Bohol's PADI Tide Dive Festival: A Triumphant Return to the Deep, Forging a Future of Sustainable Tourism

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

In a powerful demonstration of environmental stewardship and a major strategic push to reclaim its title as a premier dive destination, Bohol successfully hosted the PADI Tide Dive Festival on Saturday, November 8, 2025. With the Bohol Beach Club in Panglao serving as the stunning backdrop , the festival captivated the Chinese market and underscored the Philippines' profound commitment to sustainable dive tourism.

A Dive for Conservation

The festival was a joint effort organized by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the Department of Tourism (DOT) Shanghai Office, in partnership with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) China. The core goal was to re-establish the Philippines as the top choice for the rapidly expanding Chinese market while deeply embedding the values of marine conservation and cultural immersion.

The commitment to ocean health was vividly displayed when 100 Chinese divers and five PADI ambassadors dove into the tropical waters of Panglao Island. Their mission: the removal of the invasive crown-of-thorns starfish.

This crucial conservation activity, guided by local marine NGOs and PADI's Project AWARE , showcased the Philippines' deep commitment to ocean sustainability.

TPB COO Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles stated that by including conservation activities, "we invite Chinese divers to actively participate in preserving our world-class marine biodiversity," which will be instrumental in making the Philippines "among the premier and most responsible dive destinations in Asia".

Shaping the Future of Dive Tourism

In the afternoon, the focus shifted from the water to the sand with a vital beachside dialogue and panel discussion. Stakeholders convened to explore critical topics:

Sustainable tourism models 

Marine conservation best practices 

Innovative dive industry partnerships 

The clear objective was to ensure that the continued growth of dive tourism in Bohol is managed responsibly, thereby preserving the destination's rich biodiversity for future generations. The festival was strategically designed to position Bohol as the ideal destination for travelers seeking rich marine life, world-class dive sites, and a trusted network of PADI-certified dive centers.

A Celebration of Adventure, Heritage, and Hospitality

The main event was a lively celebration, underscoring the united national and local efforts to welcome back international visitors.

The celebration featured remarks from key officials, including Francis Lardizabal (Tourism Attaché for PDOT Shanghai Office), Riza Marie S. Macaibay (Supervising Tourism Operations Officer for DOT Central Visayas Region), and Ms. Joanne Pinat (Officer-in-charge of the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office).

Guests were treated to the spirited cultural performances of the WinArts Dance Anatomy and Lumad Panglaoanon Cultural Dance Troupe.

These performances proved that Bohol offers a unique blend of adventure, heritage, and genuine Filipino hospitality.

The memorable day concluded with networking and a grand raffle where participants won prizes like dive gear, resort accommodations, and sponsored airline tickets.

TPB COO Nograles encapsulated the festival's success, stating, "The PADI Tide Dive Festival in Bohol elevates the Philippines' brand, showcasing our commitment to both high-value tourism and sustainability". The success firmly anchors the Philippines' commitment to high-quality tourism and environmental stewardship.

Acknowledgments

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines extended its sincere gratitude to the Provincial Government of Bohol, led by Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, for their invaluable support.

Sponsors and partners recognized for making the event possible include:

Bohol Beach Club 

The Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Inc. (BAHRR) 

The Department of Tourism Central Visayas Region 

This milestone event sets a powerful benchmark for future international engagements, proving that the Philippines is ready to welcome the world back to its magnificent underwater kingdom with a focus on preservation and responsible growth.

The Rise of the Phoenix: How the Philippines is Reclaiming its Destiny Through the Humble Coconut

Wazzup Pilipinas?!

A Nation's Crisis, a Golden Opportunity

The narrative of the Philippine coconut industry has long been a story of potential shackled by neglect. For decades, the 25 million Filipinos whose lives revolve around the "Tree of Life" faced fragmentation, low yields, and an uncertain global market.

But a seismic shift is underway.

Addressing the Coconut Farmers Cooperative Summit in Davao City, the collective voices of government, industry champions, and, crucially, the farmers themselves, declared a new era. This is not just an industry plan; it is a national crusade to transform a struggling sector into a thriving, resilient, and inclusive engine of economic growth.

The Big Bold Bet: 100 Million Palms and $52.9 Billion

The scale of the ambition is breathtaking.

