Category: Diving

Year-End Diving Adventures in Anilao

Year-End Diving Adventures in Anilao

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Trips during the month of December especially flying is normally shunned even on official matters, I always decline politely and just delegate someone else if there is a need. My year-end dive escapades (if there’s one) were always near my base, my dive buddy perfectly understood my ground.  This year (2025) however, was an exception.  There was no plan but things just fell into its place, two trips to the metro – one is necessary and mandatory and one was purely out of whim (but never a caprice!). My dive buddy just lured me for year-end dive trip, which was a surprise after having none in the last five years!  But still maintained my mantra of not hitting grounds, in my pace as it was a treat for myself. The choices were all wonderful dive destinations but Anilao had best advantage in terms of travel time and route, bit more costly I guess but I only dive there just once in the early days of this passion and that was sixteen years ago!

We drive very early to Batangas and in less than 30 minutes it was pouring rain, I started to worry if the waters would be good for the dives. But I refused to be bothered and was praying that all would go well in Anilao.  After more than two hours, we arrived promptly for our arrangements at Halo Diveshop and so grateful that the rains have stopped. After the preliminaries, we went down to meet DM Penn and was glad that we are only three divers for the day under his tutelage – almost an exclusive one! The plan was to dive close to the shores to avoid possible surf that may occur any time later.  It slipped from me and found out later from my write-up that DM Penn was the same dive guide we had sixteen years ago at Pier Uno, I totally forgot and Angel didn’t mention to me or he hadn’t recalled as well? 😊

Arthur’s Rock

In our wetsuits we piled up on the boat and head for Arthur’s Rock as our first descent, miraculously   the water was flat with mild sun with no trace of heavy rains earlier. We did our back roll one after the other, I hold unto Angel as we descend slowly while equalizing for my ears. Our first sighting was a moray eel as we got on the sandy bottom.  Incredibly, the viz was good despite the rains earlier and as we went around floating weightlessly a wave of relief came over me once more.  I tried to follow our DM who always signal me to come up, as I tend to sink lower for the macros.  Indeed, the environs was teeming with life – blue triggers, boxfish, anemone fishes, bannerfishes, angels, chromis to name a few.  Then sighted a fat mantis shrimp which I pointed out to Angel barely noticing it. Such a joy to find one I wasn’t expecting it.  The large population of blue triggers surprised me – I love watching its fins elongated end as it swayed with the current! In our ascent, Angel has to wait for me because my computer (Suunto D4i) was not done yet for my safety stop! We spent a good 49 minutes with my air still at 100 bars. 

In our surface interval, our boat maneuvered a short distance to our next site. The weather was just so perfect – mild sun, mild current, soft breeze. Just a stone throw from us, a swarm of mackerels hovered over the surface creating wave rivets, glittering under the mild sun – a sight to behold!

Twin Rocks

The boat anchored a little farther from the point, you can never miss the two rocks not far from the shores.  Noticing some heads bobbing up on the waters as they snorkeled in the shallows, I wondered that this spot is undoubtedly teeming with life. So, we back rolled once more for our last descent feeling the cold waters as I went down slowly with my buddy still at an arm’s length.

Indeed, down there was much to grasp with the diverse life appearing before us. I was again in another dimension amidst other worldly critters that calmed my senses. The blue triggers abound the spot too, so far the area has the largest population of this specie I’ve been to, in no time we found ourselves in the midst of a large swarm – their elongated fins swaying as if teasing us! Such an amazing sight and floating with them is again other worldly. There were blue stars, culcitas, feather stars and the perennial anemone fish.  We sighted sea kraits twice, juvenile and adult wiggling away.  There was a group of juvenile chevron barracuda playfully waggling before us, lingered for awhile their silvery bodies shone as one diver lighted up his torch to them! I got near to a wall filled with androids, whips and feather stars swaying with the mild current; in a corner there was a lump of juvenile cardinal fish so tiny wiggling over the reef.  That one huge turtle surprised us, undaunted swimming coyly not minding us.  I may have missed other critters but not the juvenile ribbon eel, mantis shrimp again, a giant grouper wiggling away, some trumpet fish, boxfish, chromis, anthias and another turtle before our ascent.  For me, finding a sea turtle completes a dive – it’s a favorite specie even for my dive buddy and knowing its life cycle from my volunteer works, I would say every turtle existing underwater is a miracle!  The current became less mild but we swam against it back to our boat to end the dive. I went deeper at 25.4 meters compared from the previous one at 21 meters, bit

longer at 52 minutes with my air still at 100 bars.  Oh, I didn’t notice nudis in both dives and I wonder if there was none at all or I just missed them.

