Ateneo swimming team

wows Bohol radio audience

(Part 1)


Members of the Ateneo de Manila University (UAAP) swimming team recently visited Bohol and made a radio tour in the undisputed TINUOD nga RADYO dyTR AM station. Definitely, the members of the team, left a very good lasting impression on the radio audience of the province.

Led by the Tirol brothers, Rian Marco “Mico” Tirol and Victoriano Martin “Renzo” Tirol IV, the members of the Ateneo team visited Open Forum radio program on May 22, 2024 hosted by the Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Gloria Leodivica Araneta. This program is sponsored by The Bohol Tribune and goes on air everyday, from Monday to Friday, during the 12:00nn to 1:00pm slot

The Boholano Tirol brothers, who led the group in the radio tour, talked about their exploits in SCHOOL and in the POOL: as student learners and student athletes, competing primarily in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Other members of the team, who guested in the radio program, also shared with the Boholano radio audience their experiences as student learners and athletes and like Mico and Renzo, they told the anchorpersons, Gloria and Ardy, how it is to excel in both academics and curricular activities.

“And they all spoke well. They were very articulate. They were all good looking and they knew what they were talking about.” This was how the radio anchorpersons described the Ateneo guests during the interview.

The radio hosts of The Bohol Tribune were able to engage with the members of the FAST Ateneo Swimming Team as the latter took a breather here in Bohol and as they enjoyed the luxury, peace and quiet, and the hospitality of the owners of the plush resort – (the heirs of Drs. Will and Cristeta Tirol) – in one of the long stretches of Panglao Island, called Cristal Haven. It is, indeed, a heaven and paradise in itself.  

The members of the Ateneo Swimming Team who visited the radio station at dyTR upon the invitation of Ardy and Gloria are: Rian Marco Tirol, Renzo Tirol, Annika Isip, Sam Coronl, Maiki Gonzaga, Cello Neri, Char Romanos, Matthew Tau, and Ivo Enot.

The Tirol Boys

Who are the the Tirol Boys? They are very unassuming, humble, and kind. You could not help but give them a 2nd, 3rd, etc. glance, as their looks (a combination of their Dad Ryan and Mom Maricel) can inevitably pressure you to focus your attention on them. 

You could not imagine that they have been representing their school, the Ateneo, and the country in both national and international swimming competitions. You would not believe that, young as they are, they are and have been traveling to a lot of places, in and out of Pinas, for official and personal reasons. And they are always on the top list in the roll of honors in their class.

Rian Marco “Mico” Adiong Tirol 

Presently, Mico is taking up Master in Business Administration at the Ateneo de Manila University for SY 2023-24. 

He graduated AB Political Science on June 2023 also at the Ateneo de Manila University enjoying a University scholarship in SY 2019-2023. 

As he took up Political Science in the same school, he was ranked Second Honors in the 2nd semester of SY 2022-2023 and in the 1st Semester of SY 2021-2022.

He finished Junior High School in SY 2017-2018 as 3rd Honors at the University of Bohol VDT-ALC while his Elementary Years were also spent in the same school where he graduated in SY 2013-2014, 4th Honors.

Let us have a glimpse of his feat as an athlete:

  • Philippine Record Holder, Juniors  50m Breast stroke
  • Record Holder- UAAP Juniors – 50m, 100m & 200m Breast stroke (University Athletic Association of the Philippines)
  • Record Holder- UAAP Seniors – 50m Breast stroke (University Athletic Association of the Philippines)
  • Multiple GOLD Medalist, 50m, 100m, 200m Breast stroke, 50m butterfly. UAAP Seasons 81-86
  • Team Captain, Ateneo de Manila University Swimming Team, SY 2022-2023, Season 85 UAAP Champion (7th PEAT)
  • Team Captain, Ateneo de Manila Swimming Team, SY 2023-2024, Season 86 UAAP Champion (8th Peat)
  • SILVER – 50m Breast Stroke- 43rd South East Asian Games (SEA) Age Group Swimming Championship, Cambodia
  • Top 5(4th & 5th- 100m & 200m breast stroke) – 43rd South East Asian Games (SEA) Age group Swimming Championship.
  • 10th Place out of 24 swimmers. 30th SEA (South East Asian Games). Take note that Mico was the youngest & the only student athlete in swimming representing the Philippines during the competition.
  • Finalist (6th, 50m breast; 7th 100m breast; 7th 200m breast) 11th AAG (Asian Age Group) 2024, Clark Philippines. This was participated in by 33 Asian Countries
  • Top 5 (50m, 100m & 200m breast stroke) 1
    10th ASEAN School Games 2018, Malaysia
  • 7 time Palarong Pambansa Athlete (2013-2019)
  • Palarong Pambansa Record Holder- 50m & 100m breast stroke, established, Palaro 2019
  • Palarong  Pambansa Multiple Medalist (GOLD,SILVER,BRONZE), 2013-2019
  • 7 time CVIRAA Athlete (2013-2017)
  • Multiple Gold Medalist (50m breast, 100m breast, 200m breast, 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 200m Individual Medley- CVIRAA (2013-2017)
  • 2 time NCRAA Athlete (2018-2019)
  • Multiple Gold Medalist (50m, 100m, 200m breast, 50m butterfly) NCRAA (2018-2019)
  • 4 Time Batang Pinoy National Athlete (2013-2016)
  • 2013 Batang Pinoy Most Outstanding Swimmer & Record Holder 50m Breast (12 yrs-under & 13-15 yrs. Old)
  • Multiple Medalist (Gold, Silver), Batang Pinoy National Championships  2013-2016
  • 3 Time Milo Little Olympics Athlete (2013-2015)
  • Multiple Medalist (Gold,Silver,Bronze), Milo National Championships,2013-2015
  • 2014 President Carlos P. Garcia Awardee for excellence in sports (Swimming)
  • 2017 Tagbilaran City Govt. Awardee for Excellence in Sports (Swimming)
  • 2018 Ateneo de Manila University Excellence in Sports Awardee
  • 2017 University of Bohol Athlete of the year & Excellence is Sports Awardee
  • 2016-2017 UB Rockets Team Captain.

And the list goes on!

(To be continued)