Manila, Aug. 22 -- Bella Aaliya Pano led a 1-2-3 Philippine finish in the girls' 16-17-year-old 3K festival event of the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships in Boracay Island, Aklan on Saturday.

Pano submitted a gold-medal time of 40 minutes and 11.49 seconds, followed by Dominique Gabrielle Lepaco (50:25.27) and Samantha Dainyhel Jamelarin (50:30.06).

Sharing the spotlight was the oldest participant in the 3K men's festival event, 85-year-old Vernan Certeza of Jaro, Iloilo, who needed just under 90 minutes to complete the event.

In mixed relay, the Philippines wound up fourth in two six-kilometer categories both ruled by Vietnam.

Under fair conditions at the 1.5km course overlooking the Boracay Newcoast, the Vietn...