Bicolano swimmer Albert Jose “TJ” Amaro II won three medals—gold, silver, and bronze—at the 47th Southeast Asian Age Group Aquatics Championship held in Singapore from June 25 to 27. The 18-year-old represented the Philippines and topped the 50-meter butterfly event, beating strong contenders from across the region.
The gold in the 50-meter fly came as a surprise even to Amaro, who competed against top Southeast Asian swimmers, including his longtime rival and idol from Indonesia.
“Yung 50 fly talaga, nag-expect ako for bronze medal lang. Before the event, I was praying talaga.” Amaro said in an interview. “Hindi ako nag-expect talaga ng gold in that event, ilang beses ko na nakalaban si Donovan from Indonesia, siya yung parang idol ko sa Indonesia kasi siya yung malakas. Hindi ako nag-expect na matatalo ko siya.”
The victory was even more meaningful with his mother, sister, and cousin cheering from the sidelines in Singapore. “It’s not just for me,” he shared. “It’s for my parents as well. My family, my grandma—they’re always there for me. Whenever I need something, they find a way. So this win is also for them.”
Swimming for survival
Amaro’s journey began not with the goal of winning medals but with learning how to stay safe in the water. At four and a half years old, his father enrolled him and his siblings in swimming lessons in for safety, not sport.
“Akala ko resort, may slide! Pero swimming lesson pala,” he recalled. At the time, they lived in Palawan where his father was working. Competitive swimming was not yet in the picture.
It was only in 2022, after clinching a gold medal at the national Batang Pinoy competition, that Amaro began to take swimming seriously. “Doon talaga nag-start yung serious swimming career ko,” he said. “After that, tuluy-tuloy na.”
A Mental Game
While physically prepared, Amaro is open about the challenges he faces mentally, especially before high-stakes competitions.
“Physically, ready ako palagi. Pero ang kalaban talaga is mental,” he said. “Yung doubts, yung overthinking, especially before a big meet—yan talaga yung mahirap i-handle.”
Ahead of the Singapore meet, Amaro had just transferred to a new training setup. Adjusting to a new team, coach, and training schedule added pressure.
“I was doubting myself. Sabi ko, tama ba ‘tong desisyon? Enough ba ‘yung preparation ko?” he admitted. “Pero natutunan ko i-embrace ‘yung kaba. Gamitin siya as fuel, not as fear.”
His daily training reflects his commitment: up at 5 a.m., in the pool by 6, training until 8, resting, then heading back for afternoon sessions at 3:45 p.m.—all while staying disciplined with nutrition, sleep, and mindset.
Naga Roots, National Pride
Though now based in Manila and representing a club in competitions, Amaro proudly carries his hometown with him.
“Ngayon, wala na ako sa DepEd, so sa mga invitational, club na nirepresent ko,” he said. “Pero para sa akin, kahit saan ako pumunta, kahit anong event, Naga pa rin talaga ang dala-dala ko. Yung pagiging Bicolano, Oragon—that’s part of who I am.”
He also credits his mother for supporting his swimming journey during their years in the province.
“Siya talaga ‘yung unang motivation ko. Gigising ng maaga, ihahatid kami sa pool, uuwi, tapos ihahatid ulit kami sa school. Lahat ng sacrifices ng pamilya ko, lagi kong iniisip sa bawat laban.”
Looking Ahead
Amaro has two major goals in 2025: the World Junior Championships in Romania and the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. However, both events fall on the same dates, and decisions have yet to be made.
“Yung Romania talaga, yun yung pinaka-goal ko this year. Kasi under-18 siya, buong mundo ang kalaban. First and last chance ko na ‘yun sa World Juniors,” he explained. “Pero sabay siya sa SEA Games tryouts. So tinatrabaho pa namin kung paano ako makakasali sa Romania delegation.”
Amaro has already represented the country four times internationally, including a bronze finish at last year’s Asian School Games. Winning gold in Singapore marks a turning point in his career.
“Yung mga tumalo sa akin last year, natalo ko na ngayon,” he said proudly. “So kahit ‘yung inspiration ko ngayon is personal goals, hindi mawawala ‘yung pasasalamat ko sa family ko, sa community, at sa lahat ng nananalangin para sa akin.”
Every medal, he says, is a tribute—not just to his hard work, but to the people and place that helped him rise. |Neil Mondragon
Photos by TJ Amaro