The boat sped off to the docks, faces with smile feeling good with the wonderful sightings plus a good dose of magnesium chloride from the waters. At a distance, as we sailed on, we sighted the nearby Sombrero Island, maybe next time, one day. 😊 Well, famished we hasten the after-dive chores – thankfully the diveshop had good facilities. The food was great too, our satisfying lunch completed our Anilao day trip.

I still hold onto my theory that discovering one new place is a door to another world.  Well, it wasn’t new but being back after sixteen long years, there has been lot of changes even with myself, and we did dive into new sites I haven’t been to!  I almost slapped my forehead thinking why it took me that long to dive again in Batangas! Well, Anilao being dubbed as the most-dived site in the country is called for nothing and coming again in the near future is not impossible. Don’t you think?😊

Combining Heights and Depths: A Journey Through Nature

Combining Heights and Depths: A Journey Through Nature

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Descent to depths is always a pleasure but combine it with heights, is I would say pure indulgence and what a joy! 😊There are places close to my heart that have this perfect combination but obviously not within my reach, distant travel and careful arrangements are necessary.  Truly, it’s pure bliss having this combination in a trip, like shooting two birds with just one stone!

Recently, I did one just close home. I was grateful to my buddy for arranging the hike when I suggested to go somewhere else aside from the dives. Though I was always cautious not to have an arduous one to have enough strength for the rigors in diving. Well, trek needs to be done ahead since heights must be avoided after descents.

Trek, Falls, Dive

The trek in Baungon was something new, it’s one of the remaining towns in Bukidnon that I wanted to visit which I kept putting off as it’s just near my base. I was in for a surprise, what I thought as pretty relaxing walk to some elevated slope for horizon view was not the way it was. It started with down trek, into narrow ridge with cliff both sides with surrounding hills as backdrop! Crossing to the next hilltop with a hut and view deck that serve as base camp, we spotted falls afar, not just one but two! I thought that was it, had sumptuous lunch there while enjoying the panorama. 😊

Surprisingly, the walk continued down the stiff trail to the river, slippery and unforgiving but we need to go near Balangikog Falls and we did it. So fierce and wild, yet the sound of raging waters felt so refreshing, the water person in me is rejoicing! It had been raining past days thus the turbulence, the river rise up with its murky waters.  The other falls much farther seems beckoning, at first, I hesitated it was way off and with no clear trails it won’t be easy. In the end, we all agreed to go as no one must be left behind. Tall grasses, mud, big boulders were all we had as we trod carefully our way to Niya Falls.  It was well worth it, subdued and calm – it was more relaxing being there. It has wide clearing with boulders to sit upon, the wide expanse of the hills and valleys with the placid falls was all consuming. After awhile, we did the arduous trek back each in our own pace. I did stops not to pressure my legs, scrambling up was no joke with the slippery trails! Back at the base camp, our sumptuous lunch was waiting. It was just right as we are all famished and it was almost 1pm already.

The trek, two falls, new friends, satisfying lunch and stunning vista was more than enough for the day. A wonderful prelude for the morrow, I guess but honestly the long hike wasn’t I expected!  😊

The dives in my go-to diveshop the next day was all we needed, dried up gills and itching fins that longed for the waters immensely.  The Mantangale Sojourn ( https://cbartazo.com/2025/10/28/exploring-the-depths-birthday-dive-trip-recap/) revived my spirit once more, two dives that transported me to another dimension. The privilege of exploring the underwater world hit me deeply, that same eagerness still caught me every time I have a dive trip coming.

