CLARK, PAMPANGA – A total number of 1, 819 participants joined one of the biggest and most modern water theme parks in Asia, Aqua Planet, as it hosted the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL) on Thursday, June 20, 2019. It also aims to attempt to break the current Guinness World Record set by Florida, USA with 1,308 participants last 2014.

WLSL is a global campaign with 49 countries actively participating as a member of the World Waterpark Association (WWA) that helps the global aquatic industry to work together in providing basic swimming skills to children to prevent drowning.

World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that drowning is one of the major public health problems worldwide and third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death.

With the advocacy “Swimming Lessons Save Lives”, Aqua Planet, in partnership with Bert Lozada Swim School (BLSS), is committed to saving lives by spreading awareness and educating people, especially children, on how to be safer in and around water, and that learning proper and basic swimming techniques is not only for competitive sport but it can also save a life from drowning.

During his welcome speech, Dr. Irineo “Bong” Alvaro Jr., President of BB International Leisure and Resort Development, is exalted that a big number of children are willing to learn how to swim.

“This event does not only focus on breaking the Guinness World Record, but most importantly we focus on teaching the community, especially the children, on how to swim in a fun and exciting way,” he said.

Alvaro also emphasized that “learning how to swim can save not only your life, but you can save the life of others as well.”

As a staunch advocate of swimming as an essential survival skill, BLSS headed simultaneous swimming lessons highlighting the five basics of swimming, which includes breathing, floating, paddling or kicking, and proper swimming strokes to the children from Pampanga from elementary students from public schools, children from orphanages, indigenous communities, local government units, to children with special needs.

Filipino actor and swimmer Enchong Dee was also present in the event to give inspiration and to empower the children to swim.

“When I was a kid, I always pay attention to the swimming lessons taught to me because I know, when the need arises, it will all be beneficial to me and in helping others,” he said.

Aside from learning the survival skills on swimming, the children were also given some guidelines and safety reminders on what to do during an earthquake especially if they happened to be inside a water park.

This is the second year Aqua Planet has successfully held the event, exceeding its last year’s record of 1,273 participants, in underlining the importance of international water safety standards, and making it the first and only establishment in the Philippines to participate in this worthy cause.

Also partaking in this endeavor are Bert Lozada Foundation, Pocari Sweat, Salonpas, and The Gaming Beat Charity.

The other 48 countries that took part in the campaign are: Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Benin, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Switzerland, Thailand, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe.

Enjoy upgraded #WatermazingExperience with family, friends, and company at Aqua Planet. Weekend rate at 1180php for adults and 980php for kids (4ft. and below). Weekday rates at 950php for adults and 750php for kids (4ft and below). To learn more, like and follow Aqua Planet on Facebook and Instagram (@aquaplanetph), visit www.aquaplanet.ph, and/or contact 045-499-8277.