The official newsletter of the Puerto Princesa City Hammerhead Shark Swimming Team
For inquiries contact: Danny Egot, Head Coach 09102586558 or email us at: hammerheadshark@yahoo.com
2nd Philippine Olympic Festival National Championship Hammerhead Sharks win 11 Golds, 6 Silvers and 4 Bronzes in National Championship
ENEMIES AT THE GATE! DEFEND THE FORT!
Hammerhead Shark swimmers will lead the defense of Puerto Princesa fort from invading teams of Oriental Mindoro, Calapan City and Palawan during the MIMAROPA Regional Athletic meet scheduled in summer of 2008.
The Puerto Princesa Hammerhead Shark Swimming Team brought back Puerto Princesa to the map of national swimming when they bagged a total of 11 golds, 6 silvers and 4 bronzes in the just concluded 2nd Philippine Olympic Festival National Championship held from November 15 to 18, 2007 at the Philippine Aquatics Center at Trace College, Los Baños, Laguna. The team’s astonishing performance was actually a slight difference from its 12 golds, 3 silvers and 7 bronzes harvest in the divisional finals held in Naga City last October 24 to 28, 2007.
Jeron Mercader, a senior high school student at Palawan National School was adjudged as the most decorated athlete of the Championship by winning 8 gold medals and 1 silver. Jeron got first place finishes in 100 free, 100 back, 1500 free, 50 free, 200 back, 200 free, 100 fly, 400 free, and a silver in 200 IM. Gerrol Castillo, another senior student from Palawan State University, garnered 3 golds, 1 silver and 3 bronzes. Gerrol beat his pal, Banjo Borja, an ASEAN Games aspirant from Laguna, for top finishes in 100 and 200 fly and 400 IM.
Courtney Melissa Gray, a grade 4 student at Palawan Hope Christian School grabbed four (4) silver medals in 200m, 200 IM, 50 free, 100 back, and 400 free. She finished second overall to Maria Aresa Lipat of Batangas City, who swept all the gold medals in the age-10 band. Many swimming aficioanados see the rivalry of Courtney and Lipat to be just as intense for many years to come.
Inessa Dalabajan of PSU, who qualified in the Championship on the strength of her two (2) gold and one (1) bronze medals, salvaged a bronze finish in 800 free.
Says Coach Danny Egot, the proud Hammerhead Shark chief tactician, “It was no small feat to have reached the national finals. For our kids to have gone that far and won medals is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”
In an interview with Mabuhay Magazine, the official monthly publication of the Puerto Princesa City Government, Mayor Edward Hagedorn, the team’s number one cheerleader, says that, “Who knows? With the success our team has been getting, it will not be farfetched when we can send swimmers to the Olympics.” Added Mayor Ed, “That is why, as much as I can, I will extend support to our team in its endeavors.”
In what is seen as a defense reminiscent of the Battle of Helms Deep, the Hammerhead Shark team promises not to give an inch of the territory as they defend the pride and honor of the City. In J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel “The Lord of the Rings”, the outnumbered men of Rohan, reinforced by Denedain and Mirkwood, successfully repelled the overpowering forces of Saruman consisting of thousands of Orcs and Uruk-hai.
Jeron Mercader (Palawan National High school) and Gerrol Castillo (Palawan State University), the Aragorn and the Legolas of the team will protect the high school boys flank. Jeron and Gerrol shared the first place finish sweeping all the golds in their respective events in the just concluded 2007 City Meet, which serves as the qualifying round for MIMAROPA meet. “We will do the best we can to secure Puerto Princesa’s dominant place in the region,” says Gerrol. Gerrol and Jeron will get ample support from fellow Hammerhead Sharks Mark Joseph “Gio” Pilapil, and Alfie Pilapil.
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We set the bar high in 2007
Dear Swimmers, Coaches, and Friends:
The year 2007 has been very propitious as the team has made several marks in the national swimming scene.
We started the year by sending six (6) of our best athletes in the National Youth Team Selection Try-outs (NY-TEST). Three of our swimmers—Jeron Mercader, Gerrol Castillo, and Jefrey Pelosa—barged into the top 20 in national ranking of 12 swimming events. The NY-TEST served as Gerrol’s ticket to reach the ASEAN Inter-club Age-Group Swimming Championship. Gerrol bagged 2 bronzes in individual, a gold and a silver in team categories for Team Pilipinas.
On March 4, the team landed in newspapers and major TV networks when its swimmers crossed the 9.05 kilometer water distance that separate Brgy. Mangingisda and the City Baywalk, setting what perhaps is a world mark.
