Certified a Diver!
Diving for the first time makes for a hair-raising yet satisfying experience, from encountering beautiful sea turtles to swimming with schools of fish. Follow this rookie as she plunges into the exciting unknown
Anilao is a wonderful tropical paradise. With its lovely sunlit streets, pretty pastel houses, and breathtaking dive sites, this is a haven you will fall instantly in love with. Located just two to three hours from Manila, at the southwestern tip of Luzon, Anilao is easily accessible by car – or by bus, for those who want to have the “Pinoy experience”. Bristling with dive sites and populated with hundreds of dive resorts, Anilao has a well-earned reputation as one of the Philippines’ most popular dive destinations.
In September, I had the privilege of experiencing my first taste of scuba diving, with Anilao as my base. I was to be certified by PADI, the world’s leading scuba diver training organisation, at Casa Escondida, a PADI 5-star Instructor Development Centre (IDC).
In my home country of Singapore, you rarely come across someone who has even been scuba diving, let alone passionate about it.
Despite being an island, the people of this bustling city state seem to have a certain detachment from their surrounded waters. It wasn’t until I attended the Philippine Dive Expo (PHIDEX), from September 20 to 22, that I had the opportunity to interact with seasoned divers and listen to their stories, and get to know more about the joys and technicalities of scuba diving.
TAKING THE FIRST PLUNGE
Hearing about the thrill of diving from enthusiastic divers is one thing, but trying it yourself is something else entirely. I have to admit that I began my training with some apprehension, which is probably normal for any new diver. Fortunately, the first few sessions were conducted in a swimming pool, around five metres deep, so my nervousness was tempered by the knowledge that there was a short ascent in case I got into trouble.
After the intensive first day’s training, I was utterly exhausted and slept very well that night. Nevertheless, it was an immensely fulfilling first experience and I quickly realised I was hooked. With the constant guidance and heeding the clear instructions from my instructors, I was able to make rapid progress, and within just a day and a half, I was ready to take on the real challenge: the ocean.
“The idea of paying it forward and making a meaningful difference in my life is at the forefront of what drives me guiding the PADI organisation forward as a Global Force for Good. As we’ve grown, our purpose has expanded to include a stronger responsibility and commitment to take care of the environment. As the largest certifying agency in the world, PADI and its network of divers, teaching professionals, and dive shops can mobilise as a force for good that can impact the health of the underwater world. This commitment to ocean health has become an integral part of the PADI corporate ethos. To be the best in the world, we all must be the best for the world by protecting the ocean planet we love.” – Dr. Drew Richardson CEO and President of PADI
DISCOVERING THE REEFS HIDDEN HOME, EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Translating to “hidden home” in Spanish, Casa Escondida is a jewel waiting to be discovered.
One of the best dive resorts in Anilao, it is highly regarded by newbies and seasoned scuba divers alike, as well as being popular with freedivers, and offers easy access to more than 40 dive sites and over 300 species of coral.
Apart from the exciting dive adventures on offer, the hospitality I experienced at Casa Escondida was exceptional. The friendly resort staff went out of their way to make my stay as enjoyable as possible; my room, with its sea views and walls decorated with underwater images, was cosy and comfortable; and the delectable selection of local dishes – some fresh from the sea – was irresistible. I am a Filipina myself, but growing up in Singapore, I haven’t been exposed much to Philippine food, so my stay at Casa
“We aim to motivate and encourage local island communities to participate and hope to educate the
islanders to reduce their plastic usage. Doing this helps poor islanders and clean coastal
waste plastics, too! Our resort organises some activities from time to time, and thanks to the support of many friends, we can continue to
promote marine environmental protection.”
– Andrew Oh
PADI MSDT at Casa Escondida
Escondida was a mouthwatering revelation, providing me with a renewed understanding of my own cusine.
Importantly, the resort also advocates reducing consumption of single-use plastic. For instance, unlike many hotels and resorts, plastic bottles aren’t placed in rooms nor handed out to guests. Instead, water refilling points are conveniently located in different areas of the resort, and reusable cups are provided.
AN UNWELCOME DOSE OF REALITY
Despite the excitement of seeing marine creatures in their natural habitats, it was disheartening to note the effects of coral bleaching on most of the reefs we saw. We also spotted various pieces of floating plastic as well as discarded nets strewn on the reefs. It was shocking to witness firsthand the impact on the ocean of our reliance on plastic.
The awareness of the magnitude of the problem that comes with your first experiences in the open
ocean is certainly sobering. It immediately makes you to think about the changes we need to make – first as individuals, and then as a community – to reduce our consumption of single-use plastic and other non-sustainable products, so much of which ends up in our oceans.
CLEANING THE OCEAN
On the third Saturday in September, PADI joins thousands of grassroots groups across the world for International Coastal Cleanup
Day. For its part, Casa Escondida works with Barangay Maricaban on Maricaban Island, an hour’s
boat ride away, with more than a tonne of plastic garbage collected in a single day. And the ocean isn’t the only one benefitting: In exchange for their assistance with the removal of the waste from the island, the 600 islanders from the village receive a bag of rice and canned food. Initiatives like these are vital in educating locals about marine environmental protection, encouraging the community as a whole to dispose off their waste responsibly. Executed on a larger scale, such efforts can make a tangible difference for the health of the waters surrounding Asia’s coastlines.