Now I knew, my dives in Balingoan if ever I got can always be combined from choice of peaks in Bukidnon mountain ranges, it needs prudent planning though. Recalling our Panimahawa Ridge trek few years back after our dives was marvellous, yet technically it was an oversight. For safety, heights are not allowed after dives within 24 hours but thanks God, there were no issues then.  Still, this combination is perfect for my adventurous heart, both are closest to nature.

Yes, climbing a peak or searching the depths is a real show of grandeur in all schemes of things!

Exploring the Depths: Birthday Dive Trip Recap

Exploring the Depths: Birthday Dive Trip Recap

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Aiming for International Women Dive Day was my original plan after having missed it in the past years but it was unfortunate the weather didn’t cooperate. The dive shop explained that visibility was not good and dives can be done the following day keeping crossed fingers and hoping it would be clearer enough for the dives.  It was a sunny Sunday and the resort was bustling with functions, yet Sir Dong Uy was there to welcome us and after some brief chat catching up offered us a welcome coffee – on the house! 😊  There were visible changes in the resort – new structures, repairs, more rooms – yet the homey familiar ambience I so missed comforted me once more.

We went down to the dive shop for the preliminaries, so glad to see Danny and requested him to check my reg while Boboy was attending to our gear needs, obviously our guide for the day.  Again, it was an exclusive dive for us, just perfect! 😊

Our first descent was at the house reef, our favorite site. We splashed for the giant stride and swam for the bouy line and slowly went down inch by inch. The viz was bit hazy but it worked well, and that same magic appeared as we got to the shoal.  The swarm of scads swimming coyly lingered around, damsels and chromis.  A red snapper darted and quickly swam away, giant trevally appeared from nowhere. Again, the rhythm of colors as they swarmed and wiggled on this shelter was a sight to behold. I didn’t see much of the small and obscured critters and I miss the resident moray eel lurking in its lair.  Slowly I went around taking my time, feeling the cold waters, listening to my breath.  Unfortunately, I failed to set correctly my computer to EAN so it went Greek!  I spent my last available minute until my NDL went 2 and signaled for ascent to my dive buddy and guide. I went 30.6 meters with my 56 mins bottom time, my air still at 110 bars.

The boat speed off to Sipaka Point and had our surface interval there, our guide suggested to take refuge as surf might swell any time.

We waited for an hour and geared up for our last descent at Red Sands, the plan was to explore in the shallows to get a much better visibility. Our giant strides splashed the waters, and in a while descend to sandy grounds. Our first critter as we hit down was a devilfish pointed out by our dive guide, which something I wouldn’t notice on my own. We explored around, encountered large patch of flourishing colorful corals, peeked a crevice, inspected a small cavern and waded around feeling my weightlessness and enjoying the view.  Maybe the viz wasn’t as good as it used to be during sunny days but still it felt good being there surrounded with nothing less of spectacle.  The blue stars again, culcitas, lionfish, the perennial anemone fish, chromis, wiggling anthias, to name a few. Oh, the COTS didn’t escape my probing eyes, I found at least three of them and I guess there could be more.  I was thinking they will surely devour the colorful corals in no time. ☹ We were biding our time as we circled the enormous Bugtong Bato, from the surface this massive granite rock looks desolate, barren and devoid of life. Yet underwater, it depicts a different picture, so colorful, very diverse and teeming with life.  In no time, we signaled for ascent and clocked 69 minutes dive time with my air still at 90 bars. Both dives for the day were at 30% EAN.

We sped back to the resort feeling good at the same time famished as it was past 1:00pm already. As we savored our late lunch in the quiet ambience of the resort’s resto, we intermittently talk about the encounters and grateful we made it for the dives even with unreliable weather condition.  After some pleasantries, we bid bye to sir Dong who was full at work and have guests yet still manage to send us off, promising him we will surely be back!

The two dives for the day revived my spirit, it was short but sweet so to say.  As we drove back to the city, I was reflecting again how privileged I am to explore the underwater world which is so filled of wonders always.  My favorite dive buddy said after diving for almost two decades and having seen all, the sensation being down there floating weightless is something we need to feel now and then. That same eagerness still caught me every time I have a dive trip coming.  So grateful for my dive buddy who opted to come over to revisit MADRI after five long years, I had wonderful weekend dives in my favorite homey dive shop.  Actually, it was my birthday trip and being in the depths was a tradition as it used to be, as a “one with nature” treat for ourselves!  😊

Sustainable Diving in Camiguin: Clean-Up and Relaxation

Sustainable Diving in Camiguin: Clean-Up and Relaxation

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The quick get-away in Camiguin Island this summer was again another time to relax, recharge and remind myself I need to be on the road again!

