HMUA Myke Legaspi: THE REASON WHY WE’LL PARTY THIS MAY 20, 2009

by Jun Reynales, May 13, 2009.

Last April 6, 2009, Norman Garcia and myself went spent a weeklong vacation in the municipal town of Pola, 78 kms. from Calapan, Mindoro Oriental.

Our objective, as per previous invitation by no less than Mayor Alex Aranas, the municipal town mayor of Pola, for us to do some exploration dives to check the status of the town’s marine protected areas thay they started just three years ago. The intention was to get a first-hand account of the actual information of the town’s marine protected areas. After the briefing on our objectives for the dives, we prepared our dive equipments and head for the outrigger boat.

Off we went diving. Norman and I agreed to do simple visual observations and get some underwater photographs of the dive sites. So we did. Our first dive was a very deep dive. We’re already at depth of 100ft. with 0-15ft. visibility, and a very strong current. Bad combination. Strong current and bad visibility, Norman and I were being feathered around, likened to two rag dolls clipped in a clotheslines on a strong typhoon! We agreed and signaled each other to abort this dive lest we get lost in the vast area of Tablas Strait or get plucked as cold meat in Marinduque Island instead -not a very entertaining idea. We ascended safely to 15ft. and after more than 10 minutes, we’re already bobbing up the surface, and had to creatively exit off from the water as the strong waves battered us both back and forth to the side of the boat.

Our second dive came, after spending a couple of minutes doing our surface interval time, we approached the designated dive site. Backrolled and down in the water one after the other, we descended down to 75ft. Better visibility and lesser current this time. Good. We moved towards the contour of the dive site. There were nice thermoclines. I love the cold current rushing in. Nice!

What we saw and noticed was appalling and disheartening. The conditions of the coral reefs and its fish population was bad - almost decimated to bits.

Through years of unabated irresponsible fishing methods such as dynamite fishing, cyanide fishing, compressor diving, fine mesh net entanglements, and unmindful deployment of anchors directly to the corals, have resulted to vast area of destruction.

After surfacing from the dive and both disheartened, Norman and I talked and decided on how and what efforts we can do to help this beautiful place and lovely community to make them more aware, and responsible toward their own environment.

Through our discussions with the local leaders they realized the damages they’ve done and now wants to make amends. The realization was a surprised to them really. Like a bitter pill, now they are all willing to help bring back what was lost. They have set up their own support system as spearheaded by their barangay captain. With limited resources, they have started to proactively guard their reefs and protect it.

As the saying goes, the rest is history. With the idea in mind on how to help bring back alive the coral reefs and those wonderful fish communities in these sites, we have decided to gather all the concerned individuals in the diving industry and those who loves to protect our reefs and coastal environment.

This coming May 20, 2009, starting 8:00 pm, in one O three Bar, Ortigas Home Depot Complex, Julia Vargas Ave., Pasig, will be the place where all those who really care for the Pola Oriental Mindoro Reef Management Project will do their part and pledge their Php100.00 as support to help bring the reefs back to life. Also, the Limited Edition T-shirt will be available on sale at the party venue for only Php350.00 each.

Let us all have fun as we help pledge support this worthwhile endeavor. See you all there. Life is Good!