PH Consulate in San Francisco Honors Swimming Champ Clark Kent Apuada

SAN FRANCISCO 11 September 2018 — The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco headed by Consul General Henry S. Bensurto, Jr.  led the Filipino-American community in Salinas in honoring 10-year old swimming champion Clark Kent Apuada in a ceremony held on 19 August 2018 at the Filipino Community Center in Salinas.

Fifth grader Clark smashed Olympic legend Michael Phelps’ 23-year Far Western International Championship meet record during a competition held on 29 July 2018 in Moraga, California, and won gold in all seven swimming events at the competition.

The recognition ceremony for swimming champion was attended by Consulate General officers and staff, Salinas Mayor Joe Gunter, Monterey County Board of Supervisors, Filipino community leaders in Salinas Valley and in Monterey, church leaders, Fil-Am teachers and students, and swimming aficionados.

During the event, Clark Kent was introduced to the community by his school teacher Gabby Gavazan and his swim coach Dia Rianda. A video presentation of the Filipino-American swimmer achievements as an outstanding student, champion swimmer, a consistent record holder, and a martial arts student (red belt) was shown. He is a music lover who likes to dance and sing, play the piano and perform leading roles in school plays.

Individual recognition awards/certificates were presented to Clark by the Office of California Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, three district representatives of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, and by Salinas Mayor Joe Gunter.

Consul General Bensurto also presented a certificate of appreciation to Clark Kent for his achievements in the field of swimming, for breaking Pacific swimming records in his age division, for exemplifying hard work and endurance, and for inspiring the Filipino-American community in the United States.

Consul General Bensurto conveyed the Secretary of Foreign Affairs greetings and congratulations to Clark and his family, as well as those of the Consulate’s officers and staff. He noted the great honor he had brought not only to his family and the Salinas community, but also to the 1.3 million Filipinos and Fil-Ams in the U.S. and Filipinos around the world.

The Consul General mentioned to Clark that his great achievements will become a source of inspiration to his fellow Filipinos, and shining example of someone who has dared to dream big, worked hard to achieve it. The Filipino-American swimmer was advised that the entire Filipino nation including the Filipinos abroad will be cheering for him, wherever he competes to always remember that he does not only compete for himself but for the country. END

For more information, visit www.sanfranciscopcg.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippinessanfrancisco.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSF/