Kids Awareness Activities: 24th International Coastal Cleanup

Its not only the adults who had fun during the recently held 24th International Coastal Cleanup at Mayumi Dive Resort in Anilao Batangas.

The integrated kids activity during the annual coastal cleanup, as uniquely planned and conceptualized by the Philippine Reefs Management Corporation (PRMC), is an avenue wherein the children experienced how to learn and understand the effects of irresponsible ways of disposing garbage – most specially plastics – affects our environment.

Through the guidance of James Omac, an SSI Dive Instructor, and Liza Tang, Mares Dive Equipment distributor, partnered with PRMC in this activity. Children enjoyed the interaction from the classroom-styled setting where they were briefed and given instructions to the immersion in the beachfront of Mayumi Dive Resort.

Along with their parents, they all had a wonderful time in the day’s childrens activities. The children learned valuable lesson on how to take care of the environment at their early age. Until the next kids’ awareness program of PRMC, everyone had a wonderful time.

Our Ocean, Our Responsibility: 24th International Coastal Cleanup

Last September 19, 2009 through the efforts done by the Philippine Reefs Management Corporation (PRMC), an entity formed that to focus on the conservation and rehabilitation projects for the philippine coral reefs nationwide, organized this year’s coastal cleanup and was held in Mayumi Dive Resort in Anilao Batangas.

Together with hundreds of volunteers and supporters, they focused on cleaning up the coastal area in the surrounding shores and dive sites of Anilao. The event was very well represented through the support of: the Office of Governor of Batangas through its representative Fr. Levi; Vice-Governor Marc Leviste who gave a meaningful appreciation to all the participants; Anilao Mayor Nilo Villanueva who gave updates on environmental programs for Anilao; Ms. Cristy Ramos, daughter of former Phil. President Fidel V. Ramos, who joined divers to pick up trashes around the dive sites in Anilao; the representatives of Philippine Coast Guard’s 128th squadron group; Merck, Inc. who provided the analysis of the trashes collected; Mares Dive Equipment, who provided our guest’s gear for diving; and the hundreds of volunteers and guests who trooped that weekend in Batangas to give their helping hand.

As what Vice-Governor Marc Leviste informed the hundred of volunteers, guests, and media present during the event, it is every filipino’s responsibility to make sure that protecting and conserving the environment as one of our priority as we live our day-to-day lives. He also acknowledged the efforts done by the PRMC in spearheading the conservation programs of his province, and he truly appreciate the efforts the company started. He is looking forward to work with them again soon in much exciting endeavors.

Ms. Tish Aligada, the representative of Merck, tasked to collect and assess the garbage during the event, noticed the significant drop on the volume of the trash collected in the area. The total garbage collected totaled 53 kilograms from previous years’ average of 300 kilograms. Albeit the garbage problem is there, the significant drop would only mean that the community is aware today on properly disposing their trash. Ms. Aligada added, the common trash collected have more plastics and rubbers like small shampoo sachets, sachets of toiletries, and rubber slippers.

Manila Aqua-Marine Aquatic Resources Exposition (MAMARE) 2009, Aug. 20-23, 2009.

The World Trade Center, Pasay City, August 23, 2009 – Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos addressed the crowd at the Manila Aqua-Marine and Aquatic Resources Exposition (MAMARE) 2009 during the closing day festivities.

The four-day event focused and exhibited different government agencies spearheaded by the Philippine Coast Guard, SEAFDEC, DOST, and private enterprises such as Garmin GPS, Mares Dive Equipment, Mayumi Dive Resort, Seafood Island Restaurant, and others. Fidel V. Ramos gave a commanding speech on how each citizen should be aware and responsible for our environment, the collective and conscious ness of responsibly taking care of our coastal and marine resources.

He also acknowledged the efforts of the diver volunteers spearheaded by Ms. Myke Brazil-Legaspi of Philippine Reefs Management Corp. as they represent reef management project for Pola Mindoro. The MAMARE09 event also coincided the launch of the Philippine Reefs Management Corporation website (www.philippinereefs.info) to showcase all plan projects that these young enterprising advocates of reef rehabilitation and conservation.

