Ilongga Businesswoman Becomes First to Cross Iloilo-Negros Sea on Paddleboard
PADDLEBOARD – Bacolod businesswoman Lucy Lynette Ponce Uygongco has made history by becoming the first person to successfully cross the sea between Iloilo and Negros Occidental on a paddleboard.
Lucy Lynette Ponce Uygongco, a 54-year-old businesswoman and social media influencer, has made history as the first person to cross the sea between Iloilo and Negros Occidental on a paddleboard. On October 19, Uygongco paddled 23.02 kilometers in 5 hours, 27 minutes, and 6 seconds, maintaining a speed of 4.2 km/h. She embarked on her journey from Banate Boulevard in northern Iloilo at 3:23 a.m. and reached the Pasil Sandbar in Barangay Latasan, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental at 8:50 a.m.
Uygongco, who hails from Bacolod City and manages fast food franchises in Bacolod and Iloilo, is known for her social media presence under the profile names “LpuKids Ibike” and “Ipaddle.” She described the water conditions during her crossing as “perfect” and “as flat as the Iloilo River.”
Based on a report from Inquirer, her crossing came after a restless night, having slept only three hours due to excitement. Uygongco chose October 19 for her historic feat, just days before Typhoon “Siony” was forecasted to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility between October 23 and 29. Despite the looming storm, she successfully completed the challenge.
Uygongco’s Iloilo-Negros crossing is her latest achievement, following her successful paddling across the Iloilo-Guimaras route in 2022. On May 26, 2022, she became the first woman to cross from Iloilo City’s Villa Beach to Barangay Morubuan in Jordan, Guimaras, covering 7.38 kilometers in 1 hour, 31 minutes, and 3 seconds. She repeated the feat on June 10, 2022, clocking in at 2 hours and 2 seconds.
Uygongco credits her SUP coach, Gary Neil Benedicto, for guiding her through her crossings. After a one-and-a-half-year break, they reunited on October 12, 2023, to prepare for the Iloilo-Negros adventure. The accomplishment reflects Uygongco’s passion for paddleboarding and her dedication to achieving personal milestones, inspiring others to take on challenges beyond their comfort zones.
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