TUBIGON, Bohol (MindaNews / 22 Feb) — After a 27-month hiatus, environmental-lawyer and long distance swimmer Ingemar “Pinoy Aquaman” Macarine is back in the waters to pursue his lifetime passion on marine protection.
On Monday, February 24, Macarine vows to set a record by swimming from the Buluan Island to Serendipity Isle in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, a distance of 3.5 kilometers.
Lawyer-environmentalist Ingemar Macarine, the ‘Pinoy Aquaman,’ is back after a 27-month hiatus. Now weighing 20 kilos less than during his last long-distance swim in November 2017, Macarine vows to set a record in his long distance swim in Zamboanga Sibugay on Monday, 24 February 2020. MindaNews photo by ROEL N. CATOTO
Macarine’s charity swim, dubbed “Langoy Para sa Kinaiyahan ug Malungtarong Turismo” (Swim for the Environment and Sustainable Tourism), is organized by Zamboanga Sibugay’s 2nd District Representative Ann Hofer, as part of the activities in celebrating the 22nd anniversary of Zamboanga Sibugay as a separate province on February 24. The 1998 law creating the province was authored by the late governor and representative George T. Hofer.
Macarine’s last swim was on November 13, 2017 from Pamilacan Island to Baclayon town in Bohol province, his 34th open water swim and 17th marathon swim in his career.
On Monday, he will lead the record-setting swim to the tourist destination island, together with 15 other local swimmers from Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga City.
Expected to grace the event is Philippine Sport Commission commissioner Ramon Fernandez, who is pushing for open-water swimming sports in the grassroots level in the country.
Macarine has lost weight but appears stronger and younger.
Environmental lawyer Ingemar “Pinoy Aquaman” Macarine poses for the camera before going to his usual two-hour swim practice in Folkestone, United Kingdom. Macarine will swim from Dover in the United Kingdom to Calais in France on Sunday. if weather permits. Photo taken on August 5, 2017. MindaNews photo by Roel N. Catoto
He revealed to MindaNews that he suffered hypertension a few years ago while he was doing advocacy swims in and outside the country.
“I have been a vegetarian for three years now,” he said adding he now weighs 76 kilos from 96 kilos in 2017.
“What’s good news is that I controlled my hypertension and have lesser asthma attacks,” he said, attributing this to his food intake, constant exercise and good rest.”
Macarine earned the moniker “Pinoy Aquaman” for setting records as the only Filipino who has ventured into open-water swimming in several parts of the country and abroad, (Roel Catoto / MindaNews)
