By CALVIN CORDOVA
CEBU CITY – A 25-year-old native of Lapu-Lapu City will embark on a very challenging mission when he tries to circumnavigate Mactan Island later this month.
Cleevan Kayne Alegres of Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu will try to become the first Oponganon to swim around Mactan Island on April 24.
Alegres’ open-water swim will be part of the 500th celebration of the “Kadaugan sa Mactan” on April 27, said Lapu-Lapu Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan.
Swimming around Mactan Island is equivalent to a 42-kilometer swim, which would take at least 18 hours of non-stop swimming to complete.
“We welcome Cleevan’s open-water swim because this is his way of honoring our hero, Lapu-Lapu,” said Chan.
Before the 40-kilometer swim, Alegres will have some sort of a warm-up as he will swim around Olango Island on April 5.
The Olango swim will be a 19- to 21-kilometer swim.
“We are hoping that Cleevan will get the needed support for him to achieve what would be a historic feat. His mission shows how unique the Oponganons are,” said Chan.