Philippine Reef Management Corp. is composed of Myke Brazil-Legaspi, Yuvu Nepomuceno, Bong Legaspi, Louie Bernardo and Jun Reynales. As an intrepid personalities joined to promote and advocate the Philippine Reefs conservation and rehabilitation efforts, they are joined with volunteer scubadivers, marine biologists, corporate partners in pursuit of this worthwhile ideals.

Divers Night Party, July 29, 2009.

August 1, 2009, 12:58am, At HomeOffice, Taguig City -- The Second Divers Night Party recently held last July 29, 2009 at the Seafood Island Restaurant in Market! Market! Bonifacio Global City, Taguig was an astounding success. At the helm of this series of parties are partners Myke Brazil-Legaspi (C@SES Events) and Jun Reynales (INUIT Events Management & Production), for the benefit of Pola Mindoro’s Reef Rehabilitation Project thru the intrepid efforts spearheaded by their town mayor, Hon. Alex Aranas, and a local Poloano and dive professional Norman Garcia. More recreational divers and dive professionals from the PADI, SSI and NAUI came and joined the festivities.

There were also a lot of non-divers and supporters for the advocacy of the project who came and joined. The crowd started to come in around 8pm as old and new friends joined in for the night of fun, music and celebration.

The guest person for the party was Ms. Christy Ramos, spokesperson for the Manila Aqua Marine and Aquatic Resources Exposition 2009 (MAMARE 09),

and was thanking the organizers of the party for their contribution in helping promote good environmental programs for Pola Mindoro, and other coastal marine conservation efforts. Ms. Ramos, a scubadiver herself like her father, former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, who also is an avid scubadiver, emphasized the importance of the efforts that the organizers are doing in

helping save and bring back to life the coral reefs. She also invited all the divers and lovers of the seas to come and visit the MAMARE 09 this coming August 20-23, 2009 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Incidentally, the beneficiary of this exhibition would also be Pola Mindoro.

The supporters and sponsors for this party are: Joel Sarmenta (Seafood Island Restaurant), Alex & Nathan Floro, Tom Pohang, Yuvu Nepomuceno (300Bar & Halcyon Dive Equipments), Christopher Shiver & Rochelle Mauri-Lloren (7107 Island Cruise), Liza Tang (MARES Dive Equipment), Mario Elumba (Adventure One Scuba), Yvette Lee & Jet Esposo (Anilao Outrigger Dive

Resort), Rico Calleja & Bino Sanez (Fun Dive Asia), Yuvu Nepomuceno (GARMIN GPS, Renewed Clinic), Mary Grace Perez (Marco Vincent Dive Resort), Chut Salvador (Jagermeister), George Nakano & Anna Nabong (Pacific Blue Dive Resort), Carlos Leobrera & Myla Datinguinoo (Vistamar Beach & Dive Resort), Elvie Sanchez-Quiazon (Vivere Azure Dive Resort), Norman Garcia (ScubaOne), Hil Alday Barcarse (Hildebrand Ent.

& Schutzen), Norman Campoy (Mayumi Dive Resort). The media partners of this event was supported by Charlot Viray & Mark Lim (BusinessMirror), Carlo Abalos (Philippine Graphic Magazine), Rojan Mercader (Yehey.com, PinoyHenyo.com & Stir.ph), and Cris Cayanan (PhilStar.com).

Others who came and partied are Wilson Altarejos (MAMARE 09), Desiree Segovia (MAMARE 09), Christopher Shiver (7107 Island Cruise), Jessica Wong (ReefCheck Philippines), Neil Castaño, Jay Peña, Leo Sabangan II, Tholits Legaspi, Rian Aceron and Reggie Raza as volunteers of the event.

Indeed, Life is Good!

