Best Dive Spots In The Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Whether you’re a novice diver or one with years of experience, the Philippines is a perfect destination for your diving vacation. As one of the world’s most stunning diving destinations, the Philippines lets you experience spectacular reefs, UNESCO underwater world heritage sites, mantas and whale sharks, all in wonderfully clear waters.

If you’ve chosen the Philippines as your next diving spot, you’ll want to know which of the many dive sites to head to. Here are some of the best.

1.Amos Rock

Want to go somewhere really remote? Amos Rock is the site for you. Located in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, this site can only be accessed by a liveaboard during the summer months. This world heritage site is the perfect place to spot hundreds of fish and coral species as well as dolphins, whales and sharks. Suitable for intermediate to experienced divers, this site will take at least a week to explore fully.

2.Monad Shoal

If you’re looking for a shark dive, the Monad Shoal is definitely the site for you. If you get down to 100 feet, you’re guaranteed to see at least one thresher shark. It may be a tiny paradise, but the dive will be thrilling, as long as you’re an advanced diver.

3.Puerto Galera

If you’re staying in the capital Manila, Puerto Galera is a very convenient site. You’ll love the crystal clear water, the impressive array of marine life and range of diving environments to enjoy. If you’re a skilled diver, the Canyons dive site is perfect for you. There are 3 stunning canyons here covered with sponges and soft corals. Here, you’ll also see snappers, trevally and barracudas.

4.Apo Reef Natural Park

The Apo Reef Natural park is the world’s second biggest coral reef and is a UNESCO world heritage site. Best accessed from a liveaboard, this remote site is a challenging yet impressive dive. There are several shark species to see here as well as manta rays. However, you’ll need to have a hundred dives under your belt if you’re to dive here.

5. Manta Bowl

This intermediate drift dive covers seven hectares with the Manta Bowl sitting between the Burias and Ticao Passes – well known for their plankton-rich waters. If you love manta rays, you’ve come to the right place as they alleyway has become recognized as a feeding and cleaning station, especially from December to May. You may also see tiger sharks, hammerheads and whale sharks too.

6.Coron Bay

Fancy diving to see some shipwrecks? Make Coron Bay your first stop. There are a number of Second World War sunken Japanese warships here which are now dive sites ripe for exploration. The best is the Okikawa Maru, a site that is perfect for even novice divers.

7.Coconut

Apo Island is close to Dumaguete and while the whole area is an outstanding diving spot, Coconut is an especially outstanding drift dive. Called The Washing Machine by locals, this site is only for experienced divers, however it’s also home to some stunning marine life such as sea turtles and sea kraits.

8.Yapak

Boracay may be well known for its white sandy beaches, but it also hosts some amazing diving sites. Yapak is one of the best with its 106 foot wall where sharks and tuna will float past you. Pygmy seahorses also congregate here along the wall, and the mola mola will sometimes ascend from the depths.

9.Balicasag

If you’re staying near Bohol, head to Balicasag for a true coral reef paradise. Divers’ Heaven is the best spot here – a beautiful 30-130 foot wall dive where fish like barracuda and jacks seem not to notice divers as they pass. The currents are very light here and since you can determine your own depth you’ll cope well with this spot even if you’re a beginner.

10.Manit Muck

If you’re interested in night diving, Manit Muck is the spot for you. Sometimes called Secret Bay, you’ll find some spectacular fish and marine life here including ghost pipefish, mantis shrimp and wonderpus octopus. Fabulous during the day, it’s even better at night.

Don’t forget when you’re heading out to the Philippines that you may not be able to find all the equipment you’ll need for your safety when you arrive. Make sure to take everything you need with you.

ABS-CBN’s “Quezon’s Game” to Premiere in Cinemas

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The multi-awarded period film “Quezon’s Game” directed by Matthew E. Rosen is set to hit Philippine cinemas this May 29, 2019.

Inspired by true events, “Quezon’s Game” pays tribute to former Philippine president Manuel Quezon’s heroism of rescuing around 1,200 Jews seeking refuge from the Holocaust. The film is a joint venture production of Star Cinema, ABS-CBN’s streaming service iWant, and Kinetek Productions, and it stars Raymond Bagatsing, Rachel Alejandro, and Kate Alejandrino.

