6-yr-old swimmer crosses Hilutungan channel

Sun.Star: For the second time, a six-year-old boy showed he has a bright future in swimming by crossing the 10-kilometer stretch between Hilutungan channel and Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City. Justin Daniel Junio braved the current and itchiness caused by jellyfish and completed the distance 14 minutes earlier than expected. His destination was a private resort in Marigondon. Two minutes before 7 a.m. Junio jumped from the floating platform off Hilutungan Island to start the swim. Coast Guard frogmen and paramedics on board two rubber boats and a sea ambulance boarded by members of the media and some foreign observers escorted him. Show The show was not part of the Lapu-Lapu City’s fiesta celebration. But because the boy is an “adopted son" of Lapu-Lapu City, the city’s residents shared in his success. Paramedics had to apply ointment on Junio’s face and neck twice to stop the itchiness caused by jelly fish. He was allowed to drink only once. While all this was done, he didn’t stop swimming. His pa Junio’s father, Jose Florencio, a retired air force colonel, said the success of his son convinced him that the boy will someday compete in the Olympics and break a world record held by the 7-year-old American national for crossing the 2.5 kilometer of water between San Francisco and Alcatras Island. The city will be celebrating its annual fiesta on Nov. 21 and 22 in honor of its patron saint, the Virgin of the Rule. Fiesta activities will start Monday next week. Vice Mayor Mario Amores said he will consult with members of the City Council on what other awards the City can give to Junio for his success. Junio first caught attention last year after swimming across the 1.5-kilometer Mactan Channel when he was only five. - Sun.Star