Manila: In the coastal village of Tubli, Caramoran, Catanduanes, where the sea serves as both a source of livelihood and a training ground, a young swimmer's victory has become a story of perseverance, faith, and collective effort. Behind the success of 11-year-old Jhon Michael 'Bunso' Nazareno at the Palarong Bicol 2026 here is the unwavering dedication of his coach, the determination of the young athlete, and the steadfast support of his parents and the community.
According to Philippines News Agency, Nazareno ruled the 400-meter freestyle elementary boys' category on March 2, with a time of 5 minutes and 25.62 seconds, beating two rivals from Camarines Norte. He also captured silver medals in the 200-meter freestyle and the 4x100 freestyle relay. His triumph has become a source of pride for Tubli, inspiring other children to take up swimming despite limited facilities. But long before the medals, there were nights spent training in open waters.
For coach Joey Antonio, building swimmers in Tubli requires more than technique. It demands sacrifice. With no standard swimming pool in the village, most training sessions take place in the sea. 'Seventy percent of our training is in the sea. When the sea is not good, we transfer to the river or to Awinis Falls in Tubli,' Antonio told the Philippine News Agency in an interview. 'Sometimes we finish training in the sea late at night or already at dawn. Bunso's parents noticed that, so they went to the barangay captain and the councilor, and when we returned the next day, lights had already been installed,' he recalled.
Support often comes unexpectedly. 'There are people whom we can say were made instruments by God to help us. Even if we do not directly ask, there are those who approach us and give or donate equipment,' he said. To train in a proper swimming pool, the team travels nearly 70 kilometers to Virac, a two-hour journey that requires money for transportation, lodging, and pool rental. 'It is difficult, but I stick to the goal. It is hard to let go of the promise I made to the children, so even if I lack sleep and am extremely tired, we still train,' he said.
Nazareno's rise in the sport did not come from natural strength alone. 'The very first requirement is really attitude. You must be disciplined because skill can change, but attitude is what will carry you,' the coach said. Antonio recalled that Nazareno was not initially the strongest swimmer of the team. In fact, he was once considered an underdog. When he was in Grade 4, he settled for a bronze medal in the 2025 provincial meet in his lone individual event, which meant he was not able to advance to the Bicol meet that year.
During the previous training cycle for the Bicol meet, Nazareno joined the sessions with the team of another swimmer, Neo Sahjey Antonio, who had dominated the 400-meter and 200-meter freestyle events during the provincial meet. Even during the school break, he kept showing up, eager to improve and persistent in training. 'He was really hungry for it. He was thirsty to swim and compete,' Antonio recalled. Little by little, the coach began to notice his ward's progress. 'There was even a time I told him, 'you can make it to the nationals, Bunso,' because he was really getting better,' Antonio said.
A sudden twist of fate later opened an opportunity for the young swimmer. Neo suffered a knee injury and had to temporarily stop training upon his doctor's advice. With Neo still recovering, the coach eventually assigned the long-distance events to Nazareno. In a short time, Nazareno showed remarkable improvement. 'He was very teachable and easy to coach, so he improved quickly,' Antonio said.
Beyond the pool, Nazareno's journey was shaped by the sacrifices of his family. His mother, Corazon, sells fish, while his father earns a living catching them or making hollow blocks when the waters are rough. Their family also faced a devastating setback when Super Typhoon Uwan destroyed their home last year. 'When we returned the next day, everything was really gone, even the foundation of our house,' she recalled. Despite the loss, Corazon comforted her family during the tumultuous time. Her encouragement inspired Nazareno to pursue his sport even harder. 'I dedicate my victory to my mother and father so that our house can be finished,' he said, referring to the financial incentives. 'I need to train well and follow my coach.'
While Nazareno's success has brought pride to Tubli and the province, Antonio believes many young swimmers are waiting to be discovered. His hope now is to see a standard swimming pool built at the Tubli Elementary School so that future athletes will have better training opportunities. Until that dream becomes reality, the sea will continue to serve as their training ground -- where dedication, faith, and the unwavering support of a community shape the next generation of champions.
