BORACAY — Competing for international experience and with modest expectations, Jie Angela Mikaela Talosig surprised herself with a bronze at the close of the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) off the Boracay Newcoast here.

A mainstay of De La Salle University varsity swimming team, Talosig, 20, made her memorable international debut in a time of one hour, 18 minutes and 57 seconds for third place in the women's 20-year-old and above division.

Indonesia's Nadya Sirasawati secured the gold (1:07.23) while Thailand's Musikul Hirunhas (1:09.15) settled for silver in the competition organized by the Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) and sanctioned by Southeast Asian Federation.

Also bagging a bronze medal in the girls 12-13-year-old 3-km contest was Julia Jewels Pobleto, who clocked 50:40 behind Thais Kanchana Konsub (47:16) and Aliyah Sawangmun (49.48), who took gold and silver, respectively.

Nearly attaining a podium finish also for the country was Alfonso Joaquin de Mesa, who placed fourth in the boys 14-15-year-old class, checking in with a time of 1:04.57.

De Mesa was just slightly over two seconds behind Thailand bronze medalist Kantapong Polyiem (1:02.55), with Vietnamese Vin Thai Bao Nguyen ruling the race (57.44) and Thai Sakdichot Talawong second (59.42) in the meet also supported by the Aklan provincial and Malay municipal governments.

"Honestly, I just wanted to experience competing at the international level so to win a bronze medal for my efforts and in front of a hometown crowd at that is a pleasant surprise," Talosig said.

"This is truly a nice feeling," added the swimmer, who won a gold in the women's 800-meter freestyle and two bronzes in the last University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 swimming meet held at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.

"This hosting is just a dress rehearsal for more international open water events," said PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, who arrived here Sunday to encourage the local swimmers and awarded medals to the winners.

"What is important is that we not only provide a vehicle in promoting sports tourism but also expose our local athletes by competing with the best athletes from overseas as we have the hometown support to inspire them to do their best.”

With a smile of delight — and obvious relief — PAI secretary general Eric Buhain thanked the PSC and all of the participants for the successful staging of the three-day tournament.

"With the gloomy weather before the meet, we feel relieved that the elements cooperated and that we had three straight days of ideal sunny weather for our competition," Buhain said.

"We could not have asked for more."

"Our hats off to PSC Chairman Pato for fully supporting the staging of the championships, opening opportunities for even bigger open water international swimming meets in the future," he added.