The cornerstone of this crusade is the BAYANIHAN Campaign, spearheaded by PCA Administrator Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., with a singular, immense goal: to plant and rehabilitate 100 million coconut palms by 2028.

This isn't just about planting; it’s about transformation. By 2034, the Philippines aims to:

 * Add 3.9 billion nuts to the supply chain.

 * Grow the annual nut yield to 6.4 billion nuts.

 * Create massive opportunities for farmers, suppliers, processors, and exporters.

This push is vital because, in 2023, the industry already accounted for a massive $52.9 billion in coconut oil and derivative exports, supporting 37% of the total coconut farming global trade. The goal is to not just maintain, but aggressively grow, this global footprint.

Fortifying the Future: R.E.S.I.L.I.E.N.T. Farmers

The transformation starts with the people who till the land. The government’s renewed commitment is visible through several key initiatives:

1. Economic Empowerment and Credit

The revised CFIDP 2024-2028 ensures that farmers, through their registered cooperatives, gain:

 * Access to Capitalization: Easier and faster access to credit.

 * Modern Facilities: Shared processing facilities to boost quality and efficiency.

 * Bargaining Power: Stronger market leverage and direct connection to buyers.

2. Education and Skills Training

The TESDA/ATI training programs offer crucial skills in crop production, entrepreneurship, GAP (Good Agricultural Practices), and cooperative governance. Over 7,000 scholars have already graduated, proving that expertise is the new fertilizer.

3. Health and Welfare

Beyond the farm, the focus is on the farmer’s well-being. This includes expanded health, medical, and social programs, including free check-ups, diagnostics, medicines, and surgical assistance through partners like PhilHealth and PCSO.

From Seedling to Global Powerhouse

The strategy is a multi-pronged attack on traditional weaknesses:

The Planting Revolution

The Coconut Fertilization Program (CFP) is injecting life into existing farms. It aims to fertilize 170 million nutrient-deficient palms and target 2025 to fertilize 19.66 million palms to boost yield immediately by 25-50%.

The Innovation Factory

The sector is embracing modern science. Research and development, including tissue culture and biotechnology, are essential to develop resilient, high-yielding, and climate-resistant coconut varieties. This includes the push for intercropping, and the promotion of value-added products like coco sugar, coir, VCO, and virgin coconut oil.

The Culinary Connection

The establishment of Coconut Culinary aims to connect the industry directly to the hospitality and culinary sectors. By linking production to high-end consumption, the industry ensures a stable, quality domestic market while elevating the global profile of Philippine coconut products.

A Call to Unity: The Power of Cooperation

Ultimately, this success story hinges on cooperation.

“The greatest strength is the unity of cooperative leaders and the story of the new Filipino, mature, capable, and responsive to the times, for employment and livelihood opportunity.”

The message is clear: the future of the coconut industry will be farmer-owned, empowered, and innovation-driven. Through strong partnerships with the PCA, CDA, PhilHealth, DTI, and COOP-NABAGO, the industry is transitioning from survival to prosperity.

This is the promise: to build an industry that is masagana (abundant), maunlad (progressive), and maginhawa (prosperous). The humble coconut is no longer just a commodity; it is the symbol of the Philippines' resilient spirit and its thriving, inclusive future.

DOST-TAPI Lunduyan 2025: Pagtatagpo ng Dunong at Paglalakbay ng Inobasyon

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

“Sumisilip na ang liwanag, hudyat ng paglalayag…” Sa pagpasok ng himig na ito mula sa opisyal na awitin ng Lunduyan, malinaw ang isinasalaysay: may bagong kabanata na namang binubuksan para sa mga pinoy inventors, innovators, technopreneurs, at katuwang na institusyon ng bansa. At sa pagdiriwang noong Nobyembre 7, 2025 sa Alabang, Muntinlupa City, matagumpay na ginunita ng Department of Science and Technology -Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) ang Lunduyan 2025, ang taunang pagtitipong muling naglaan ng pagkakataon para sa pagkilala, pag-uugnay, at pagbibigay-halaga sa mga teknolohiyang Pilipino.

