Maria Katrina Paras

Rain Dagala Swimming Mental Health Journey

Article (news)

<p>Some people love swimming as a hobby. It&#x27;s something we do as a leisurely activity when on vacation, and it&#x27;s definitely something that&#x27;s considered fun. But for some people, swimming is considered an ally, an outlet, a means to help one&#x27;s mental health way beyond physical benefits. It also goes without saying—swimming is a skill that not everyone has. It can prove nerve-wracking to some, especially when done in the ocean, but in celebrity stylist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rainierdagala" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Rain Dagala</strong></a>&#x27;s case, it was the very key to overcoming mental and physical health challenges. </p><p>Recently, the stylist to the stars (he dresses the likes of Bianca Gonzalez, Kaila Estrada, Sam Concepcion, to name a few) had a health scare that quickly alarmed him, and made him commit to change his ways. &quot;If this turns out not to be what they think it is, I’m going to change my life and make better choices. When the results came out and the worst was ruled out, I knew I had been given another chance&quot;, Rain shares about his stint at the hospital.                  </p><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761123540598Rain Dagala.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">@rainierdagala</span></span></span></strong></div><p>And because of the &quot;second chance&quot; he is now living, Rain recently joined a swim meet in Caramoan, Camarines Sur. A feat that not everyone gets to conquer. Read on to find out how the once &#x27;too busy to be bothered&#x27; creative turned his life around, one swim stroke at a time. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Metro.Style: Can you tell us about your background in swimming? How did this passion begin?                        </strong></div><p><strong>Rain Dagala: </strong>When I was a kid, we used to spend our April summers at our beachfront property in Poro Point, La Union. I was only two years old when my dad and I were carried away by the current while swimming—me on a floatie ring, and him with nothing to hold on to. He almost panicked, and after we were rescued, my parents agreed it was time to enroll me in formal swimming lessons—just to be prepared if something like that ever happened again.                        </p><p>They signed me up at a swim school inside Greenhills Village when I was three, and that’s where it all began. By the time I was four, I was swimming regularly, soon joining competitions, and later, swimming became part of our P.E. curriculum. Every summer, I would take formal lessons at Milo Clinics, and I kept competing throughout grade school. Basically, I swam my entire elementary life until I was about 12, around 1997.                        </p><p>Then life happened. Work took over, and I stopped swimming as often as I used to. But it’s one of those skills that never really leaves you—it stays in your body, like muscle memory. I found a small window to swim again in 2022, but my busy schedule got in the way.                        </p><p>After a health scare early this year, I made it my goal to go back. So in July 2025, I formally enrolled myself at a swim school called <strong>Swim Central</strong> and humbly committed to every training and drill my coach asked me to do. Since then, I’ve been training regularly—and it feels like coming home to something I’ve always loved.       </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLruXKjTS93/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A21610500%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1071" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong></strong><strong>Metro.Style: What challenges did you encounter in your journey with swimming?                        </strong></div><p><strong>Rain Dagala: </strong>There were two main challenges. The first was finding the time. My schedule as a fashion stylist is unpredictable, and with the <strong>#TeamRAINXEM</strong> business continuously growing, it’s hard to commit to anything consistent. So whenever I get even an hour and a half to train, I take it—no excuses.                        </p><p>The second was getting back into swimming after an almost tragic health scare caused by overfatigue. That experience really shook me. This time, I didn’t return to the pool for vanity or weight loss. I did it to rebuild myself—to regain the strength I once had and to truly feel good again, inside and out. More than anything, I wanted to live healthier and move through life with a clearer, stronger mindset.                      </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761123796078Rain Dagala 1.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">Held in the stunning waters of Caramoan, Camarines Sur, the Swim Junkie Philippines event took place last October 12, 2025. This open water challenge brought together passionate swimmers for an unforgettable race amid the breathtaking limestone cliffs and crystal-clear seas of Bicol. I joined the 2KM Swim Category, where all participants were classified according to age group and gender—others competed in the 5KM, 10KM, and 15KM distances.