Antique: The Antique Provincial Board on Monday awarded a 12-year-old girl with a certificate of commendation for helping save the lives of her fellow passengers on board the vessel that capsized off the shores of the municipality of Culasi on May 6. Vice Gov. Genevive Lim-Reyes, during their regular session on Monday, said Cherry Ann Mateo performed a heroic deed when she swam for hours to seek help after their motorboat capsized due to strong waves.

According to Philippines News Agency, the resolution passed by the provincial board highlighted that Mateo swam for four hours from the site of the incident, which occurred between the shores of the island barangays of Mararison and Batbatan in the Municipality of Culasi, before reaching Batbatan. 'I am happy that the provincial board gave me a commendation,' Mateo said.

Mateo was accompanied by her mother, Christy, and Batbatan Punong village chief Bobby Mateo in receiving the recognition. Her mother mentioned that Cherry Ann learned to swim at the age of 5, and she never imagined that this skill would one day contribute to saving lives.

In addition to the commendation, Mateo's family received PHP10,000 in financial assistance from the office of Antique Rep. Antonio Agapito Legarda.