Chains on Terrains, May 30, 2009

May 30, 2009, Cul-de-Sac, Westgate Arcade, Alabang - It has been more than five years since I last heard from Arnold Abenoja, an old mountainbiker friend from the Mtb Addicts group, and I was surprised hearing from him the other day. First time we worked in an activity together was the first Chains on Terrains in 2003. That was a long time ago! Fast forward, now he called me and wanted me to assist in this 2009 Chains on Terrains as its host. I readily obliged and wouldn't want to pass the opportunity to see old familiar faces in the mountainbiking community. It's about time I pay them a visit!

5am, I was already up and about, readied my camera, my baseball cap, my jacket,

and my shades, the clothes that I'm planning to wear for the day. I knew that it'll be a long day. Got out of the house by 5:45am, head towards SLEX to get on the bus to go to Westgate in Alabang. I got in the venue by 6:15am and easily noticed that it is already starting to be abuzz of activities: riders unloading their mountainbikes of their respective racks from their cars, pickups and SUVs. The organizers (Festival Mall officials and representatives, and the Mtb Addicts) are already up and about. The mountainbikers, their friends, have already started to increase in numbers.  You can already sense that early that they're 

observing who amongst the participants would be strong sprinters, and also those who are good spinners, and have endurance to stay and finish the whole 12kms. of the trails. By 7:30am we had our breakfast at Congo Grille at Westgate, alongside was the briefing on how the event would be during the day. Exchanging pleasantries and stories of our good old days when the area in Filinvest Alabang was one of our private playground as high-rise commercial building has not yet existed. We remember the lush greeneries, full-blown trees, stretched of tall cogon grasses that populates the place before. It was one of the mountain-bikers' nirvana: our playground near our homes riding our bikes the whole day. Now we see new buildings and establishments populating this wide expanse. We enjoyed such story-telling as we had our breakfast, in a company of good friends.

By 8am, everyone has geared up for the first race of the day and started to fill up the starting line. You see riders in different sizes and colors, in different nice and expensive cross-country bikes, nice colorful jerseys. You see a collections of friends who are joining the race while some are supporting and cheering friends. You can see that it will be a fun time with friends that day.  An average of 70 mountain-bikers are now amassed and waiting for their categories to be called and start the exciting cross-country circuit race for the day.

By 9:30am the first pandemonium broke loose. The first race started and the riders scrambled for the strategic position while entering the trailhead. It was a steep and slippery climb as the rain the night before made sure that it will be full of slippery clay of mud from start to finish. The whole circuit course runs an average of 6kms. in one loop. The riders would have to traverse twice the course that is a mix of flats, drops, uphill climbs, and some nasty technical sections within that 6kms. route. Compounded with the continuous rains before and during the race, it sure became a gruelling course to ride.  After the first lap, you'll see who already would be winning the first race. A lot of riders bogged down on their first turn - from broken chain, flat tires, stucked in the mud, and falling off their bikes. You see riders agonized as the traverse the trails. There were three categories - Seniors, Masters 1, and Masters 2 - who competed during that event. There were the 

usual strong winners but there were also some surprised winners during the event. The last set of race ended around 1:00pm. After getting rained at, slipped a couple of times in the mud, me and other marshalls headed back from the race course to the stage venue. Soaking wet and mud, I was the designated co-host (as I did during the 2003 Chains on Terrains) for the awarding ceremony. While announcing the race and raffle winners, you see tired but smiles of the faces of those participants. Still muddied up, you get to hear their friends cheer at them as they accept their awards and prices. 

As we closed the event, the whole organizing committee thanked their sponsors, their volunteers, and those who actively participated in this fun event. All are looking forward for another plans for a cross-country bike race soon. The whole activity of the day ended around 1:30pm with everyone satisfied and enjoyed the who festivities.

Indeed, life is good!

Divers Night Party, May 20, 2009.

