Consul (a.h.) Thelmo Cunanan Jr is organizing an international friendship swim by Filipinos across the English Channel. This is a core activity of the First Filipino International Movement, which Consul Cunanan founded and chairs and is dedicated to historical accomplishments by Filipinos all over the world, in the spirit of international friendship and cooperation.

The swim, which is scheduled for August, will be the first crossing by Filipino swimmers of the 35-kiloneter sea passage that separates the United Kingdom and France. This is considered the “Mount Everest” of open water swims and will be a test of physical and mental strength, courage, sheer human will and heart.

The international friendship swim will be led by Filipino “aquaman” Ingemar Macarine of Surigao. The swimmers will be clad in nothing more than ordinary swimming trunks, swim cap, and goggles, as per open water rules. Consul Cunanan said the team expects the swim to be completed in approximately 13 – 15 hours, given weather conditions and currents.

This swim will celebrate international friendship and to raise awareness of climate change and global warming—core advocacies of the First Filipino International Movement. The August event will also include maritime protection art exhibits in the United Kingdom and Ireland, in cooperation with partner-NGOs Ocean Security International (OSI) and Earthsavers UNESCO Artists for Peace. Finally, the First Filipino International Movement will join OSI and Earthsavers in presenting the historic Filipino English Channel crossing to the international community at the 22nd Conference of Parties (COP22) United Nations Climate Change Conference in Marrakesh, Morocco in DECEMBER 2016.

Since the swim will be to celebrate international friendship, one of the flags that will be flown in the vessel accompanying the First Filipino Swim Team, will be the flag of Georgia. Furthermore, the Filipino swimmer will be wearing a cross, specially-blessed at the Monastery of St Nino in Kakheti, Georgia.

After the English Channel swim and in the spirit of Philippines-Georgia Friendship, Consul Cunanan and swimmer Macarine will travel to Georgia and conduct a special open-water long-distance swimming seminar and workshop in Batumi for members of the Georgian Swimming Team.