ABS-CBN held a VIP Screening last May 7, 2019 at Power Plant Mall in Makati City attended by ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN Chairman Martin Lopez, and Head of ABS-CBN Films Olivia Lamasan. Manolo Quezon III represented the Quezon family. Some government officials were also present during the event, namely Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Martin Diño and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

“Very few of us wouldn’t have the chance to live under the era of President Quezon, but his presence is immortalized in the lives of and descendants of more than a thousand people that he saved. President Quezon’s shining legacy is not just to the Philippines but to humanity,” said ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak.

Meanwhile, “Quezon’s Game” director Matthew Rosen emphasized about the compassion Filipinos have, which is reflected in the film. He stated, “This movie isn’t really about politics at all. In fact, this movie isn’t really about the life of Quezon. What this movie to me is really about is that culture that we as Filipinos have in this time where we shone a light of humanity when the rest of the world was drowning in the pity of their war.”

ABS-CBN also presented a video interview of Holocaust survivors Margot Pins Kestenbaum and Max Weissler who received help from Manuel Quezon and are currently living in Israel.

The film is supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and is part of Sandaan, the celebration of the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema. "We are honored that Quezon's Game premieres in the Philippines just in time for our celebration of Sandaan where we recognize our legacy, our heritage, and the people and talents that have led us to the milestone. With films such as ‘Quezon's Game’ which not just educates, but enlightens a meaningful moment in our history, it makes Sandaan all the more significant," said Liza Diño, Chairperson and CEO of FDCP.

“Quezon’s Game” bagged more than 20 awards all over the world, including major prizes from Cinema WorldFest Awards in Canada, IndieFEST Film Awards in California, USA, and WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival in Texas, USA.

Discover the secret in Philippine history as “Quezon’s Game” screens in cinemas this month.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup is coming to the Philippines this 19 to 23 June 2019

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup (MSC), the region’s elite Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) tournament, is coming to Manila this June 19 to 23, 2019. Happening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, MSC 2019 is going to be the biggest and most exciting MLBB esports event to take place in the Philippines.

“MLBB fans here in the Philippines have shown great love for the game and the level of MLBB esports talent here is outstanding. In fact, MSC 2018’s 1st and 2nd place winners were both Filipino teams. It is only fitting for us to have MSC, the region’s most prestigious MLBB esports tournament, right here in Manila. At Moonton, we are proud to have created a game that has resonated well in the SEA region. Much of that success is thanks to the passion shown by our community here, so this one's for you,” said JJ Lin, Esports Manager, Moonton.

MSC 2019: Invited teams and format

MSC will see a total of 12 invited teams from nine different Southeast Asian countries compete for the prestigious title of MSC Champion. Countries with their respective Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional Leagues (MPL) such as the Philippines, Indonesia and Myanmar will each send two teams, with the exception of Malaysia and Singapore which will send one team each. Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are hosting local qualifiers with the winning team from each country qualifying for MSC.

To date, the confirmed teams invited to MSC 2019 are Onic Esports and Louvre Esports from Indonesia (1st and 2nd place winners at MPL-ID Season 3), as well as Malaysia’s Geek Fam and Singapore’s EVOS Esports SG (1st and 2nd place winners at MPL-MY/SG Season 3).

MSC 2019 will kick off with a group stage draw on 4 June 2019 where all participating teams will be drawn into four groups. Fans can catch this draw live on MLBB’s Facebook page. On 19 and 20 June, the group stage will take place to determine which teams get a spot in the upper bracket of the playoffs. The remaining teams will then face off in a play-in round to fight for the last four spots in the lower bracket of the playoffs. Both the play-in round and playoffs will happen on the big stage from June 21 to 23, 2019 at SMART Araneta Coliseum.

“Besides being the main venue of the Philippines Basketball Association, The Big Dome has provided a stage for some truly historic events, such as the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ where boxing legend Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier in 1975. From sports to esports, we’re excited to bring the very first esports event to the iconic SMART Araneta Coliseum,” added Lin.   

The entire tournament including the group stages will be streamed live on Facebook at the official Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Facebook page. More information and details will be released there, so be sure to follow the page at https://www.facebook.com/MobileLegendsOnlinePH/.