From Bohol to the World- ‘Pinoy Aquaman’ to swim English Channel

From Bohol to the World

‘Pinoy Aquaman’ to swim English Channel on Sun

 DOVER, UNITED KINGDOM- For mountain climbers, Mt. Everest is the ultimate challenge. For swimmers, it's crossing the English Channel.

And only a few people who try this succeed.

But for environmental lawyer and tri-athlete Ingemar Macarine, who earned the moniker “Pinoy Aquaman”, he will attempt to swim the English Channel at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 13 (August 13, 9:30 a.m. Philippine Time).

If he succeeds Macarine, 41, will be the first Filipino swimmer to swim across the Channel.

Environmental lawyer Ingemar “Pinoy Aquaman” Macarine 

will be the first Filipino swimmer who attempts

 to swim the English Channel which is considered as the "Mt. Everest"

 of swimming on Sunday. He is practising two hours a 

day swimming in almost freezing water at Dover Port.  Photo by Leo Udtohan

The swim will be the first crossing by a Filipino swimmer of the sea passage that separates the United Kingdom and France to test of physical and mental strength and courage.

Fewer people have swum the English Channel than have climbed Mount Everest.

Macarine, who is swimming to promote clean seas, Philippine tourism and international friendship, spent two hours every day since he arrived in the United Kingdom last July 30.

He said hopes to complete the 21-mile (34 km) swim in under 15 hours.

The wind and weather are also a problem - as the Dover Straits are prone to local weather conditions that can change very quickly and which do not match the forecasts.

The water is nearly freezing water (15-16 degrees Celsius) though Britons have anticipating summer this month.

“I have been training at the Dover Harbor for two hours every day. The water temperature is around 16 degrees so it is very cold compared to the Philippines where I trained in the 30 degree water temperature,” said Macarine, an election officer of Tubigon town.

Hypothermia is an issue for swimmers, but swimmers are unclothed and exposed to the elements unlike any other endurance athlete.

“Hypothermia would be my number one challenge as I am used to the tropical waters of the Philippines,” he added.

Captain Matthew Webb made the first unassisted 

and observed cross-channel swim in 1875; 

he made landfall in 21 hours and 45 minutes. 

Dover Museum 

There are a lot of factors that combine to make the swim hard but the cold is the biggest hurdle, said Eric Hartley of the Pathfinder Charter and Channel Swimming Association (CSA) observer Keith Oiller.

Swimmers said that it's not about the distance since lot of people can swim but the cold water.

Last Tuesday, a man died during an attempt to swim the English Channel as part of a gruelling triathlon. Newspapers reported that Douglas Waymark, 44 from Cheltenham, got into difficulty about half way across, 12 nautical miles from Dover.

Oiller said the tides are also hard to predict as they are strong and change direction approximately every six hours.

They also change in height and flow speed every day.

There is also the problem of the number of ships using these waters - because to go from England to France you have to swim across the shipping lanes.

CSA requires swimmers to attempt the challenge clad in nothing more than ordinary swimming trunks, swim cap, and goggles.

Wetsuits and other floating devices are absolutely not allowed. The rules also dictate that a swimmer should not touched the boat nor can be touched by another person during the entire course of the swim.

Your VRS with (l) Channel Swimming Association (CSA) 

observer Keith Oiller, coach Roel Catoto, 

Lawyer Ingemar Macarine and Eric Hartley

 of the Pathfinder Charter at Dover Marina. 

Ever since Captain Matthew Webb's first successful Channel swim in 1875, thousands of swimmers have attempted to emulate his feat. Most are content to complete the swim, others are determined to set new records.

It all started in 1872 when JB Johnson tried to swim the Channel, but failed, abandoning his attempt after 1 hour and 3 minutes. Reading of his exploits, Captain Webb (1848-1883) became inspired to try it in 1875 for 21 hours and 45 minutes.

Since then, interest has grown in Channel swimming, and there is always a waiting list of people booking places with pilots from the Channel Swimming Association and the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation in the hope of adding their names to the list of those who achieve it.

So far 1,753 swimmers have made a total of 2,280 solo crossings across the channel since 1875, according to the CSA.

15 Things you probably didn't know about

swimming across the English Channel

Swimming the English Channel is a lot more complex than it seems.  Read on...

1. First recorded crossing of Channel was by an Italian prisoner-of-war in 1817; Giovan Maria Salati made his escape from a prison barge in Dover and swam to Boulogne using straw as a buoyancy aid.

2. Captain Matthew Webb made the first unassisted and observed cross-channel swim in 1875; he made landfall in 21 hours and 45 minutes.

Pinoy Aquaman “meet and greet” the Filipino community in UK. 

Photo by Leo Udtohan

3. In 1926, the American Gertrude Ederle (pictured) became first woman to swim the Channel - her time was 14 hours and 34 minutes.