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Metro.Style: Tell us how you got your drive back.</strong></div><p><strong>Rain Dagala: </strong>Exactly a year ago, in October 2024, I asked my business partner, Em Millan, for a short break from work. I was completely drained—physically, mentally, emotionally. So I booked a solo trip to Boracay, hoping a little beach therapy could quiet the noise in my head. I remember sitting by the pool, feeling lost and disconnected from myself. I even posted an IG Story of the hotel pool with the caption, “I wish I could go back (swimming).” It felt like a fleeting thought then, but looking back now, it was almost prophetic.</p><p>Then life went back to its usual chaos. Work took over again—until a health scare hit me at the end of May 2025, just a month after my 40th birthday. It was the first time I had ever felt truly weak—so weak that even walking to the bathroom was a struggle. The doctors couldn’t find what was wrong for weeks, and when they finally did, I couldn’t accept the results. It was almost tragic.     </p><div>               </div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761124398011Rain Dagala 2.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">The race kit came with a name tag and an orange swim cap, marking those in the 2KM category. All it took was this band to make it real—no backing out now.</span></span></span></div><p>In that moment, I made myself a quiet promise: “If this turns out not to be what they think it is, I’m going to change my life and make better choices.”  When the results came out and the worst was ruled out, I knew I had been given another chance.                        </p><p>That wake-up call shook something deep within me. I realized that healing isn’t just about getting better—it’s about coming home to yourself. I’ve always had a deep connection with the water; it’s where I’ve always found calm, clarity, and a sense of control. So when it was time to rebuild, I knew exactly where to start.</p><p>I reached out to my coach, <strong>JM Delcano</strong> of <strong>Swim Central</strong>, and decided to go all in. I humbled myself back into training with him and <strong>Coach Siera Tebia</strong>—doing every drill, every lap, every breath as if I were learning for the first time. The water became my quiet place, my therapy, my reminder that strength isn’t about being unbreakable—it’s about finding yourself again. Each stroke brought me closer to the version of me I had somehow forgotten—the one who found joy, calm, and purpose in doing what he’s always loved. In the water, I didn’t just rebuild my strength; I found my happiness again.   </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761124585690Rain Dagala 3.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">Post-warm-up energy at its peak! One final cheer before we hit the water—nervous but pumped! Despite the high waves, everyone powered through. 2KM swimmers at gunstart, 7AM sharp! </span></span></span></div><div><strong><br/></strong><strong>Metro.Style: Run us through the latest swim meet you joined. How did you get into it? What challenges did you face? How did you feel once it was done?                        </strong></div><p><strong>Rain Dagala: </strong>By the second month of my training, when everything seemed to be falling into place, my coach, Siera, jokingly suggested that I join an open-water swim competition called <strong>Swim Junkie</strong>, to be held in <strong>Caramoan, Camarines Sur</strong>. At first, I laughed it off. I didn’t think I was ready to take what I was doing to the next level. But as time passed and both my coaches kept encouraging me, I eventually said yes. I logged onto the site, signed up for the 2KM category, and booked my flights—honestly, quite mindlessly—without fully grasping the gravity of what I had just committed to.            </p><p>As the competition drew closer, my coaches intensified my training and encouraged me to join the larger Swim Central Community, where advanced sessions were held in an Olympic-sized pool. I still remember my first day there—Coach JM told me to warm up with 300 meters of freestyle. I looked at him with doubt and hesitation, and he simply said, “Go <em>ka na</em>!” So I did. That’s also where I met <strong>Coach Mark Santiago</strong>, the owner of Swim Central, who helped me refine my technique even further.               </p><div>      </div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761124784471Rain Dagala 4.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">First selfie after crossing the finish line—so proud, so happy, so worth it! This was the 2KM course—I had to memorize every turn! No shortcuts, no penalties, just pure focus.</span></span></span></div><p>Training became more demanding—not just in terms of skill, but also in logistics. I found myself waking up at 6:30 a.m. to make it to 8 a.m. sessions, and later, setting my alarm for 3:00 a.m. to catch sunrise training in Anilao, Batangas, only to travel back in time for a 5:00 p.m. shoot call time at ABS-CBN. Oddly enough, the harder it got, the more fulfilling it became. There was something deeply satisfying about the discipline, the exhaustion, and the quiet victories. Slowly, I began to see and feel the results—my body getting stronger, my strokes smoother, and my confidence quietly growing with every lap.                        </p><p>Every minute of that training paid off on competition day. I came prepared—my luggage packed with everything I might need. Mentally, I was just as ready: I slept and woke up early, practiced breathing exercises, listened to calming music, and prayed. I even slathered on layers of sunblock for protection. When the race began, I swam steadily and finished the 2KM course smoothly. As I lifted my head from the water and made my way to the finish line—drums playing, my coaches cheering—I knew deep down that I had done well. A tear fell from my eye the moment I touched the shore. Thankfully, I was wearing goggles.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761125017589Rain Dagala 5.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">With the best coaches anyone could ask for—Sierra and JM of Swim Central! Trained me hard, pushed me further, and finished strong themselves! (Right) This is Coach Mark of Swim Central—the one who fine-tuned my form and helped me swim with more confidence.</span></span></span></div><p><strong>I </strong><strong>placed</strong><strong> 4th </strong>in my age bracket (40–49), clocking in at <strong>1:03:11</strong>—just shy of a podium finish. But honestly, I already felt like a winner that day. The joy I felt was something I can’t quite explain—pure, quiet, and deeply personal. I went home with renewed spirits, grateful for what my body and heart were capable of.    </p><p>And maybe that’s what this whole journey was really about—coming full circle, finding joy in the things that once made me feel alive. If life gives me the chance, I’d do it all over again. Maybe next time, I’ll go for the 5KM—not to prove anything, but simply because it makes me happy.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Metro.Style: What is your advice for someone struggling to exercise or find a sport to join?</strong></div><p><strong>Rain Dagala:</strong> I’ve learned that you have to find something—whether it’s a sport, a craft, or a calling—that feels true to who you are. Don’t chase what’s popular; instead, listen to what your body and heart naturally respond to, and tune out the noise. For me, that was swimming—something I loved as a kid but lost somewhere along the way. When I finally found my way back to it, everything started to align—physically, mentally, and even emotionally.                        </p><p>The magic isn’t in being the best; it’s in showing up, giving your all, and allowing yourself to grow through the process. Swimming reminded me of that. When you train with heart, you realize that discipline and joy can coexist. That’s the mindset I carry into everything now— because whatever you choose to do, do it wholeheartedly. Do it for you, always.                        </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761125451447Rain Dagala 6.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">Finished strong at 1:03:11, placing 4th in my category — almost there! For a first try, I’m proud. Next time, we go for that podium. Swim Junkies and the incredible Swim Central crew! So inspired by these colleagues and new friends to push forward and go for it!</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Metro.Style: What is the best lesson swimming has taught you?</strong></div><p><strong>Rain Dagala:</strong> Two things. Technically, swimming reminded me of the importance of proper training. I’ve always believed that knowledge is power—and when you train with intention, that power grows. The more you learn, the more confident you become, and that confidence fuels your natural strength. You can’t fake progress in the water—it rewards only those who show up with consistency, discipline, and heart. For that, I’m deeply grateful to my coaches and the community that constantly pushes and inspires me to be better.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761125670169Rain Dagala 7.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><span class="fr-inner">&quot;In the water, I rediscovered not just strength, but the joy of doing something I’ve always loved.&quot;</span></span></span></div><p>In life, swimming taught me how to begin again. Healing doesn’t come from being still—it comes from moving, one stroke, one breath at a time. In the water, I rediscovered not just strength, but the joy of doing something I’ve always loved. Growth, I realized, is quiet and deeply personal. The water humbles you—it teaches you to surrender, to trust your breath, and to keep going no matter how tired you are. In that rhythm, I found peace, clarity, and a stronger sense of who I am.</p>

<p>"The water humbles you—it teaches you to surrender, to trust your breath, and to keep going no matter how tired you are."</p>

"The water humbles you—it teaches you to surrender, to trust your breath, and to keep going no matter how tired you are."

Celebrity Stylist Rain Dagala On How Swimming Keeps Him Physically and Mentally Strong

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Celebrity Stylist Rain Dagala On How Swimming Keeps Him Physically and Mentally Strong

Kate Paras-Santiago

Published Oct 22, 2025 06:00 PM PHT

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Updated Oct 22, 2025 06:16 PM PHT

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