By Edwin Rollon
CURRIMAO, Ilocos Norte — Rising stars Graziella Sophia Ato and Alexander Lawrence Chu stamped their class in the 2025 Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) National Tryouts in Open Water Swimming Championships, held over the weekend at the scenic Playa Tropical Resort in Currimao, Ilocos Norte.
The 15-year-old Ato, a native of Raois, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, and a Grade 10 student at the Great Heights Learning Center, emerged victorious in the girls’ 10,000-meter race. She clocked 2 hours, 54 minutes, and 02.00 seconds, edging out Jade Corrine Cruz of Ilustre East Swim Club (2:54:41.40) and Jie Angela Talosig of Midsayap Pirates (2:57:04.74).
In the men’s division, 21-year-old Chu of All-Star Swim Club captured the gold medal after finishing in 2:19:04.11. He outpaced Joshua Rafael Del Rio (2:19:09.13) and Palarong Pambansa standout Paolo Labanon of Ayala Harpoon Swim Club (2:19:45.91).
According to PAI Secretary General Eric Buhain, who personally supervised the competition, the top two finishers in each category automatically earned berths on the national team bound for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Bangkok, Thailand, this December.
“We extend our gratitude to all our young aspirants. Your participation is a testament of trust and confidence in the organization,” Buhain said. “To the winners and SEA Games qualifiers, congratulations on your victory. With three months to go before the SEA Games, we have time to further train and prepare.”
Buhain, joined by PAI Executive Secretary Anthony Reyes, awarded medals and certificates to all winners and finishers. The event was supported by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte led by Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, the Ilocos Norte Sports Office represented by Faivo Bartolome, the Municipality of Currimao, under Mayor Edward Quilal, Trisports Philippines (Mikey Chua), Madwave Philippines (Jose Ronaldo Vibar), the Ilocos Norte Coast Guard, the Ilocos Norte Medical Team, and local fisherfolk who provided bancas as safety vessels.
Ato’s victory also makes her the second teenage sensation to join the national team lineup for Bangkok. Just last week, fellow 15-year-old Kyla Bulaga of Ilocos Norte qualified after surpassing the standard in the 400-meter individual medley. Both Ato and Bulaga are under the tutelage of Olympian Ryan Arabejo.
Ato, already a decorated swimmer, previously bagged bronze medals in the 800m Freestyle at the Palarong Pambansa 2025 and in the 400m and 800m Freestyle at the PAI SEA Games Tryouts. She also represented the Philippines at the Asia Aquatics Open Water Swimming Championships last year in Hong Kong.
“Philippine Aquatics remains committed to elevating open water swimming in the country and ensuring strong representation in the upcoming SEA Games,” Buhain emphasized.
