KYLE BAGUSTO:

From a Typhoon Ondoy Survivor, now a Swimming Icon

By: Gilbert Paulo Ramos

Kyle Enrico Bagusto was barely 10-year-old when he faced the toughest challenge of his
swimming career.
In 2009, the 18-year-old tanker pride of Marikina outlasted and subdued the devastating
Typhoon Ondoy, staying on their roof for almost 15 hours with his unprepared family to stay
away from any harm it might bring to them. Swirling flood and unstoppable heavy rain didn’t
allow them to go to safer and higher area immediately, prompting them to go up to their roofs.
Bagusto shared that Ondoy overwhelmed not just them but also their neighbours due to
sudden and rapid elevation of water level. Seemingly 24 meter level flood never happened
before to them and never expected it as worst as it is. Aftermath, it brought massive damage to
their household and almost all their things have filled with mud.
Since then, his parents encouraged him to pursue swimming lessons in order for him to
save his own life if ever same disaster happens again but young Bagusto was not interested in
the said sports. Overtimes, he found it astonishing and eventually became passionate of aquatic
activities that propel him to try swimming and get attached to it until he became varsity in his
junior high school year in Academy of the God’s Children (AGC).
Who would have thought, Typhoon Ondoy survivor is now a swimming champion.

REAPING FRUIT OF HARDWORK

Unsurmountable tasks it may seem for a grade-12 student, Bagusto, who despite plenty
of odds, still managed to truimphantly bagged two elusive gold medals in 50 and 100m breast
stroke and emerged as top swimmer in the pool headed by roughly 450 determined swimmer
from across the country in the Samahang Manlalangoy ng Pilipinas (SMP) Swimming Invitational
Meet, on August 5, held in Malate, Manila.
And he is not done yet and probably not ready to sing his swan song yet.
Hailed as Marikina’s most bemedalled athlete last year, Bagusto continued to make legacy as he
asserted stellar performance anew in Cebu, capping his mesmerizing campaign as fourth overall
amongst the best of the best aspiring athletes in the Philippines during the Philippine National
Games – an exceptional feat that certainly be remembered when time flies.
National Christian Life College pride Bagusto paved his way to reach the zenith of his
swimming career so far and for him it was quite satisfying than usual as he converted minor
setbacks into a major comebacks to fulfill his promise he himself made after losing the chance
of competing in the Philippines’ best sporting event for aspiring student athletes – Palarong
Pambansa. Last year, he amassed a total of 10 medals during Marikina Invitational Swimming
Meet joined by City’s finest swimmers.

GLIMPSE OF HOPE
Despite going home empty-handed after his last bid for the grandest sportsfest spot,
two-time National Capital Region (NCR) Palaro qualifier remains optimistic and eager like never
before and set his goal on his next race than ruing last year’s campaign – when he fell short of
securing berth.
He wasn’t able to compete for this year’s Regional tilt due to age issues. But in spite of
that, his successful attempt in his recent games shed lights of hope. He keeps his eye straight to
ultimate prize – college scholarship and hopefully don three star and a sun flag once more in
internationals meets. 2015 when he first represent the Philippines in the prestigious Hong Kong
Swimming Invitational.
He also wanted to end his high school swimming journey on a high note as he eyes for
another impressive podium finish and to defend his crown on Saturday in Marikina Invitational
Swimming Meet.

LEGACY REMAINS
True heart of a champion never dies until the last race.
After two years of prolific journey, he already etched his name in NCLC’s history book as
the first Blue Dolphin who bagged numerous achievements in swimming in a single year. Last
year, the school awarded him as Rookie of the Year after an impressive debut and Athlete of
the Year distinction. A legacy that no one have done yet.
He may leave soon but always be part of NCLC Blue Dolphin team.