By Rusieljs G. Lunasco

Dan Gerona, a 1978 graduate of the BS Agriculture program, will attempt to swim across the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait on February 5, 2020 for the benefit of the Work Students of CPU. The distance from Fort San Pedro to Jordan, Guimaras is about 3.6 kilometers.

“This is the first year that we are doing this and we hope to do it annually,” Gerona said. “We have talked to government officials in Iloilo and Guimaras and they have been very supportive of this endeavor,” he added.

from left to right: Mr. Dan Gerona, Acting Registrar Ms. Charissa June Deocampo, Facilities Maintenance and Services Supervisor Engr. Rhett Allan Baldonado, Doctor of Management Student Mr. Xu Bin and Office of Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil Jalandoo-on.

Proceeds of the “Swim for a Cause” will be given to the God’s Grace Program of the University Church which will help give free meals and housing to struggling work students.

“I was a working student myself, so I know the hardships that they are going through,” said Gerona in an interview with Office of Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil Jalando-on. “Aside from raising funds for the work students, I also want to promote swimming as a life skill,” he added. Gerona is also an inventor of a Floater Paddle which is being used by swimming schools across the USA. You can visit https://floaterpaddle.com/ for more information.

Gerona (fifth from left) with other participants for the upcoming Centralian Swim for Life during their practice.

“Swim for a Cause” is spearheaded by Gerona and the CPU College of Agriculture Alumni Association and will be the first event of the Grand Alumni Homecoming on February 5, 7 am at the Fort San Pedro. As of now, those who confirmed to join him are a gym instructor, a scuba diver, a retired seaman, a swim coach, a teacher in a maritime school, and a doctoral student of CPU.

The event is open to the public and Gerona is encouraging those who are physically able and trained to join him.

For more information kindly contact the CPU College of Agriculture Alumni Association, Mr. Dan Gerona (09219990383) and Mr. Reynaldo Dusaran (09195938897)