With the crystal-clear waters and white sands of Boracay serving as venue, the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships take center stage from 21 to 23 August at the Boracay Newcoast.

Organized by Philippine Aquatics Inc., (PAI) in cooperation with Southeast Asia Aquatics, the province of Aklan and various government agencies, the three-day competition aims to showcase athletic excellence while promoting sportsmanship, cultural exchange and Philippine sports tourism.

“We are very proud to host this event because open water swimming is an Olympic event,” said PAI secretary-general Eric Buhain during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum Tuesday at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) media room.

Buhain, a legendary swimmer for Team Philippines, said they expect 100 to 120 swimmers from eight countries, including 35 entries from the Philippines, in the 3K, 5K and 10K events for men and women.

“We are also here to promote our country in the same breath that Bali and Pattaya hosted the event. Pagandahan,” added Buhain, who was joined by PSC commissioner Fritz Gaston, PAI vice president Jojo Quilop and executive director Anthony Reyes.

On behalf of the PSC under chairman Patrick Gregorio, Gaston hailed the event as a boost to the country’s sports tourism program under the National Sports Tourism-Inter Agency Committee also headed by Gregorio.

“I’m also looking forward to this event because of the sports tourism aspect as well as the competition. Philippine Aquatics is on the right track promoting this,” said Gaston during the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.

Festival races are also on tap during the three-day event, previously held in Bali, Indonesia and Pattaya, Thailand.

“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,” said PAI president Michael Vargas in a prepared statement.

“Very curious ang Philippine Aquatics to uplift open water swimming in our country,” said Buhain, adding that this early, delegates from countries like Vietnam, Thailand, SIngapore and Indonesia are looking to extend their stay in Boracay after the event.