MAY 25, 2009, At HomeOffice, 12:05am -- Dust has finally settled from much fanfare and excitement from our first Divers Night Party 2009 event that was co-produced and managed with Myke Brazil-Legaspi. We worked on this event just three weeks back, but the main reason why we want to have this party goes beyond that time. 

We agreed  to create an event that would help bring about the reef rehabilitation program of the municipal town of Pola, 78kms. east of Calapan City, in Oriental Mindoro. This once magnificent town shows its old luster through its old magnificent old houses akin to those seen in Vigan, in the Ilocos Province. Though faded in its olden days' glory, like to those glorious grand dame of its pristine past, through its beautiful woodworks and iron-crafts, it still wields the respect that history gives her. The town of Pola may have faded its old spanish glory days, but through the heart and soul of its people it is still alive. You can still see and experience the beautiful smiles of each Poloanos that you come across when one visits the town.

 

Tragically, it is different on the condition and state of their coral reefs and fish sanctuaries. Last April 6-8, 2009, through the invitation and efforts of their mayor, Hon. Alex Aranas, together with a good friend and scuba-diving  professional  Norman  Garcia, a  native  of 

Pola, we decided to do a exploratory dives to check and assess the actual state of the coral reefs on their town's water boundaries. Armed with our dive gears, experience, and sheer craziness, we explored the sites. Despite the initial dangers we have encountered (strong current, deep dive, low visibility) we moved on and scanned the sites. It was disheartening to see majority of the supposedly fish sanctuary is either dead or nearly in its dying state. We learned later on that three years before that, there was unabated illegal fishing in the area like dynamite fishing, use of cyanide, compressor diving, and others. Surfacing, Norman and myself decided to do our little efforts together and work something to help bring back the beauty of the coral reefs of Pola come back alive. From then on, the idea of bringing back and help rehabilitate the reefs of Pola, Oriental Mindoro, came about and the driving force why we're going to have this project long-term. Through the help of our valued event sponsors, fellow believers in the scuba-diving industry from open-water divers to dive instructors, banding together to help this worthwhile endeavor.

The May 20, 2009 Divers Night Party was without a doubt, a complete success! We filled up our venue, One-O-Three Bar, to the rafters. We have seen a fusion of diving, recreational divers, non-divers, and our valued patrons. We've seen a lot of new faces, we seen old friends and dive buddies, all glad to see each other, welcome each other like an old high school reunion. Everyone express delight about the event and are all more than willing to help this rehabilitation project see through until its completion. A lot are asking when do they sign up to volunteer to dive, asking when will the next project be.    Through the generous support of our sponsors 

everyone came home winning once or twice some goodies - from the 3d/2n cruise trip to Coron Palawan (courtesy of 7107 Island Cruise), which was luckily won by an open-water diver! And to other prizes like accommodations to dive trips in Sorsogon, in Anilao Batangas, and other goodies. You could see everyone have a big smile of happiness from their faces (fueled up by free unlimited 

shots of Jagermeister - our sponsor).   The party started of and ended with everyone wanting to do something about the environment. They all said, " its about time that we do something worthwhile! ", and all are looking forward to the next step of the project. As we now work for the development of the next Divers Night Party 2009, rest assured that our commitment to help rehabilitate the coral reefs of Pola will be the driving force behind every fun event and party that we will work thereon.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who believed and supported us in this first event -- our sponsors: One-O-Three Bar, Jagermeister, Pacific Blue Dive Center, ScubaOne.net, FunDiveAsia, Vistamar Beach Resort, 7107 Island Cruise, 300Bar/Halcyon, Mares Dive Gears, Mayumi Resort, Beauty & Wellness Options; our media partners: BusinessMirror, Philippine Graphic Magazine, Inquirer.net Sports, Yehey.com, WaterBoy.ph, PhilStar.com; offset printer: Beyond Paper Company.

We are already on the planning stage for our next schedule for the Divers Night Party 2009! All those who came and partied with us would be treated to something special. Just wait for our next announcement, and surely it will be more fun than ever.  

Indeed, life is good!