Lunduyan Bilang Tagpuan ng Ugnayan at Paglikha

Ngayong taon, tampok ang dalawampu’t-apat (24) na aprubadong proyekto para sa taong 2025 at apat (4) na matagumpay na proyektong unang itinanghal sa Lunduyan noong 2024. Sa kabuuan, ang dalawampu't walong (28) teknolohiyang ipinamalas ay nagpapatunay ng lumalawak na kakayahan ng Filipino innovators at ng patuloy na paggabay ng DOST-TAPI sa kanilang paglalakbay, mula sa pagbuo ng ideya, paggawa ng prototype, pagsusuri, hanggang sa pagsulong sa merkado. Ang Lunduyan ay nabuo bilang isang sentrong nagsisilbing tagpuan ng iba’t ibang sektor, industriya, at adbokasiya. Sa bawat taong pagdaraos nito, mas tumitibay ang layunin nitong lumikha ng puwang kung saan maaaring makilala, maipakilala, at mapagtibay ang mga proyektong may kakayahang baguhin ang buhay, kabuhayan, at kinabukasan ng komunidad. Bilang pangunahing ahensya sa ilalim ng DOST para sa commercialization support, ang DOST-TAPI ang gumagabay sa mga teknolohiyang Pilipino upang makatawid mula laboratoryo patungong lipunan. Sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga inisyatibo, inilalapit nila ang agham at inobasyon sa merkado bilang tugon sa pangangailangan ng bawat mamamayan.

Sa kanyang pambungad na mensahe, ibinahagi ni Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena, Director ng DOST-TAPI, na ang Lunduyan ay hindi lamang pagtatanghal ng mga proyektong matagumpay na naisakatuparan, kundi isang patunay na nagtatagpo ang agham, teknolohiya, at pangarap upang makabuo ng mga solusyong tunay na makabuluhan. Binigyang-diin niya kung papaano nakakatulong ang DOST-TAPI sa mga Filipino innovator sa pamamagitan ng mga programang tulad ng Grants and Assistance to Leverage Innovations for National Growth o GALING Program, Technology Innovation for Commercialization o TECHNiCOM Program, at Expanded Venture Financing Program o EVFP ay nagiging gabay ng paglalakbay tungo sa commercialization. “Mula sa ideation, prototyping hanggang commercialization, kayo ay patunay na kapag pinagsama-sama ang siyensya, dedikasyon, at suporta, walang imposible,” banggit pa ni Director Decena.

Naki-isa rin sa pagdiriwang si Asec. Napoleon K. Juanillo, Jr., DOST Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications, and Commercialization, na naghatid ng mensahe sa ngalan ni DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. Ipinahayag niya na ang Lunduyan ay isang larawan ng kapangyarihan ng pagkakabuklod-buklod at pagtutulungan at ng tibay ng loob ng mga Pilipinong innovator. Sa kanyang talumpati, binigyang diin niya ang pag-angat ng bansa sa Global Innovation Index 2025 mula Rank 53 tungo sa Rank 50 at kung paanong ang mga inisyatibo ng DOST-TAPI ay may malaking ambag dito. Aniya, ang mga kwento ng tagumpay sa Lunduyan ay hindi lamang kwento ng teknolohiya, kundi kwento ng pag-asa at pag-unlad na kayang marating ng sambayanang Pilipino sa tulong ng agham at inobasyon.

Mga Kuwento ng Tagumpay at Pag-usbong

Isa sa mga itinampok na kwento ng tagumpay ngayong taon ang DOON Transport Technologies Inc., proponent ng TECHNiCOM Program, na patuloy na lumalawak bilang pioneer ng peer-to-peer car-sharing sa bansa. Mula sa simpleng ideya tungkol sa hindi pantay na access sa mobility, nakamit nila ang 6x increase sa angel funding, mahigit 5,000 verified users, 700 na sasakyang naka-register, at operasyon sa higit 90 lungsod sa buong Pilipinas. Sa mga salitang binitawan ni Miguel Locsin, co-founder ng DOON: “The breakthrough came when DOST-TAPI believed in our mission. Their support didn’t just fund us, it validated us.” Dahil sa tulong ng TAPI, nakapagpatibay sila ng legal groundwork at nakapagsagawa ng pag-aaral na makatutulong para sa pagbuo ng mga patakaran tungkol sa car-sharing sa bansa.