While I was planning for an escape to my go-to diveshop, my buddy randomly suggested for a quick dive trip wherever I want! 😊Apparently, my happy smart choice was my favorite island – not so distant, not crowded and not expensive. Being just few weeks after the Holy Week*, it was peaceful and not crowded as I wanted it to be. Too provincial, as my dive buddy described when we had an afternoon walk from the market.

We were happy to be back at Mabini Hotel as our refuge, the staff were friendly and so helpful.  And practically, walking distance to important spots in the town – church, market, police station, shops, bank. Our dives arrangement done perfect with Scuba de Oro.

The next morning, we’re up early for the preliminaries – Angel’s early walk, packing up gears, my dailies and a relaxing light breakfast. Our DM picked us up promptly at 8:30am to the dock which was 18 kms away, the cheery weather was all we need to brighten up that Friday!

Marine Sanctuary

We got on the paddle boat that brought us to dive boat anchored about 100 meters away, sunny skies and calm waters was just perfect for the dives! In no time, we sailed for Mantigue after all the necessary stuff were loaded. Just watching the wide blue seas with its gentle breeze was just a good start. Again, it was an exclusive dive for us! 😊

DM Amir joined us in our first dive at the Sanctuary, the waters was just right – on a high tide with very mild current. Our giant stride gave a huge splash on the waters! We descend slowly hoping to find a school of jacks. Alas, my dive computer wasn’t working later I realized it was battery low already and this is one of those situations when I felt lost when I don’t have a dive computer. Then I felt struggling with my buoyancy, figuring out why when I always have 6 pounds weights. I wasn’t listening when Angel suggested he would have extra weight in case my wetsuit would keep me positively buoyant. The whole time our DM was on the lookout for me.

We sighted at least three groups of giant trevallies as we went, not so much in number compared last time but much bigger.  The ever gentle turtles crossed our way, three of them wading coyly. I was wondering if these turtles were hatched in the island or are they males felt safe and contented to inhabit the sanctuary. The reef fishes were all over, few drummers showed up. There were triggerfish, anthias, wrasses, fusiliers, anemone fish, sand perch, and more. There were blue stars scattered around and found more culcita which was not a common sight before. Some sponges, sea cucumbers, whips and few androids.

We spent 57 minutes, had my deepest at 22m and my air down to 70 from 200 bars.

Turtle Point

After more than an hour for our surface interval, we prepared for our next dive at the Point – Angel’s favorite. 😊This time, my weight was increased and Angel offered his new dive computer (Garmin Descent 2) which I was grateful!  To make our dives count, we brought our net bag as Amir urged, for some trash clean up. And right, all was well – my buoyancy was perfect and my depth, NDL and safety stop were monitored accurately which is very relevant to me. We descend to a sandy slope and went deeper down expecting some surprise!

Well, we encountered six turtles – two were sleeping quietly in their spot, none of them were threatened as we passed by observing them. Angel and I stopped momentarily in white sandy slope observing the garden eels, their territory became wider I observed. Amir led us for the search of the elusive juvenile leaf scorpion fish, it didn’t disappoint us as it appeared perched on a stone coral. It was a rare sight, and I guess I wouldn’t find if I’m alone – one needs keen eyes for this critter.  A lone chevron barracuda darted fast few meters away, stunned for a bit what was it!  It was surprising, there were lot of critters I observed dwelling at the Point.  Bannerfishes, angels, snappers, moorish idol, fusiliers, anthias, pufferfish, yellow damsels and lot more. A moray eel also peeped from its hole observing us, there were blue stars and culcita’s all over.  It felt surreal with that large throng of juvenile cardinal fish, so tiny thousands of them wiggling over the colorful corals!

We ascend with a bagful of trash – plastic cutlery, sachets, discarded clothing, plastic caps, sanitary napkin, bottle, cans and more plastics. Well, the sanitary nap was gross, but I didn’t let it go. It was a dive clean-up indeed!  We had 62 minutes with 23.1 meters as my deepest and my air down to 80 bars.

Our sumptuous lunch was waiting for us as we got into the boat, the most relaxing part after good dives was while enjoying our meal talking about the sightings and dive trips stories. 😊

Isla Charms

Our last dive in the island was two years ago right in the same spot yet being underwater is always mystery – new encounters, new lessons and whole gamut of bliss beyond the surface. It’s beauty and wonder cannot be equaled. To our delight, our DM allowed us for a quick hop to the island using the paddle boat! 😊 The white beach became wider this time, and there was some kind of sandbar that extends a little farther. What a joy – getting a good view of the main island! The mountains all green capped with white clouds, such a beauty!

We went back to Mambajao with our DM driving for us, such generous soul. We planned for sunset in White Island like we used to in previous years but unfortunately all tourist spots now in Camiguin Island closed at 5pm. Making most of the day, we had a detour to Katibawasan Falls for a quick dip to freshen up, the cold waters was good enough but have to leave immediately before the gates would close. ☹ We capped the day watching the sunset at Chill’s Resto instead!

As I watched leaving the port next morning, had that gnawing feeling of not getting enough. I whispered to myself and promised I’ll be back again soon!  Honestly though, I miss those times watching sunset in White island or the night dip in Hot Spring. Those moments when there was no need to rush.

*Tourists and many people would flock during the Holy Week for the annual Panaad, where devotees would walk around the island as pilgrims for the Way of the Cross.

Diving Adventures in Moalboal: A Return to Paradise

Diving Adventures in Moalboal: A Return to Paradise

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After a wonderful sojourn and matching discoveries in Sibaltan, another diving trip was put to order in June. Yes, in summer like it used to be!  For some time, I was aiming and wanted to be back in Cabilao Island but conditions were not favorable, a weekend was too short for the trip.  Our instinct just urged us and we randomly decide for our fave destination in southern Cebu.  It was almost five years since our last visit and it was like a homecoming!

Pescador Island in a distance

Just like my quirky escapes – late flight, no proper meals, early dawn bus ride – yet arrived safely in town still dark. My buddy and I realized now that Moalboal is not too far from the city, we barely had three hours on the road. After five years though, there has been lot of noticeable changes, the roads are wider paved all the way, and that old acacia tree at the junction going to Panagsama Beach is now obscured with new structures. More buses are routing to south and realistically dawn rides barely had stops along the road!  If not for the bus crew alerting us for the stop, we could have slept all along and ended somewhere else! 😊 So, we wind up at Jolibee’s-24H as our refuge while still dark, and had our early coffee there.

Just when day breaks, we hailed a trike that brought us to Ananas Guesthouse and accordingly had our much-needed nap! Just enough to freshen me up until 9am, to have my essentials for the day – my dailies and repacking of needed gears, we were expected for the 10:30am dive schedule at Savedra Dive Center.

Mystical Depths

An eye catching but very significant to divers is this slogan at the diveshop, “Some of us must live underwater.”  It brought me thinking that I can only come for a visit in an hour or so, if only that’s possible – if only…  The wall chart had our names with DM Vernel indicated Pescador Island as our first dive! We organized our gears and had my regulator for necessary check for leaks, in no time we piled up on the dive boat. We had two other divers with our DM, there are two other larger groups in our boat also heading for Pescador.  It was looming before us as we cruised towards the island, there were boats already mooring in a short distance. After the briefing, we assembled with our DM and did our giant stride entry.

See the shrimp?

