A man who attempted to swim from Cebu City to Bohol to go to his hometown of Carmen in time for All Souls’ and All Saints’ Days was rescued at sea by Bantay Dagat personnel of Talisay City on Sunday morning.

Felix Angco, a member of the Bantay Dagat team, identified the man as Ceferino Angco, 48, a native of Barangay Calatrava, Carmen.

Ceferino was reportedly planning to visit his late parents at the Carmen Cemetery when he attempted to cross waters between Cebu and Bohol.

According to Felix, Ceferino started to swim from behind the Malacañang sa Sugbo at 11 p.m. on Saturday and was found floating in Pungaton Reef off Talisay City at 8 a.m. on Sunday.

“Among gi-pangutana og unsa may deperensya kay atong tabangan, ni-ingon siya ‘sir nga kaysa maghimo ko og dautan, manghilabot ko.’ Unya ignorante man sab kaayo ni siya, di kamao mo-duol og tawo nga mangayog tabang unya way kaila,” said Felix who noted that he had no prior knowledge on whether or not he is related to Ceferino, who he shares the same surname.

“Langoy nalang kono siya panimpad nga og mabuhi kono siya hatagan siya’g [tabang] sa Ginoo. Kung naay makabangal niya, wa siyay laing hangyuon nga maka-uli lang g’yud siya sa Bohol,” he added.

For his part, Talisay City Councilor Jojo Bacaltos told the Chronicle that they are now taking care of Ceferino and are paying for his trip to Bohol, likely through Tubigon.

According to Bacaltos, Ceferino arrived in Cebu in 2011 to work for his cousin.

The arrangement between the two however did not work out and Ceferino started to make a living by collecting garbage, Bacaltos said.

Ceferino then lived in the streets of Talisay City without shelter. (Allen Doydora)