What nearly became a childhood tragedy has turned into an extraordinary sporting journey for 12-year-old Davaoeño swimmer Lucas Timothy Arcena, who will represent the Philippines at the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships in August.
Qualification at National Tryouts
The Stella Maris Academy of Davao student secured a spot on Team Philippines after qualifying at the National Open Water Swimming Tryouts held June 5 to 7 in Boracay Newcoast, Malay, Aklan. The achievement came during his first-ever 3-kilometer open-water race, the longest swim of his young career.
"I didn't expect it," Lucas said. "I was surprised to qualify for the Southeast Asian Championships because it was my first three-kilometer open-water swim. Representing the country at my age means a lot because not many young swimmers get this opportunity. It's much bigger than I ever imagined."
From Near-Drowning to National Team
Years before earning a place on the national team, Lucas nearly drowned in a swimming pool during a family vacation when he was 6 years old. Although the incident could have left him fearful of the water, it had the opposite effect.
His parents later enrolled him and his older brother in summer sports programs to help them build confidence, learn new skills, and stay active. "My parents enrolled us in swimming lessons. After that, we also tried soccer and basketball," Lucas recalled. "My brother chose swimming, so I followed him. We started training competitively two years ago."
Family Support and Values
His mother, Betsy Arcena, said sports became a valuable tool for teaching life lessons beyond winning and losing. "As parents, we wanted our children to live active lifestyles, so we introduced them to different sports before they chose swimming," she said. "We also wanted them to learn values such as discipline, patience, resilience, delayed gratification, and mental toughness."
As Lucas developed his skills in the pool, another opportunity emerged. Veteran Davao swimmer and coach Haroon Cali introduced him to open-water swimming, a discipline that takes athletes out of the controlled environment of a pool and into seas, lakes, and other natural bodies of water.
Challenges of Open Water
Unlike pool races, open-water events require swimmers to navigate waves, currents, and constantly changing conditions. "Open-water swimming is challenging because there are no lane lines to guide you, so you have to learn how to navigate and stay on course," Lucas said. "But it's also fun because you get to see colorful marine life and compete alongside your friends."
His progress in the sport quickly translated into results. Last year, Lucas competed in the 500-meter category of Oceanman Siargao and qualified for the Oceanman World Championships in Dubai. He also won his first gold medal in breaststroke, his specialty event, at the Panabo Aquatics 2025 competition.
Sacrifices and Community Support
Behind those accomplishments, however, were years of commitment and sacrifice from the entire family. "The journey hasn't always been easy," Betsy said. "We had to balance finances, school, training, competitions, and the simple reality that he's still a child. There were early mornings, long days, and many sacrifices along the way."
For the Arcena family, swimming has always been about more than medals. "Swimming teaches our children that it's okay to pause and catch their breath when life gets difficult, but quitting should never be the first option," she said. "Some days are harder than others, but you still show up, do the work, and keep moving forward."
With the Southeast Asian championships approaching, Lucas has intensified his training. "I train every day, and I'll keep doing that," he said. "Coach told me we'll be doing open-water swims in Samal every Sunday to prepare for the competition."
Betsy said her son's success reflects the support of an entire community. "We are incredibly grateful to the HC Mantas family, especially Coach Haroon Cali and Coach Louie Restauro, for guiding, encouraging, and believing in him every step of the way," she said. "Above all, we thank the Lord for this blessing. We believe this opportunity is a gift from Him."
Goals for the Championships
Despite reaching milestones that many young athletes only dream about, Lucas remains focused on simple goals. "My goal is not to finish last," he said with a smile. "Hopefully, I don't get stung by a jellyfish, and I hope to place well. I'm praying."
For Lucas, the water that once nearly took his life now carries him onto the international stage — a journey defined not by fear, but by perseverance, faith, and the courage to keep swimming forward.
