Underwater photos provided by Dive District
Every little bit counts.
That was the first thing that cropped up in my mind as I participated in my first underwater and shore cleanup in Anilao, Batangas last November. It was one of the more memorable things I did in 2018.
I joined several volunteers who walked along the shore to recover discarded plastic wrappers, bottles and stuff near the pier of Anilao, Batangas. Other volunteers who donned scuba gear were part of the underwater phase of the cleanup.
The activity, which was aptly dubbed “AdvocaSea: Underwater and Shore Cleanup,” was the brain child of two of my fraternity brods in the UP Vanguard fraternity, Atty. Ian Alvaera and Richie Moneza. These two friends of mine are avid scuba diving instructors who founded Dive District, a scuba diving organization that offers a wide range of diving courses.
I could’ve joined the underwater phase but I felt I was out of shape. Two other brods joined me on shore while at least two other brods joined Atty Ian and Richie and the rest of the volunteer divers underwater.
Atty. Ian and Richie, with the cooperation of local officials of Anilao, partnered with Pure Oceans, an organization that works with coastal communities on sustainable solutions against plastic litter. The scuba divers who volunteered for “AdvocaSea” used eight dive boats for the activity.
The entire group of volunteers was able to collect 373 kilograms of trash during the activity. According to Pure Oceans, 107.5 kilograms of the plastic recovered during the cleanup can be upcycled to make at least four school chairs.
It was a modest attempt but I do believe these two frat brods of mine are on the right tract. Fortunately, Atty. Ian and Richie are open to making it an annual activity of Dive District. And I promised them I’ll get back in shape to join the underwater cleanup.
And since my two brods are obligated contractually to acknowledge those who supported AdvocaSea, I’ll have to oblige them, since our fraternity chapter also backed the activity.
AdvocaSea was supported by Pure Oceans, Aquaventure Reef Club Resort, Aquamundo Scuba
Cebu Pacific Air, Pioneer Adhesives Foundation, Pioneer Adhesives, Inc, Dole PH, Shore It Up, Nautilus Dive and Sports Center, Resorts World Manila, Klean Kanteen, UP Vanguard University Chapter, Canon PH, Sip PH, Luminox Color1digital, Inc., Habit, Oh My Buhay, Pacific Cross Philippines, Fudgee Barr: O-Barr sa Sarap, Willy’s Scuba Discovery and The Dive.
Since my two friends are also dive instructors, those who are interested in introductory courses in scuba diving can check the Facebook page of Dive District.