4. The record for fastest-ever cross-channel swim is held by the Australian Trent Grimsey, who managed six hours and 55 minutes in 2012.

5. King of the English Channel is Kevin Murphy, with 34 solo crossings.

6. The Queen of English Channel Alison Streeter who swum the English Channel 43 times - more than anyone else in the world.

7.   For a swim to be officially recognised, you must not be assisted by any kind of artificial aid – and you are only permitted to use goggles, one cap, a nose clip, ear plugs and one costume, that must be sleeveless and legless. For Macarine, he will be using swimming cap, trunks and goggles.

8. You are allowed to grease yourself up for insulation. Macarine will use sunblock.

9. You must enter the sea from the shore of departure and finish on dry land at the other side, “or touch steep cliffs of the opposite coast with no sea water”, according to the Channel Swimming Association, founded in 1927, which regulates attempts.

10.  Swimming the Channel is not cheap and will set you back a few thousand pounds, the largest chunk of which goes towards a registered pilot and escort boat. Macarine has already spent £ 10,000 or half-million pesos. He swim is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission thru Chairman William Ramirez, Commissioner Mon Fernandez Maxi Green & Ramsey Quijano; COMELEC courtesy of Chairman Andres Bautista; Speedo Philippines thru VP Manish Mahtani May Valentino Crissa Brozas; Maldita Man thru Irene Chan;  First Consolidated Bank (FCB) thru Pres. Argeo Melisimo Pie Puerto;  Martello Building Consultancy thru Andy Cruttenden; Kennington Masonic Lodge 1381 thru Worshipful Master Michael Duque Carmelo N. Rebolos; Bohol 2^nd Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado; and Sparklab.

11. The distance swum is approximately 34 kilometers (21 miles), but changes according to the current. Tides need to be taken into account and most swimmers tackle a sort of S-shaped course.

12. Swimmers usually start at or near Shakespeare’s Cliff or Samphire Hoe at Dover and aim to finish at Cap Gris Nez (between Boulogne and Calais), France.

13.  Because you are not allowed to touch another human during the course of the swim, any fuel in the way of food will be passed to you by a long pole from your escort boat. That is feeding time.

14. The Channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, with 600 tankers and 200 ferries passing through every day. Your escort and pilot’s job is to make sure you don’t get mowed down.

15. You must book one to two years ahead for a slot to attempt a crossing. In the case of Macarine, he booked last year.

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.

Christmas Trivia

Wake-uppers:

Seen: Thank you, thank you, thank you to the Association of Writers and Radio Announcers Foundation, Inc. for the, ehem, Contributor of the Year 2011 Award (Feature Writing Category) during the 12^th Joint Awarding Rites and Christmas Party of AWRAFI-BLACC-LUDABI last Dec. 10. The award touched me even more deeply because it inspires me to write more no matter how crazy the showbiz/entertainment gets. Gracias por todo!

Scene: Residents of Barangay Malayo Sur, Cortes town received the “Bundles of Joy” and “Feeding Program” conducted by the members of the Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF) and Christian Professional Fellowship (CHRISPROFEL) of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. Barangay Captain Antonio Samsam welcomed and thanked the UCCP members for choosing Malayo Sur as recipient of the church yearly program.  UCCP Admin Pastor Rev. George Lungay, Romel Mahinay and Bethelou Piel spearheaded the activities. Aside from the feeding and distribution of bundles of joy, residents of Malayo were serenade by the Spiritual Touch Singers and CYF Band.

Scene:  Members of Baryo Amigo Cultural Troupe (BACT) of Toril, Maribojoc town revives the age-old traditions with their pastores (shepherds), a Spanish-era tradition depicting the shepherds’ jubilation at the birth of Christ. The event features musical groups interpreting through song and dance. BACT performed last Dec. 17 as part of the Bohol Arts Festival. The hour long Christmas musical was an instructional tool for people to know the story of the nativity, including some of the doctrines of the Church hierarchy regarding the nature of the birth of Christ. The lyrics say, “Gipanamkon nga ulay nga Virgen, gianak didto sa Belen. Putling kahimtang salamin, ang pagkaulay dili mabalhin. Nag-antus sa mga kapobre, gipahigda sa presepre. Ang banig habol gisilbi ang uhot, ug ang dagami.”

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How much do you know about the Christmas celebration?  Here are interesting Christmas trivia around the world on Christmas, collected by my nephew Yakyak:

• Merry Xmas! This abbreviation started with the Greeks. "X" is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ: Xristos. So saying or writing "Xmas" is the same as "C-mas."

• Jesus Christ, son of Mary, was born in a cave, not in a wooden stable. Caves were used to keep animals in because of the intense heat. A large church is now built over the cave, and people can go down inside the cave. The carpenters of Jesus' day were really stone cutters. Wood was not used as widely as it is today. So whenever you see a Christmas nativity scene with a wooden stable -- that's the “American” version, not the Biblical one.

