DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental -- Six women will attempt on Sunday to swim across the Tañon Strait that lies between Cebu and Negros Islands to celebrate “Women’s Month” this March.
The six who are participating in the 6.4-kilometer Tañon Strait All-Women Open Water Swim are Frances Hope Yap, 39, an eye surgeon; Maria Monica Angela Rodriguez, 50, sports coordinator, triathlete and dragon boat paddler; Sheila Pabalete, 47, also a triathlete and dragon boat paddler;
Jeanne Monique Furbeyre, 32, sports coordinator; Chesa Nicole Furbeyre, 28, a registered nurse; and Floriemae Barot-Datoy, 35, also a registered nurse, triathlete and dragonboat paddler.
In an interview Friday, Maria Monica Angela Rodriguez said their small group of friends call themselves the “Ocean 6”.
The Ocean 6 will jump off at around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday at a resort in Liloan, Santander in Cebu and are expected to reach their finish line area in Campaclan, Sibulan in Negros Oriental before noontime.
The Philippine Coast Guard, rescue boats, Bantay Dagat and escorts will secure their safety while swimming across the Strait.
Lt. Junior Grade Donna Liza Ramacho, commander of the Philippine Coast Guard in Negros Oriental, said she will deploy their sea crafts and personnel during the Tañon Strait All-Women Open Water Swim.
She also coordinated with her Coast Guard counterpart in Cebu.
This is the first time that an all-women group will endeavor to swim across the Strait, although some male swimmers had already done it before, including lawyer Ingemar Macarine, known as Pinoy Aquaman, of the Commission on Elections. (PNA)