We navigated south to west (yes, this route made us a full circle of the island!) with our right shoulder to the wall, wonderful critters abound – a juvenile yellow frogfish, twice we encountered stonefish – alone and a couple in another spot, a scorpionfish camouflaged between the corals, lionfish, reef fishes and few bivalves that snapped as we passed by.  Even with the devastation of typhoon Odette in December 2021, which is visible in its terrain yet still the critters thrived and have decorated the wall.  Our DM peeked on corals and crevices for micros – few nudis, coral shrimps and coral crabs were lurking on them almost invisible if not for our DMs keen eyes.  It was just so interesting searching for these tricky invertebrates, you don’t know what you find and I would always wonder that such animals exist! I wouldn’t know if don’t descend in the depths.  We went around floating weightless in silence, now and then I’d look for my buddy as it should be, to be mindful in every beat. Slowly we went up from the wall over a patch of corals, until we have our safety stop. In no time our DM deployed his SMB, I signaled Angel for our ascent.  We all assembled and boarded the boat as it got near to fetch us. I had 55 minutes with 23.8m as deepest, still with 100 bars.

Our pizza lunch was perfect as our surface interval, light but full.  We chose Veranda Kitchen & Bar overlooking the shores for some sea breeze relaxing for the next dive. 

Lunch leftover!

We promptly went back at the dive shop to prepare for the next descent checking our gears, and alas Angel’s dive computer was nowhere in sight! Our last descent as scheduled was at Ludo which was something new to us, our DM informed that the highlight of this site is the sitting Mermaid statue which sound interesting! The plan was a shore dive but, in the end, they got us unto the boat as they were going northwest and just drop us off near our site. We were separated from the large group, so it’s like an exclusive dive for me and Angel because our DM said we had low air consumption compared to others! 😊We gave up looking for the dive computer and went on.

The Mermaid

We did the entry again in giant stride, feeling the warm afternoon waters. In no time, we descend anticipating for some surprise. And there she was surrounded with some rocks, sitting quietly looking up as if waiting for someone to come and join her fantasies! We circled and lingered briefly watching her, then proceed to float silently on the sandy slope. I was glad there was no sighting of trashes, I guess the community have managed well on waste disposal and I remembered clearly in our last dive here, there were no visible trashes.  Sadly though, typhoon Odette have left damage in the coral reefs and still haven’t recovered. Visibly, it isn’t as colorful before but still we had amazing finds among the thriving corals – orange frogfish couple, nudis, anemone shrimp, banded pipefish, moray eel. The rare ghost pipefish was a real surprise too! We floated we got into a large school of scads, then finally the sardines appeared above us! I turned around, all I saw was large throng of the silvery fishes.

Sardines!

And I always find joy in the depths just floating in silence with only the sound of my breathing audible, with the sardines swimming in unison. How marvelous, nature indeed knew how to stage an amazing show! We continued floating in the midst of this trance, absorbing the beauty and wonder until slowly we ascend in the shallows. Swimming toward the channel, we remained underwater for faster navigation. It was a long swim, thankfully the current was just manageable. I kept near especially that Angel don’t have his dive computer.   Finally, we emerged up very near the shores right in the dive shop channel. I needed help walking back to the shop, and luckily, I still had the strength to carry my gears on my own!  I went 66 minutes at 19 meters as deepest, still with 70 bars of air.

Well, the tiring part again was the after dive care of the gears, in our final packing Angel’s dive computer suddenly was found in the corner which put smiles on our faces! 😊 We finally left after things settled walking back leisurely to our lodgings about kilometer away.  I watched sunsets here and even laze around at White Beach but it’s different now as we’re stationed distant from the shores.  Still, Moalboal will always be a favorite go to for my diving escape.

More sardines!

Unwritten Rule

Somehow, our after-dive tradition is to have decent dinner, to compensate for spent energy but mainly to celebrate the good dives, wonderful sightings, good weather and meeting randomly new faces who were kind to us.  To be thankful for this wonderful gift of exploring the depths, not everyone had the opportunity to do so. In my life tapestry, diving is a thread that adds vibrancy and warmth of my being.

Panagsama is now filled-up with lot of establishments not to mention restos and bars lined up along the road, in the night it became a rowdy tourist setting. We settled that evening at Blue Mango Bar after an assessment with others. The next morning, after meeting and thanking our French host we left for the city. We continued to splurge for a sumptuous lunch at Everyday Coffee and Tea in downtown Cebu.😊

We can only celebrate the good things bestowed, life is too short not to be grateful for His abundant graces!

NB. Photos courtesy of http://www.lakwatsero.com