At the height of summer, divers flock to PHL

This summer, underwater aficionados from all over the world are expected to visit the Philippines. With over seven thousand islands to choose from, and two local dive sites even named as the world's best, it's easy to see why the divers are heading this way. 

“In fact, the Philippines is already being regarded by many foreign divers as the ‘center of center’ of diving in the world,” said Benedict Reyes, president of the Philippine Association on Underwater Activities (PAUA) and board member of the Asian Underwater Federation.

 

"The Philippines is one big dive site," Reyes said, explaining that apart from the popular dive spots like Tubbataha in Palawan or Apo Reef in Mindoro,  there are still hundreds of potential dive sites that can be developed.

 

According to Karen Chan, executive director of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD), for all the attention it's been receiving, diving isn't even well-promoted yet.

 

“Diving is regarded as one of the top tourist activities in the Philippines, though it is still not as well-promoted yet. What more if it was?" she said.

 

Dive Expo

 

As if the 500 potential dive sites aren't yet a big enough attraction for divers, two events, both of which will be held at the Shangri-la Mactan, are set to draw not only hobbyists, but leaders of the local and international diving community.

 

The first event, which will run from April 17 to 23, is the World Underwater Federation General Assembly, a gathering of about 150 leaders of underwater federations from all over the world.

 

Almost simultaneously, from April 18 to 21, there will also be World DEEP (Dive Expo and Exhibition Philippines), organized by the PCSSD. It will be the first international dive expo in the country, and will provide members of the diving community with a venue to interact and discuss opportunities for business and development.

 

World DEEP will also include seminars on underwater photography, as well as on emerging underwater sports such as finswimming, underwater wrestling, and breath-hold diving.

 

Both Reyes and Chan say that the two events aim to promote Philippine diving destinations to the world. —Amanda Lago/KG, GMA News