• Christmas was once a moveable feast celebrated at many different times during the year. The choice of December 25, was made by Pope Julius I, in the 4th century A.D., because this coincided with the pagan rituals of Winter Solstice, or Return of the Sun. The intent was to replace the pagan celebration with the Christian one.

•December 25 was not celebrated as the birth date of Christ until the year 440 A.D.

• In France, Christmas is called Noel. This is derived from the French phrase les bonnes nouvelles, which means literally "the good news" and refers to the gospel.

• One of the striking symbols of Christmas in Philippines is the Parol. Parols are handmade star shaped lanterns. They symbolize the star of Bethlehem that led the three wise men to baby Jesus.

• Christmas season in Philippines is ushered in from December 16, with an Evening Mass or Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi. Celebrated for nine days till Christmas Eve (December 24). It begins at 4 o’clock in morning.

• Caroling is a cherished tradition for the Filipinos. Carolers perform for charity or for simple fun.

• There are 12 courses in Ukrainian Christmas Eve supper. According to Christian tradition, each course is dedicated 2 one of Christ’s apostles.

• The custom of singing Christmas carols is very old – the earliest English collection was published in

1521.

• The Christmas season begins at sundown on 24th December and lasts through sundown on 5th January. For that reason, this season is also known as 12 Days of Christmas.

• The best selling Christmas trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir and white pine.

• Santa’s Reindeers are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. (No Rudolf)

• Myrrh is an aromatic gum resin which oozes from gashes cut in the bark of a small desert tree known as Commifera Myrrha or the dindin tree.

• More diamonds are purchased at Christmas-time (31 percent) than during any other holiday or occasion during the year.

• It is estimated that 400,000 people become sick each year from eating tainted Christmas leftovers.

• In France, Christmas is called Noel. This is derived from French phrase “les bonnes nouvelles,” which means “the good news” and refers to the gospel.

• Frankincense is a sweet smelling gum resin derived from certain Boswellia trees which, at time of Christ, grew in Arabia, India, and Ethiopia.

• There are two Christmas Islands. Christmas Island in Pacific Ocean was formerly called Kiritimati. Christmas Island in Indian Ocean is 52 sq miles.

• An artificial spider and web are often included in decorations on Ukrainian Christmas trees. A web found on Christmas morning is believed to bring good luck.

• According to historical accounts, the first Christmas in Philippines was celebrated 200 years before Magellan discovered country for the western world.

• The first Christmas card was created in England on December 9, 1842.

• Electric Christmas tree lights were first used in 1895. The idea for using electric Christmas lights came from an American, Ralph E. Morris. The new lights proved safer than the traditional candles.

• Historians have traced some of the current traditions surrounding Father Christmas, or Santa Claus, back to ancient Celtic roots. Father Christmas's elves are the modernization of the “Nature folk” of the Pagan religions; his reindeer are associated with the “Horned God,” which was one of the Pagan deities.

• Forty percent of Filipino adults said they expect to gain weight during the winter holiday season. Of those, about 60 percent said following Christmas and New Year's Day, they would return to their original weight.

• Forty percent of child psychologists advise parents of preschoolers to “confirm Santa’s existence.”

• The popular Christmas song "Jingle Bells" was composed in 1857 by James Pierpont, and was originally called "One-Horse Open Sleigh."

• The Puritans forbade the singing of Christmas carols.

 • The tradition of Christmas lights dates back to when Christians were persecuted for saying Mass. A simple candle in the window meant that Mass would be celebrated there that night.

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Besides Kasadya Ning Taknaa, Ania Kami, Jingle Bells and Give Love on Christmas Day, The Twelve Days of Christmas is also my favorite, which is, you admit it, a bit hard to memorize. The song has a religious significance and the items mentioned in the lyrics are said to be “symbolic,” you know (the last stanza):

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying.
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!

What exactly are the "Twelve Days of Christmas?"

According to the Internet, the song which starts with Christmas Day and ends with the eve of the Epiphany (usually Jan. 5), is said to have English origins in the 16th century although the music is reputed to be French. Its first publication date was 1780.

The “Twelve Days of Christmas” was originally written to help Catholic children, in England, remember different articles of faith during the persecution by Protestant Monarchs. The “true love” represented God, and the gifts all different ideas, the “Partridge in a pear tree” was Christ.

The other symbols mean the following: 2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments; 3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity-- the Theological Virtues; 4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists; 5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which relays the history of man's fall from grace; 6 Geese A-laying = the six days of Creation; 7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments; 8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes;9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit; 10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments;11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles; and 12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed.

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter or email at Facebook.