansa scheduled to be held in Koronadal, Cotabato in May this year. Hence, all the eight (8) swimmers that Hammerhead Shark sent to MIMAROPA-RAA will pack up for Cotabato.

The only other swimmers from Puerto Princesa who made it to the Palarong Pambansa are Vanessa Basaya who placed fifth in Elementary Girls and Carl Luis dela Cruz who finished sixth in Elementary Boys.

How PPC swimmers fared in MIMAROPA-RAA (name, ranking and swim team) Secondary Boys: Jeron Mercader (1st, Hammerhead Shark) Gerrol Castillo (2nd, Hammerhead Shark) Alfie Pilapil (5th, Hammerhead Shark) Jefrey Pelosa (7th, Hammerhead Shark) Jayson Jose (9th, Cetaceans) Secondary Girls: Clarisse Layacan (3rd, Hammerhead Shark) Elementary Boys: Mark Joseph Pilapil (2nd, Hammerhead Shark) Carl Luis dela Cruz (6th, Cetaceans) Joshua Padul (11th, Cetaceans) Matthew Rodriguez (12th, Cetaceans) Yancy Pascua (14th, Cetaceans) Keneth Aboratique (24th, Cetaceans) Garett Baaco (25th, Cetaceans) Elementary Girls: Nerissa Maggay (3rd, Hammerhead Shark) Inessa Dalabajan (4th, Hammerhead Shark) Vanessa Basaya (5th, Cetaceans) Yanny Pascua (10th, Cetaceans)

Siobe “the Shark”...(cont.)

Siobe in this file photo during the team’s conquest of Puerto Princesa Bay.

At the start of their swim, they seemed to be going nowhere so coach Danny Egot decided to join in order for the swimmers to get into the right track.

The only problem they encountered was the presence of jelly fish, which irritated them at first.

While swimming, some could be heard saying “Ang kati (It’s itchy.)”

Last Dec. 31, Dalabajan, who was nicknamed “Siobe the Shark” by her teammates at the Puerto Princesa Hammerhead Shark Swimming Team because of her prowess in the waters, successfully crossed the 2.5-

kilometer-stretch from Isla de Caña to Baywalk, which motivated her to conquer Puerto Princesa Bay. “For several times, I tried to stop her from doing this but I guess no amount of words could hold her back,” her father, Dante, said before the swim.

After the event, he was speechless of her feat at first.

“All I can say right now is that I’m ecstatic,” he said.

PPHSST coach Danny Egot said that with this, “We hope that we will be able to gain more support and raise the awareness of the people regarding the protection of the sea and its environs.”

The conquest of Puerto Princesa Bay was aimed at showcasing the strength, endurance and will power of the swimmers as well as encourage the private sector to support the swimming program of the city.

Egot said the swim also aimed to heighten the awareness of the public about the need to keep Puerto Princesa Bay clean.

“We want the next generations to enjoy what Siobe and her generation had the privilege of enjoying—which is a clean area where kids can swim,” he said.

Here are the schedules of meets where the Hammerhead Shark Team will see action: • Palarong Pambansa in Koronadal City, South Cotabato from April 22 to 28.

• 8th Davao Mayor’s Cup AgeGroup Swimming Competition, Ladislawa Country Club, Davao City from May 25 to 27 • Regional Finals of Philippine Olympic Festival, in Los Baños, Lagun from July 16 to 22, 2007 • National Finals of Philippine Olympic Festival in Nueva Ecija from September 3 to 9, 2007 • SEA Games Age Group Swimming Championship in Singapore City, sometime in October 2007

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We’re on theitiews.com/

oc http://www.ge eadshark ppc_hammerh

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Shark Attack! Vol. 1, Issue No. 2

Swim fast and be a scholar at Trace College HEY KIDS! There’s more reason not to miss practice other than avoiding Mom and Dad’s sermon.

By doing your daily routine and pouring it all out during competitions, you will get the chance to qualify in the national pool and

trator. “If they accept the offer, they go to Trace College, and get the chance to train with the best of the best. They also get food and lodging all for free,” Navarra added.

PCEAS, which was the site of the 2006 South East Asian Games, has an Olympic-size pool with anti-wave technology, a diving pool, a 25-meter training pool, Baham Mitra and Mayor Ed Hagea weight room and another room Cong. dorn hand out the Mayor’s Award to for dry-land exercises.

Siobe.

The school buildings are suSiobe got Mayor’s perb. One building even has a helipad on top. The school plum ground is expansive.

Siobe Dalabajan recently reIts dormitory will rival the expen- ceived the coveted Mayor’s sive hotels in Manila.

Award, “(f)or demonstrating extraSo, remember kids: Everyday in ordinary strength and stamina as a 7year old girl in the field of swimming practice is a step closer to Laguna and garnering several awards for the PCEAS! City of Puerto Princesa.”

Dan Egot now a world-class Coach!

Siobe was the youngest among 10 awardees which include a docHammerhead Shark Coach company of PASA President tor, a scientist, businessmen, and Dan Egot has recently been Mark Joseph, Susan Papa, the a journalist, and a multicab driver. inducted to the roster of the legendary Ral Rosario and Siobe bagged the award when World Swimming Coaches other swimming greats. she, together with the rest of the Association (WSCA) after he Coach Dan’s certification Hammerhead Shark Team swam hurdled its Level 1 test. with WSCA will broaden the waters that separate Brgy.

