Deiparine learned swimming as survival skill

James Deiparine, the Filipino-American who ended the country's 10-year gold medal drought in swimming, said on Thursday that he had learned swimming not for personal passion but as a survival skill.

"I grew up around a lake in Seattle, Washington and my mom just wanted all of me and my siblings to be water safe, to know how to swim so there would be no issue like drowning or things like that," Deiparine said in an interview with GMA News' Ian Cruz.

Though swimming was difficult, Deiparine said he developed his skills through good coaches, adding that he also trained in Los Angeles under Olympic coach David Salo who gave him the opportunity to prepare for the SEA games.

Fil-Am tanker James Deiparine sits at the poolside of the New Clark City Aquatic Center in Tarlac during an interview with GMA News reporter Ian Cruz on Thursday, December 5, 2019. Deiparine said, "It feels really good after last 2017 SEA Games I got two silvers so it’s kinda redemption for me to get a gold in front of the home crowd. It just means a lot to me and really proud of my heritage even though I wasn't born and raised in the Philippines." Deiparine was born in the US. Ian Cruz

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Deiparine on Wednesday bagged gold in the men's 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:01.46, breaking a 10-year Southeast Asian (SEA) Games record at the New Clark City Aquatic Center.

The award was similar to a "redemption" for Deiparine as he only previously snatched two silvers in SEA Games 2017.

Deiparine further revealed that it was his dream to represent the Philippines on an international stage.

"Ever since I was six years old, my grandparents told me to never forget where you come from. Swim for the Philippines one day, and so that’s always been my dream  to represent the country on [an] international stage," Deiparine said.

For Deiparine, the next step would be to qualify for the 100-meter breaststroke in the upcoming 2020 Olympics. "My goal would be to qualify for the 2020 Olympics and hit that qualifying time." 

The swimmer dedicated his medal to his family for their support and Philippine Swimming Inc. president Lani Velasco who "helped swimmers and all the aquatic sports and all the athletes so much."

Deiparine also thanked the public for their support and encouraged aspiring athletes to live their dreams.

"Always say always believe in yourself, cause you never know what you can do. You don't know if one day you'll end up [winning] a gold medal," he said. — Joahna Lei Casilao with Ian Cruz/RSJ, GMA News