Tag Archives: underwater photography

Snorkeling in Coron: Siete Pecados vs. Twin Peaks Reef

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When I first set my eyes on Coron back in 2010, I knew it was love at first sight. Since then, I vowed to return as a diver to enjoy Coron’s abundant marine life and mysterious wrecks.

This January 2013, I went back to Coron. And no, I’m not a diver yet. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed snorkeling in Coron.

SIETE PECADOS

During my first visit, my parents and I witnessed the marine life in Siete Pecados. Siete Pecados is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Coron.

It was named as such because it is composed of seven islets scattered on turquoise waters. When you snorkel at Siete Pecados, you would see colorful marine life. However, most of the corals here were dead.

Many years ago, Siete Pecados has been a victim of cyanide and dynamite fishing but now it has been a protected area. As the rehabilitation of corals began, the school of fish returned to the area.

Entrance fee at Siete Pecados is Php 100/head.

TWIN PEAKS REEF

This time around, we snorkeled not in Siete Pecados but at Twin Peaks Reef as part of our Coron Island Tour. The skies were getting darker making the visibility low as well.

Most of my companions were tired. Hence, they stayed on the boat. My thirst for seeking new adventures urged me to still jump into the water. I was the only one who went snorkeling.

As soon as I went farther away from our boat and nearer to the limestone karst formations, that’s when I saw the flourishing marine life at Twin Peaks Reef.

The corals were much more colorful at Twin Peaks Reef rather than in Siete Pecados. Sea urchins abound as well so extra caution must be taken so as not to get pricked.

Seeing an anemone and its resident clown fish made my day! Oh yes, hello there Nemo and friends!  Time was passing by and it was time to bid farewell.

SIETE PECADOS vs. TWIN PEAKS REEF

Between Siete Pecados and Twin Peaks Reef, Twin Peaks Reef has a better and colorful marine life. But I give a thumbs up to the efforts of the locals to rehabilitate the corals in Siete Pecados. Mabuhay sustainable and eco-friendly tourism!

This won’t be the last time, Coron. I’ll keep on coming back to you! :)

El Nido’s Talisay Beach: The good and the bad

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My eyes wandered like a child in awe. I turned my gaze from left to right. Everything seemed so perfect. El Nido is indeed paradise.

After the breathtaking view from Matinloc Island, we headed to Talisay Beach as part of our El Nido Island hopping Tour C. Niel, our tour guide from Servant Tours, told us that we would be eating lunch at the island.

Our boatmen and tour guide acted as cooks as well. Niel impressed us with his garnishing and food styling.

He previously worked at the posh and exclusive Lagen Island Resort but he said he did not have a formal training on food styling. But look, how he did this garden salad.

While others rested under the Talisay tree, I chose to snorkel while waiting for lunch to be cooked. And to my surprise, a school of fish approached me. It was like a fish attack!

Then I later on learned that some tourists were feeding the fish. Hence, the school of fish associated humans with food. Tsk. Not good. Nonetheless, they were harmless.

I continued swimming around. Some corals were dead but there were a few that thrived.

My heart was filled with happiness until I saw this:

When did the fish need soy sauce? The sea is salty to begin with. Sigh. This was one of the effects that tourism do. Yes, it was saddening. We wanted to enjoy the grandeur of nature but then, why aren’t we taking care of it?

After taking a photo, I picked it up and threw it in the garbage bag in our boat. Why am I posting this? It’s a reality check for all of us. Tourism has its good and bad sides. But this can be prevented if we practice responsible and sustainable tourism!

So please, please, please whenever you visit a place, never leave anything but your footprints. Or if you see a trash, care to pick it up. Even if you didn’t throw it, you are responsible. We are responsible. Everyone of us will be affected.

Just imagine, what would happen if the fish ate the plastic? Sooner or later, it will end up in the table for the family to eat. Will you eat the fish that ate plastic? Of course not. It’s a domino-effect.

I hopped on the boat bothered. Until when will Talisay Beach hold its beauty? I hope it would last forever.

Capturing El Nido: I found Nemo!

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Call it excitement. Call it thrill. Despite sleeping late, I woke up early. I couldn’t contain my excitement to see how El Nido looks like. I walked to the balcony of Tay Miloy’s Inn and saw greens draped over the limestone karst surrounding this simple town of El Nido. Wow!

This town captured my heart at first sight. J, Janet and I walked out of the inn to fill our hungry stomachs with breakfast.

The only restaurant that was open at 6:30 am was La Chupetta.

The friendly staff cooked the tapa in front of us. It smelled good. The Tapsilog meal without drink cost me Php 150.00. It may be expensive but it satisfied my taste buds. Meanwhile, J ordered banana pancakes for breakfast.

At around 8:30 am, we walked towards the office of Servant Tours, which is near the jump-off area of the boats. We were joined by a French couple, Johnalyn and her family, a Filipino couple and a Filipina who’s on a solo journey. All in all, there were 11 passengers on the 14-seater boat.

“My name is Niel and I’ll be your tour guide for today. Take nothing but pictures. Kill nothing but time. Don’t step on the corals,” said Niel who began his spiel and warned us not to take shells.

I smiled while I was hearing his spiel. Yes, the locals were learning to take care of their surroundings. I do hope that this message resounded as well with the passengers of the boat.

The owner of Servant Tours, Gerald suggested that we take Tour C because of the sunny weather. We agreed thinking that we can still experience the Secret Beach because of the good weather.

Hidden Beach was our first glimpse of El Nido. From afar, one would not think that there’s a beach hidden behind the limestone karst. Hence, it was named Hidden Beach.

Hidden Beach is a snorkeling site. I was excited to try my new mask. It has  graded lens that would allow me to wear it even without contact lenses. Thank you J :)

At first, I was just seeing the usual fish species that I used to see in other sites until J called my attention and pointed an anemone.

Oh there you are Nemo! Finally, I’ve seen a clown fish! The two of them were guarding their territory.

Even if they’re small, they were brave. They’re ready to attack anyone who come near. I felt something in my leg. I was attacked. haha.

I didn’t mind and continued taking shots until I was satisfied.

The corals underwater were not as colorful but there were different species of fish that swam by.

This was only the beginning of unraveling the wonders of El Nido.

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‘Astronauts’ under the sea

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Astronauts do travel not only in space but under the sea. This was what I discovered in my recent trip to party island in Aklan–Boracay.

It’s my second time to visit this world renowned island. It was January 2009 when we had a sidetrip to the island after our ati-atihan coverage in Kalibo.

Back then, I didn’t enjoy the island much because it was a cloudy and windy January. But this time, yes, it was fun!

choloFrom Shangri-La Boracay in Brgy. Yapak, my family and the rest of the PRU LIFE UK group were ushered to White Blue Diving Service in Station 2. It’s one of the diving Companies which offers Marine Walk/Reef Walking a.k.a. helmet diving.Since we were in a group, the fee is 500 pesos per person. Others offer reef walking for 2,500 per person.

From the shores, we rode a speed boat and was brought to a spot, where the floating platform of White Blue Services was. Only eight people can be accommodated for the thirty-minute marine walk. So we waited until it was our turn to transform into an astronaut. haha.

The lead diver held a briefing first, telling us what to do in case we feel the change of pressure. But what was surprising was when he told us that the helmet that we would be wearing weighs 29 kilograms! But  underwater, it weighs only 1 kg.

Each helmet is connected to an oxgyen tank that allows the person to breathe underwater as if we have gills like the school of fish. Going underwater was made easy by an improvised stairs from the platform. While going down, the diver assisted us in putting the helmet on.

When my feet reached the sea floor and felt the sand, all I can say was wow! Philippines! haha. Another achievement! Twenty-two feet underwater! Thanks to Wish, my Canon D10 to capture the wonders of nature that God made. At first, the diver warned me that my camera might be broken. But I was confident with Canon’s feature that the camera can capture photos up to 33 feet and it’s still under warranty.

Click! Click! Click! Now I know why Disney’s Sebastian loves singing, “Under the sea, under the sea…. Since life is sweet here… We got the beat here naturally.”

There were different species of fish but Nemo was nowhere to be found. I haven’t seen a sea anemone. Good thing, the divers gave us bread and so the school of fish came chasing us. haha. Thirty minutes was not enough for me. I would have wanted to stay longer and shoot more. My canon D10 was really addictive.


If you’ve been longing to dive but you’re not prepared yet for a license, then, helmet diving is for you. You don’t need a license to see and enjoy the treasures down under.