Romwel Anzures

Article (news)

Photo courtesy of Ali Ruiz

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1755502750764IMG_8042.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="MANILA —- History was made as 34-year-old Lizon Ruiz became the first Filipina to conquer the grueling swim from Bohol to Cebu. Last August 12, the 4-foot-10 “Ali” Ruiz, alongside her two teammates, Hiroshi Ebihara and Victor Maximino Umbao, braved open waters, unpredictable currents, and long hours of fatigue to complete the 22-kilometer crossing from Getafe, Bohol to Sulpa Island, Cebu. The trio began their “crazy swim” at sunrise, cheered on by a dedicated support crew: a banca carrying a doctor, observer, photographer, and videographer, plus stand-up paddleboarder Cyril Igot, who provided hydration and nutrition throughout the journey. For Ali, the experience was a test of both body and mind. “It was really tough. The first nine kilometers felt like swimming in a pool,” Ruiz recalled. “But then, for two hours, we were fighting strong currents. It felt like we weren’t moving at all. Towards the end, it became calm again.” Despite the grueling pace, however, Ali never wavered. Instead, she focused on her strategy: slow and steady. “I focused on following the route, making sure not to drift off course. Cyril on the paddleboard really helped us with navigation,” she shared. “But at one point, we had to sprint because passenger boats were passing through. Otherwise, we could have been hit.” Fueled by just six energy gels, watermelon, and bananas, Ali and her teammates swam nonstop for over 11 hours, pausing only briefly for hydration. Ruiz’s journey to this milestone began just three years ago when she first took on open-water swimming. From 3km and 5km swims, she steadily built up her endurance, completing a 12km swim in Cebu last year with Cyril also by her side. The idea of crossing from Bohol to Cebu had been on her mind for over a year. “It’s been with me for so long. I kept it to myself at first, then slowly shared it with people I trusted. It was about avoiding pressure and focusing on the goal,” she said. When asked if quitting ever crossed her mind, Ali was firm: “Not at all. My target was to really do it. It’s like do it or do it.” Her achievement now places her in the same league as Atty. Ingemar Macarine, the “Pinoy Aquaman,” who first swam the route in 2016. For Ruiz, this victory is just the beginning. The team is submitting documentation of their feat to the World Open Water Swimming Association for official recognition. But even as she basks in this historic accomplishment, Ali is already dreaming bigger. “The next idea is exciting and scary: the English Channel. I’d love to be the first Filipino to successfully do that. Hopefully, I’ll do it with Maxi and Hiroshi. I really want to swim with them again.” From the waters of Bohol to the currents of Cebu — and maybe someday, to the legendary English Channel — Ali Ruiz is proving that limits exist only to be broken."/>Photo courtesy of Ali Ruiz.MANILA —- History was made as 34-year-old Alizon Ruiz became the first Filipina to conquer the grueling swim from Bohol to Cebu.</div>Last August 12, the 4-foot-10 “Ali” Ruiz, alongside her two teammates, Hiroshi Ebihara and Victor Maximino Umbao, braved open waters, unpredictable currents, and long hours of fatigue to complete the 22-kilometer crossing from Getafe, Bohol to Sulpa Island, Cebu.The trio began their “crazy swim” at sunrise, cheered on by a dedicated support crew: a banca carrying a doctor, observer, photographer, and videographer, plus stand-up paddleboarder Cyrel Igot, who provided hydration and nutrition throughout the journey.For Ali, the experience was a test of both body and mind.“It was really tough. The first nine kilometers felt like swimming in a pool,” Ruiz recalled. “But then, for two hours, we were fighting strong currents. It felt like we weren’t moving at all. Towards the end, it became calm again.”Despite the grueling pace, however, Ali never wavered. Instead, she focused on her strategy: slow and steady.“I focused on following the route, making sure not to drift off course. Cyrel on the paddleboard really helped us with navigation,” she shared. “But at one point, we had to sprint because passenger boats were passing through. Otherwise, we could have been hit.”Fueled by just six energy gels, watermelon, and bananas, Ali and her teammates swam nonstop for over 11 hours, pausing only briefly for hydration.Ruiz’s journey to this milestone began just three years ago when she first took on open-water swimming.From 3km and 5km swims, she steadily built up her endurance, completing a 12km swim in Cebu last year with Cyrel also by her side.The idea of crossing from Bohol to Cebu had been on her mind for over a year.“It’s been with me for so long. I kept it to myself at first, then slowly shared it with people I trusted. It was about avoiding pressure and focusing on the goal,” she said.When asked if quitting ever crossed her mind, Ali was firm: “Not at all. My target was to really do it. It’s like do it or do it.”Her achievement now places her in the same league as Atty. Ingemar Macarine, the “Pinoy Aquaman,” who first swam the route in 2016.For Ruiz, this victory is just the beginning. The team is submitting documentation of their feat to the World Open Water Swimming Association for official recognition. But even as she basks in this historic accomplishment, Ali is already dreaming bigger.“The next idea is exciting and scary: the English Channel. I’d love to be the first Filipino to successfully do that. Hopefully, I’ll do it with Maxi and Hiroshi. I really want to swim with them again.”

History was made as 34-year-old Alizon Ruiz became the first Filipina to conquer the grueling swim from Bohol to Cebu.

History was made as 34-year-old Alizon Ruiz became the first Filipina to conquer the grueling swim from Bohol to Cebu.

Ali Ruiz becomes 1st Pinay to complete 23-km Bohol to Cebu swim

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Ali Ruiz becomes 1st Pinay to complete 23-km Bohol to Cebu swim

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 18, 2025 04:10 PM PHT

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Updated Aug 18, 2025 07:03 PM PHT

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Swimming

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Bohol to Cebu

Ali Ruiz

open water swimming

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