Dive deep and discover the marine fantastic thing about Negros Oriental – Manila Bulletin
This yr’s Dive7 Competition places the highlight on the underwater scene of Zamboanguita and Dauin
After we discuss the great thing about the Philippines, distinct vacationer spots come to thoughts. There’s the picturesque Mayon Volcano, the old-world attraction of Intramuros, and, in fact, the crystal seashores of Boracay, Siargao, and Palawan. These websites have made their method to worldwide journey lists, making the nation a real paradise for any wanderer. However do you know that the Philippines can also be a champion in the case of being a diving vacation spot?
Since 2019, the World Journey Awards has hailed the Philippines as the highest spot for diving. A testomony to that is the underwater scene of Central Visayas. To highlight its submerged wonders, the Division of Tourism-Central Visayas (DOT7) held the second version of the Dive7 Competition on the municipalities of Zamboanguita and Dauin in Negros Oriental from July 28 to 31.
For 3 days, individuals of the pageant joined in underwater and coastal clean-ups and mermaid swimming actions. The pageant culminated with a photo competition the place underwater lensmen of all nationalities seize the marine world of the municipalities.
Throughout a visit to Negros Oriental, Manila Bulletin Life-style bought to see the province’s underwater world past the pictures. And consider us after we let you know that it’s a really breathtaking sight that Filipinos and overseas friends shouldn’t miss seeing.
Pre-dive expertise
Silver Reef Dive Resorts at Maayongtubig in Dauin is the place our journey to Negros Oriental’s underwater world began. At its core is eco-tourism with its rooms made from refurbished transport containers, geared up with natural and eco-friendly facilities. The resort additionally provides free coral conservation schooling to its friends. With it being near the seashore, folks can get an idyllic view of Apo Island, the shining jewel of the province’s diving scene, the place that we are going to be exploring quickly.
Attending a briefing about scuba diving is a should for all novice divers. Main ours is Glenn John Carballo, the president of Negros Oriental Dive Affiliation. Through the orientation, we have been capable of know the dos and don’ts whereas diving, find out how to handle physique strain, a rundown on the gears and gear used for diving and find out how to use them, and the fundamental gestures for easy and clear communication whereas underwater. Nerves apart, every little thing is fairly to be taught.
Previous to going to the ocean, we should first apply what we found in a managed surroundings. After donning our masks, regulator, air tank, and fins, we put our abilities to the take a look at by diving in on the resort’s 16 toes pool. It’s crammed with seawater so one can get actual expertise. Every participant is paired with a diving teacher, and as for this author, I’m paired with Kuya Wingel, an area of Negros Oriental. He deserves this shout-out for being so affected person. Make no mistake, it was daunting happening 16 toes with the ringing in your ear and solely primary gestures to speak. However in lower than a minute, while you realized you’re already on the backside, confidence will kick in and shortly sufficient you’re swimming with such grace.
Off to Apo Island
Going from the resort to Apo Island takes about 40 minutes. Whereas on the boat, you get to savor the gorgeous horizon Negros Oriental has to supply. Proper forward is an imposing view of Apo Island with its lush greens and pure rock formations. As soon as we’re in the correct spot for diving, we get a blurry glimpse of the submerged world.
After getting suited to motion, anxiousness kicked in once more after we be taught now we have to leap from the boat to get to the water. With one hand on my regulator and the opposite on the buoyancy compensator, we took one step away from the boat, and instantly the clear sky grew to become a sea of bubbles. Wanting down, we bought our first take a look at the corals. That dive was like our baptism and after we bought up, we have been now not afraid and simply excited to see extra of what was beneath.
Apo Island is a real divers’ haven and is residence to over 400 species of coral and 650 sorts of fish. The 72-hectare volcanic island is a part of the Apo Island Protected Panorama and Seascape (AIPLS), which makes certain that it stays a sanctuary for native marine life. As you dive down, you get to see extra of them, from the well-known Blue Tang and Moorish Idol to the colourful Parrot Fish and Blue Sea Star. Close to the shore is the place you’ll be able to spot big inexperienced sea turtles. Whereas it’s really tempting to go facet by facet with these creatures, we should respect them by not touching them and preserving our distance away from them in order to not disturb them of their pure habitat. Don’t fear, simply being there and witnessing the mild giants from afar is already a one-of-a-kind expertise that may make anybody fall head over heels for Apo Island’s marine magnificence.
Way forward for Dive7 Competition
Earlier than the second Dive7 Competition ended its festivities, DOT7 introduced that its third version in Negros Oriental is about to happen from July 27 to 30, 2023.
“One of many strongest merchandise of the Philippines, being an archipelagic nation, is basically diving. We’re additionally identified to be on the middle of the middle of marine biodiversity on the earth,” mentioned Maria Rica C. Bueno, assistant secretary of tourism regulation, coordination, and useful resource technology. “The DOT will at all times be right here in partnership with the respective native authorities items and our dive communities in pursuing this purpose, particularly at this time limit that our secretary is [putting] her thrust to strengthening the collaboration of the DOT with LGU and tourism province sector and stakeholders, in working hand in hand in selling, creating tourism in our nation. That is just the start.”
Dive7 Competition was made doable with the assistance of the Central Visayas native authorities items and the diving group, and DOT7’s partnership with Sliver Reef Dive Resorts and the Philippine Airways, who’re staunch supporters of enlivening tourism within the nation after years of the pandemic.
To know extra about it, go to Dive7’s official Facebook and Instagram pages.
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