[Palmer Taliño Taray (middle) during the awarding ceremony of Oceanman Philippines]

DAVAO CITY—13-year-old Palmer Taliño Taray, a teenager from Davao City diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), qualified for the prestigious open water swimming competition in Dubai after triumphantly finishing the first ever Oceanman Philippines held in Siargao on 5 April 2025.

Palmer participated in the 2-kilometer course open water swim and was able to finish it within 1 hour and 44 minutes. However, due to the strong water current in the area, it was recorded that he swam around 3.7 kilometers in total, the farthest he had gone during a swimming competition. About 570 other swimmers participated in the event together with Palmer. This achievement coincides with the celebration of the World Autism Month this April which ignites a global movement aimed at understanding, accepting, and empowering people with autism.

As the first ever finisher with ASD, Palmer ranked first in the inspirational category and is set to participate in Oceanman Dubai later this year. Asked how Palmer offcially qualified for this, Coach Kirt Loven Murcia said, “He was the only one with mental health disability who participated in the event in Siargao, and the organizers were so amazed by his dedication. Per my record, he is also the first with that level of ASD to survive such a well-known swimming competition.”

The 13-year-old swimmer with special needs is the youngest son of Mr. Jerry John Taray and Mrs. Jocelyn Taliño Taray who hailed from Davao City. Following his recent achievements such as finishing the Davao-Samal Cross Channel Swim and the first Oceanman Philippines, Mrs. Taray said, “Our family is extremely proud of Palmer’s achievements, and we are very excited to participate in Oceanman Dubai this year! As his mother, I have seen how Palmer strived hard to get here. He learned discipline and was able to develop a healthy daily routine. We are also glad that we’ve finally discovered his potential, this only proves that children with ASD can also excel in different fields with the right support from family and friends.”

Joining the first Oceanman Philippines is a significant milestone for Palmer and his swimming coaches because it was an avenue for them to tell the world that people with autism can exceed their limitations and be achievers in their own fields. The key to this is discovering their talents and unlocking new skills by engaging them in new hobbies and activities.

Palmer only started swimming 2 years ago as a form of therapy aimed at improving his motor skills and sensory abilities. Few months after, he has shown significant progress and interest in swimming. However. the journey was challenging not only for Palmer and his family but also for his coaches because they needed to teach him how to follow instructions by implementing strict routines.

Aquatic training for children with ASD has many positive effects, it improves their motor abilities as well as their social behavior and communication skills. Similarly, it helps with emotion regulation because water naturally gives pressure on the body, which can feel calming, and this sensory feedback can help children with autism feel more grounded and in control of their emotions. Further, swimming can be a way to release built-up energy and tension among children with ASD.

In preparation for the upcoming Oceanman open-water swimming competition in Dubai this year, Palmer is set to join more local swimming competitions and marathons across the country to further gain strength and endurance. He will likewise continue his training four times a week together with Coaches Kirt Loven Murcia and Kevin Palabao.

Oceanman is a globally recognized series of open-water swimming competitions that attract swimmers of all levels—from beginners to elite athletes. Established in 2015, it has grown into one of the largest international open-water swimming circuits, hosting events across five continents and drawing over 40,000 participants annually. Amomg the well-known local personalities who joined the recently held Oceanman Philippines together with Palmer were Erwan Heusaff, Nico Bolzico, and Wil Dasovich.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES