Tag: 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!  😊

Diving in Camiguin Again: Escape to Paradise

Diving in Camiguin Again: Escape to Paradise

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I had only one dive trip during the year and gratefully I did it in my favorite island, my dive buddy just gave in for that tryst!

That weekend escape was planned way ahead, and it was just right being so tight with work responsibilities. The third quarter had been laden with work plans that needs extra effort, and the depths therapy was needed to recharge. I don’t want to be in rush, so we head for the island on a Friday and commute like it used to be as real traveler. 🙂

It was “me” time so my accommodations was booked way ahead, the dives however was arranged while on our way and thankfully we got confirmed instantly without much fuss. It was a good decision to dive with Scuba de Oro, it was an exclusive dive for us as there were no expected guests on the day. Later in the evening after we took a leisurely walk around town – church to ask mass schedule, halo-halo treat at Viola’s, watch out the shores at the park near the Parola, search for VJandEP shop -we met up with DM Amir for some pleasantries and short briefing for the dives. He was too polite to drop us at La Dolce Vita for our dinner. Angel was craving for authentic pizza and pasta! 🙂

Amir was on the dot the next morning to pick us up, we need to drive further to Benoni as we we’re aiming for Mantigue Island. It was low tide so we need to wade down the water to get unto the small row boat and finally to the dive boat. The cheery weather was promising, but I was wondering if the school of jacks would be still be there since they’re morning critters. The dives concentrated on the island, it was good to be back.

Our first dive was at the Sanctuary aiming for the jacks, the waters was calm as expected. We geared up taking our time, in no time we went in giant stride! It felt good to be in the depths again, feeling weightless and at peace with the silence. Reef fishes just goin around as we slowly kick feeling the warm waters. In no time, the jacks appeared in great display barely moving. They have grown in number though I believe there are still that went astray from the school, and they are now bigger from the last time I saw them! There was triggerfish, anthias, wrasses and more reef fishes. Some sponges , sea cucumbers, whips and few androids. We spent a good 60 minutes with 29.7 meters as my deepest, my air down to 70 from 200 bars.

After an hour of surface interval, the boat headed for Turtle Point to watch once more those giant turtles . We entered in giant stride again and descended unto sandy slope, floating again peacefully watching and observing critters. In no time, turtles came after the other. The current was too mild so we just flow around, reef fishes still abound. We found a giant grouper! As we went shallower, I stumbled garden eels up on their burrows, I love these critters and got for some stop awhile just observing them going up and up! 🙂 We went up on a patch of corals for our safety stop until we signaled for ascent. I went 59 minutes with 20.9 meters as deepest, my air down to 120 bars. I was surprised of my low air consumption, but then it was a relaxing dive so it was good! 🙂 It was lunchtime when we surfaced, so we had some fellowship lunch with the boys.

After our leisure lunch, we sailed back to the shores grateful for the good weather and great dives. Amir brought us back to our lodgings in the Poblacion. It was another great escape in my fave island, the dives were just what I needed after a lull of more than six months. I was grateful too that my favorite dive buddy joined me, it was more than three years after our last dive before the pandemic era.

NB. Sorry, no underwater photos during these dives.

Home at Last!

Home at Last!

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After almost three years, I was back in my grand element!

Slowly, things went back almost normal midway last year and what comes to my mind was not to end the year without the depths therapy. The conditions were getting better and I guess my triumphs were worth celebrating underwater. The only realm where I could have complete peace and silence.

Just as usual, things just fell into place.

