Negros Oriental Gov. Roel R. Degamo hailed teen swimming phenom Kacie Gabrielle Tionko as the province’s newest sporting sensation following her outstanding performances in the National Junior Swimming Championships, including the Batang Pinoy last December in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
The 14-year-old pride of Dumaguete City and YINGFA Brand Ambassador, was adjudged as the Batang Pinoy’s Most Outstanding Athlete, winning five gold medals in the 50m freestyle (28.45), 100m free (1:02.50), 200m free (2:17.20), 400m free (4:51.77) and 100m breast (1:20.39).
Tionko also dominated tournaments like the Swimming League Philippines Mindanao and the FINIS Swim Series.
Her exploits prompted Gov. Degamo to closely coordinate with local organizer Darren Evangelista, who recently launched a nationwide swimming competition with four events in Mindanao dubbed ‘Manlalangoy ng Pilipinas’.