Camille Naredo

Visitors flock to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

Visitors flock to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Boracay Island

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178506323042020250430-boracay-visitors-tourism-MD-1206.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Visitors flock to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File"/>Visitors flock to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA -- Organizers are banking on Boracay&#x27;s fame to attract more competitors and visitors to the 4th Southeast Asian Open Water Championships, set from August 21-23 off the Boracay Newcoast in Malay, Aklan.&quot;Indonesia had its Bali, Thailand had its Pattaya, and now the Philippines has Boracay to be proud of,&quot; said Philippine Aquatics Inc. secretary general Eric Buhain at the recent Philippine Sportswriters Association forum.&quot;So we can anticipate even more swimmers and tourists to watch the open water swimming meet,&quot; he added.According to PH Aquatics executive director Anthony Reyes, eight of the 11 member-countries from the Southeast Asian Swimming Federation will be fielding teams to the competition. Swimmers from Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam, and the Philippines will be in action. &quot;This sporting event not only advances the growth of open water swimming in Southeast Asia, but also shines a spotlight on Boracay island as a true gem of the region, while reflecting the warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people,&quot; said PH Aquatics president Michael Vargas.Buhain said that they expect to have around 200 swimmers in the regular medal distances of 5 and 10 kilometers in the men’s and women’s division. &quot;We can expect more participants in the open water festival in the 3 and 5-kilometer distances that will coincide with the regular meet so the numbers will swell,&quot; added Buhain.Both Buhain and Reyes emphasized that extra precautions were taken so that the meet will have three days of smooth sailing, with lifeguards, life rafts and medical and other needed personnel addressing the needs of swimmers all throughout strategic locations of the course.

Organizers are banking on Boracay's fame to attract more competitors and visitors to the 4th Southeast Asian Open Water Championships, set from August 21-23 off the Boracay Newcoast in Malay, Aklan.

Organizers are banking on Boracay's fame to attract more competitors and visitors to the 4th Southeast Asian Open Water Championships, set from August 21-23 off the Boracay Newcoast in Malay, Aklan.

Organizers hope Boracay's fame attracts competitors, tourists to SEA Open Water meet

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Sports

Organizers hope Boracay's fame attracts competitors, tourists to SEA Open Water meet

ABS-CBN News

Published July 26, 2026 06:55 PM PHT

Read More:

Boracay

Southeast Asian Open Water Championships

Philippine Sports Commission

PSC

Philippine Aquatics

Eric Buhain

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.