In March, eight (8) of our team members— Jeron, Gerrol, Jefrey together with Alfie Pilapil, Clarissa Layacan, Gio Pilapil, Nerissa Maggay, and Inessa Dalabajan—led the assault of Team Puerto Princesa in Calapan City for the year’s MIMAROPA-RAA meet. All of our eight (8) swimmers made it to the 2007 Palarong Pambansa, which was held in Koronadal City.
To cap the successful year, the team blew out its rival teams in the 2007 City Meet held last November. For high school boys, Jeron and Gerrol shared 1st place finishes; while Nerissa and Clariss finished 2nd and 3rd behind Vanessa Basaya for high school girls. Hapon Rosel and Zandro Valledor finished 2nd and 3rd for elementary boys behind Carl dela Cruz; and, Courtney Gray and Sasha Dalabajan grabbed the first and second spots in the elementary girls.
OUR HEARTFELT THANKS!
Truly, we have set the bar high for 2007, and I believe, the team has the right materials to surpass its sterling feat.
For one, we have increased our PASAregistered swimmers remarkably. Our PASAregistered swimmers will be our arsenal of weapons for the regional, national, and by God’s grace, international meets. Yes, we will continue to rely on our veteran campaigners—Jeron, Gerrol, Courtney, Sasha and Nerissa—but at the rate our up-and-coming tankers are improving (and I’m talking about Zandro Valledor, Albert Ventura, Buboy Layacan, Sam Villamor; Esther and Leigh Carpio, Darlene Serrano, just to name a few) it will not be long when they too will break into the national limelight. So, there, we have a very deep bench.
For another, the team has added veteran swimmer Jomar Pilapil to assist Coach Dan Egot. We have invested on Coach Dan’s attendance to Coach Fred Arzaga Lecture Series on Olympic Coaching. Coach Jomar’s addition to our coaching roster and Coach Dan’s additional insights can only propel the team to higher heights, or shall I say, greater depths.
I take this opportunity to take my hats off to Coach Dan, and his assistant, Coach Jomar. I don’t know if the team can ever find as hard working a mentor as Coach Dan. He comes at 5:30 am for the morning practice and finish the evening sessions at around 8:30pm. Coach Dan is the captain of our ship, and it will go wherever he steers it..
Indeed, we’ve set the bar high in 2007, and to surpass it and achieve greater heights will be our cause and our commitment for 2008. Mabuhay tayong lahat at pagpalain nawa tayo ng Maykapal!
Truly yours,
Dante DalabajanEnemies at the gate…...
The team composed of Nerissa Maggay (Holy Trinity College) Clarisse Faith Layacan, and Maureen Mercader of PNS, Fatima Ventura (PSU), and Esther Faith Carpio (Fulbright College) will barricade the flank of high school girls category.
Manning the gates of elementary boys are the joint forces of Julius Caesar “Hapon” Rosel and Albert Ventura of East Central School , and Zandro Valledor (Salve Regina). The walls of elementary girls will be watch over by Courtney Melissa Gray (Hope Cristian School and Sasha Dalabajan (PSU). Courtney and Sasha, who finished first and second during the City Meet will be reinforced by Darlene Jean Serrano (PES) and Precious Leigh Carpio (East Central School).
The guerilla band of Team Puerto Princesa, consisting of a handful of Hammerhead Shark tankers and a few others, came out short of wresting the title from host Team Calapan City in last year’s MIMAROPA-RAA meet. With the home crowd behind and the pride to protect, the team promises to take-no-prisoner approach.
Hammerhead Sharks to compete in NY-TEST
The Hammerhead Sharks Swimming Team is now preparing its final roster for the National Youth Team Selection Trials, which is set to be held from March 6 to 9 in Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila. Last year, Hammerhead Sharks’ very own Gerrol Castillo made it to South East Asian Games Age-Group Swimming Competition because of his impressive performance in NY-TEST. For this year, the team will be sending some of its promising swimmers.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Cong. Baham Mitra and Gov. Joel Reyes, Councilors Roger Castro and Feliboy Oliveros, Board Members Evelyn F. Rodriguez, Alice F. Fabellon, Ernesto A. Llacuna,the late Rafael J. Liggayu and the late businessman Noel Matta. Without their support, our NY-TEST campaign would not have been possible.
Our gratitude also go to Board members Joselito A. Cadlaon and Ernesto A. Llacuna for donating some facilities for the team. Our deepest gratitude is reserved to His Honor Edward S. Hagedorn, and his loving wife Mrs. Ellen Hagedorn whose support to the team has been unqualified. To them, we send our million thanks and the promise of the team to continue producing swimming champions who will bring glory and honor to Puerto Princesa.