I planned for a year-end dive like I used to do in prior years before the pandemic, hoping my favourite dive buddy could come. So, my best choice was in my go-to dive shop which always welcome me with open arms and heart, this warm and homey abode always gravitate my senses. I don’t need to travel far and I can book anytime I need to. I booked two dives and an overnight stay at the dive shop, with a day tour for my team (office) and treat them for a picnic as our Christmas fellowship. Yeah, shooting more birds with one stone. It was Thursday and a holiday, I went alone as advance party and hoping to get my two dives without hassles. It’s been three years…

I left the city late from my usual timetable but nothing to rush, my host assured. The familiar quiet and relaxing atmosphere at the shop greeted me, it was drizzling. The front desk staff was too glad to see me, it’s been awhile he said, and was surprised to see me alone. After settling my stuff in my room, I hastily went down at the shop after some preliminaries and found the boys preparing the gears. I informed Sir Dong that I need some refresher dive before getting to the house reef. My regulator need some safety checks too, sir Dong was kind and had the mouthpiece replaced with no fee! :)

After a Long Break

After gearing up, we head for Red Sands off Sipaka Point for my first dive. It was already 3pm. The waters have calmed a bit going to low tide. My reliable dive guide (Boboy) was hovering from the by-side just to keep watch on me as I coyly went around. It was funny as Boboy signalled arbitrarily pointing his eyes to that something beyond and I need to take a second look, I can’t barely see micros as I don’t have my dailies! And I was wiggling to control my bouyancy when I get shallower, thanks to my wetsuit that totally dried up after more than three years of complete rest! but it felt so good down the waters – emersing in silence in a different dimension. There were trash I gathered as usual, a plastic bottle that almost fossilized lurking in between substrates and few shampoo sachets – gladly it had never deceived my seeking eyes. We surfaced after 60 minutes with my air still 90 bars, went deepest at 23 meters with 30% nitrox! It was drizzling as we sped back to the shores.

That was enough for the day, Sir Dong suggested to have another dive the next morning early and again there is no need to rush as I spent overnight in the resort. I had a good rest after having a quite dinner overlooking the pool. I regained my perfect balm from aching heart, grieving soul, dried up gills and itchy fins!

One Stone, Two Hits

I was up the next morning early to prepare and was praying hard for a good weather. My team at work would come before lunch for our team building cum Christmas fellowship at the picnic area. I need to pack too my stuff for check out after the dive, there wont be much time if done later. I rushed down for my filipino breakfast, taking my time and went straight to diveshop as I was expected at 8am for our dives which was planned at the house reef! Sir Dong was already at the shop preparing his hi-tech cam , just glad he would be joining us in the dive. :) The skies was bit gloomy but just perfect as it wont too hot, it was 930am already and the waters has calmed going high tide.

We sped off for the floaters and anchored, with a giant step splashed to the waters!

Slowly inch by inch holding the line going down, there was nothing at first but halfway some chromis appeared wiggling coyly. The top of shoal is still colorful as ever. The unequalled diversity of marine life is simply engaging, swarm of damsels and chromis abound as we reached the hill.  A big red snapper appeared and I was wondering where the black snappers have gone, The black corals and a variety of hard and soft corals decorated the shoal.  The tangles of soft corals blocking my way felt like I was in the grasslands finding my way out. The pair of friendly octopus was new and a good find, I never had seen one before on the shoal. The pair was watching us and never went away and was observing us too. The perennial lions, chromis and wrasses still abound and it was a joy to find them again. The feeling of more than 100 feet below is still unequalled, weightless and floating peacefully with just the sound of my breath!

My dive guide signalled for ascent and I have to be dependent with him, I don’t have my dive computer as it was due for battery replacement. So, slowly inch by inch again we ascend holding the bouyline, I want to spend the last available minute still immersed in the waters. I went 33 meters deepest for 56 minutes, still with 70 bars at 30% nitrox! It was still gloomy as we surfaced but grateful for a great morning dive.

Sir Dong offered the diveshop for our activity, he said prophetically that it could rain anytime in the afternoon. I was awed he was so certain it would pour, that’s how sea people can read skies and feel the temperature. Then, my work mates just arrived on time after I was done for the post dive nitty-gritty.

The food, fun and laughter was just what we needed for the pile of work waiting back at the office. And it sure did pour and the diveshop was our great refuge! We left in good spirits after dark still drizzling.

I promised the resort staff I would be back soon for more dives. Very soon!