Coach Dan will join the piohis opportunities for Mangingisda and the City’s bayneer batch of elite coaches skills-improvement in walk around the country, includtraining and competition ing National Coaches of techniques and strategies.

The award is handed out annuABS-CBN’s Marc Logan interviews the indefatiga- ally to outstanding citizens who PASA. Coach Dan joins the ble Coach Danny Egot have made distinctive contribution to the City’s development. and prominence.

Jef Pelosa to swim with PCU Dolphins a dream of a lifetime opportunity to practice in the prettiest and most hightech training swimming facility in the country—the Philippine Center for Excellence in Aquatic Sports (PCEAS) in Trace College, Los Baños, Laguna.

“We offer full scholarships to kids who meet the PASA qualifying time,” says Arnie Navarra, PCEAS The façade of the Philippine Center for Excellence in Aquatic AdminisSports (PCEAS) located inside the Trace College in Los Baños,

Jefrey Pelosa’s hard work in the pool has

finally paid off! When school year 2007 opens, Jef, who has recently graduated from Palawan National School, will be donning the colors of the Philippine Christian University (PCU) in the National College Atheletic Association (NCAA). Jef, Hammerhead Shark’s premier breaststroker,

will be training under Coach Digs Pilapil, who used to be one of Puerto Princesa’s top swimmers and also a protégé of Coach Dan Egot. Asked what his advice is to aspiring varsitarians, Jef says, “they have to study as hard as they practice.”

Way to go, Jef!

Jomar Pilapil, new Hammerhead Shark asst coach

Starting this summer, Jomar Pilapil will be Coach Dan Egot’s coaching assistant. Coach Jomar is 22 years old and was one of Coach Dan’s outstanding tankers Hammerhead Shark’s breastroker Jef during the late 90’s. He won a Pelosa will now compete in the NCAA gold medal in freestyle during for the PCU Dolphins.

BIMP-EAGA invitational. He was also a familiar fixture in City 7 Hammerhead Sharks get citations from schools and regional meets during his Nerissa Maggay (Holy Trinity versity, also received recognition. time.

Seven (7) Hammerhead Sharks The awardees all agree that the College), and Jefrey Pelosa Coach Jomar will likely wield were recognized for bringing awards are fitting recognition of the timer and the whistle wheneach received Athlete of the pride and honor to their reYear award from their schools their dedication and commitever Coach Dan is in competispective schools. Mark Joseph upon graduation. Inessa Dala- ment to their sport. They said tions. When Coach Dan is prePilapil (West Central School), that their individual citations bajan and Gerrol Castillo, sent, Coach Jomar will be training Esther Carpio and Fatima both from Palawan State Uni- encourage them to work harder. the novices.

Ventura (East Central School),

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Shark Attack! Vol. 1, Issue No. 2

2007 National Youth Team Selection Trials

Hammerhead Sharks figure prominently in NY-TEST LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA. The Hammerthe 5th ASEAN Inter Club Age Group the Philippine Team under the 15 and over head Shark team made its presence felt in the Swimming Championships. age-group almost pulled a remarkable upset, national swimming scene by making a reMeanwhile, Jeron Mercader, who com- placing fourth in 1500 m freestyle behind spectable showing in the 2007 National veteran heavies Nikita Dacera, Timothy Yap peted against taller and older members of Youth Team Selection Trials (NY-TEST) and Raphael Grabador. held at the sprawling Philippine Center Backstrokers Nerissa Maggay and of Excellent for Aquatic Sports Clariss Layacan, and breastroker Jef (PCEAS) in Los Baños, Laguna from Pelosa and Inessa Dalabajan, simiFebruary 9-11. larly dished out respectable performGerrol Castillo led the shark attack ances in their respective age-groups. by garnering the top finish in the 100 Inessa, however, was hobbled by two m butterfly, the second best in 200 m (2) disqualifications. butterfly and the third place finish in The team’s experience in the national 400 m freestyle for the 13-14 agemeet will be an invaluable preparation group.

The Hammerhead delegation to NY-TEST 2007. back row from left: for the coming Regional Philippine Gerrol’s performance earned him Clariss Layacan, Sasha Dalabajan, and Nerissa Maggay. Front row Olympic Festival in July this year. slot in the Philippine Youth Team for from left: Jeron Mercader, Jef Pelosa, Geroll Castillo.

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS In the spirit of transparency and accountability, the Puerto Princesa Hammerhead Shark Swimming Team hereby presents its financial report in relation to the recently concluded National Youth Team Selection Trials held in Los Baños, Laguna from February 9 to 11, 2007.

HURRY!

Learn to Swim

like a hammerhead shark!

NY-TEST Expense Report Total Donations: Total Expenses: NY-TEST registration fee Plane fares Terminal fees Meals Lodging Inland transportation Supplies Miscellaneous expenses Remaining balance:

Signed:

DANTE DALABAJAN Team Director

59,800.00

3,000.00 22,666.00 1,680.00 16,800.00 11,200.00 1,400.00 630.75 2,178.50

59,555.25

Kids! Be part of the hottest, fastest, and winningest swim team in town. Enroll now with “Learn to Swim Like a Hammerhead Shark” .

We have programs for novice, advanced, and elite swimmers.

We can tailor-made your practice/ training schedules to your academic and other duties.

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For inquiries contact: Danny Egot, Head Coach 09102586558 or email us at <ppc_ hammerheadshark@yahoo.com> or visit us at the pool in front of Philippine Red Cross at H. Mendoza St., Puerto Princesa City.