Lucena swimmer and Masbate ace, shine in BP 22

DAVAO CITY---At the Quirino Stadium in Ilocos Sur on Tuesday, swimmer Julian Lowers De Kam of Lucena won his fourth gold medal while Leonelyn Compuesto of Masbate won her third as the Philippine Sports Commission's Batang Pinoy reached the final stretch.

De Kam, 15, won the 400-meter freestyle event in four minutes, 26.03 seconds, beating Evenezir Polancos Jr. of Gen. Santos and Meynard Geoff Marcelino of San Jose Del Monte, who finished in fourth and third, respectively, with times of 4:26.54 and 4:40.01.

De Kam's most recent victory followed victories in the 1,500-meter freestyle, 100-meter butterfly, and 200-meter freestyle, making him the first person to win four gold medals in the pool during the five-day meet, which is the focal point of the nation's grassroots development initiative.

Kristian Yugo Cabana, a member of De Kam's province, was a gold behind, and she was joined by Aubrey Tom of Rizal, Kyla Louise Bulaga of La Union, and Jaella Mendoza of Laguna.

Compuesto outran everyone to win the girls' 400-meter race at 1:00.63 and take home her third gold. 

She had already won gold in the 200-meter run and the 4 x 100 relay, helping Masbate win.

Ma. Emely Balunan from Bohol In 1:02.51 and 1:04.67, respectively, Emely Balunan and Olongapo's Wella Mae Coronado won the silver and bronze.

Compuesto will easily make it to the 100-meter finals on Wednesday, where she is predicted to win her fourth gold.(Romeo Braceros Jr.)

Leonelyn Compuesto of Masbate is poised to win her fourth gold medal in aesthetics on Wednesday.