Kasama rin sa mga kinilala si Alvin Phoebe Artemis Valdez, founder ng Farmesto Technologies Inc., proponent ng GALING Program, na nagpaunlad ng AI-based dosing system para sa greenhouse operations. Ayon kay Valdez, ang kanilang inobasyon ay nabuo mula sa pagnanais na tugunan ang paulit-ulit na hamon sa agrikultura tulad inefficiency, unpredictability, at kakulangan sa data-driven insights. Sa tulong ng GALING Program, na-enhance nila ang kanilang prototype at nagkaroon ng access sa mga tools at network na kailangan upang maipakilala ang teknolohiya sa merkado. Sa kanyang talumpati, binigyang-diin niya na “Ang tunay na inobasyon ay hindi lamang technical novelty, kundi ang kakayahang lutasin ang tunay na problema ng magsasaka.”

Hindi rin nagpahuli ang FASI Form System sa ilalim ng Innovation and Technology Lending Program o ii-TECH Lending Program. Mula sa pangarap noong dekada ‘70 na lumikha ng mas matibay at reusable panel forms kapalit ng plywood, ipinamalas ni Frederick Erum kung paano nagiging solusyon ang teknolohiya sa mga hamon ng industriya ng konstruksyon. Sa tulong ng i-TECH Loan, napanatili nila ang buffer stock at naipatupad ang rental system upang mas mabilis na tugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga contractor. Ayon kay Erum, “Napakahalaga ng tulong ng gobyerno. It gives inventors like us the confidence to keep building solutions for the country.”

Isang Simula at Pagtatagpo sa Susunod na Yugto

Sa kabuuan ng pagdiriwang, hindi lamang mga teknolohiya ang ipinakita kundi ang mga mukha, boses, at pangarap na bumubuo sa innovation ecosystem ng Pilipinas. Ang seremonya ng parangal para sa mga 2025 Invention and Innovation Champions, ang pagpapakilala sa mga bagong inisyatiba, at ang paglagda sa MOU kasama ang AHG Lab ay nagsisilbing patunay na lumalawak ang komunidad na kumikilala sa agham at teknolohiya bilang sa pangunahing haligi tungo sa kaunlaran ng bansa.

Sa pagtatapos ng programa, muling umalingawngaw ang mga linya ng awitin: “Ang tadhana’y luukit na ng mga palad mo, ipapakita ang pagiging malikhain mo…” At sa pagbalik-tanaw ng lahat sa mga inobasyong nakita at mga kuwentong narinig, naging malinaw na ang Lunduyan ay hindi isang destinasyon, ito ay pinanggagalingan ng susunod na yugto.

Isang tagpuan kung saan nagsisimula ang panibagong paglalakbay.

Isang sentro kung saan nagtatagpo ang agham, talino, at pag-asa.

Isang paalala na ang inobasyon ay patuloy na nabubuhay sa bawat Pilipinong handang mangarap at kumilos.

Sa pagtatapos ng pagtitipon, iisa malinaw na mensahe ang iniwan sa bawat dumalo:

Magtatagpo tayong muli. Magtatagpo sa Lunduyan.

_____________________________________________________________________

Lunduyan serves as the annual culminating event of DOST-TAPI, highlighting approved invention and innovation projects that embody the nation’s scientific and technological progress. Symbolizing the convergence of diverse sectors, industries, and advocacies, Lunduyan celebrates the collective journey toward a more connected and empowered society through science, technology, and innovation.

The Department of Science and Technology - Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) is among the DOST’s service agencies tasked to promote technology commercialization and innovation support services, created under the Executive Order No.128 on 30 January 1987.

For more information about DOST-TAPI’s programs and services, you may email info@tapi.dost.gov.ph, call (02) 8582 1450, or visit the official DOST-TAPI Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DOST.TAPI.

IN PHOTO (from left to right): Dr. Annabelle V. Briones, Director of Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI); Atty. Lucieden G. Raz, Deputy Director of Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI); Engr. Maria Teresa Bien De Guzman, Assistant Secretary for Countryside Development of DOST; Dr. Teodoro Gatchalian, Undersecretary for Special Concerns of DOST; Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena, Director of Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI); Dr. Napoleon K. Juanillo, Jr., Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications, and Commercialization, along with DOST-TAPI partners and supported innovators.