To travelers who really wants an adventure and a whole new different experience it is really amazing to try diving and snorkeling on the beautiful beaches of the Philippines. It is an escape to a different environment with all its colorful world, texture, shape and variety of sea creatures. It is an exploration of a whole new dimension of unlimited space with mysteries from shipwrecks, colorful reefs and corals connecting your enthusiasm to mother nature and a whole new world. It is an experience of freedom and transformation that will immerse you with excitement and experience of a different kind of environment. Diving is for for both Sports and Adventure and a feel of eco-tourism at its best.

The Philippines has miles of beaches to boast for diving and snorkeling adventures. You don’t have to be a professional diver to experience the wonderful underwater sport. There are top diving destinations around the country which offers courses for beginners that could earn you a pleasant underwater adventure with a quick crash learning course or dive with guides. There are 2 things necessary as basics for start up learning, as one of my professional diving instructor friend always suggests. One is to be reasonably physically fit and two you need to be able to swim at least 250 meters. Then voila, thats it for you and the rest is just to be able to follow live instructions.

There are places that are specific and suitable for diving in the Philippines which are very well recommended by Dive Buddies, an accredited diving and tour agency which also has a diving learning school in Makati which is also an accredited PADI Scuba Diving Facility. The places are all equipped with rental diving equipments, instructors or guides with inns and resorts that would ensure a perfect adventure and experience.

* Luzon *
Batangas
Anilao and Nasugbu
El Nido
La Union
Puerto Galera
Subic Bay
* Visayas *
Bohol
Boracay
Camiguin
Cebu
Dumaguete
Guimaras
Leyte
* Mindanao *
Dakak
Davao
Misamis Oriental
Sarangani Bay

What is Gintong Alay ?

Gintong Alay was the flagship sports project created by former President Ferdinand Marcos on October 31, 1979 primarily for athletics development to restore Filipinos rightful place as among the top sports champions in Asia. The project was designed to promote dedication and commitment to sports in its campaign to harvest gold medals in international sports events as part of the integral national goals of the country and also the Filipino way of life. In order to provide the best outcome for athletes, scientific programs and trainings were required and with these comes resources, materials and funding thus the program was created. In such a short time of its operation, success was foreseen and on May 2, 1980 the project expanded its scope of sports development and included 17 more other sport categories, was elevated to a national project with educational fund campaigns supported by both the government and joined by the private sectors.

Michael Edward Keon, the no-nonsense young person and a man who has his own reputation for excellence and is known as a competent administrator given his background in positions of leadership in sports, was appointed as head of the project and also was nephew of then President Marcos. Michael Keon was the son of Marcos sister, the fiery Elizabeth who was then the governor of Ilocos Norte and married to Australian Michael James Keon who worked for the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, and who was involved in the “Green Revolution Campaign” during the time of the late beloved President Ramon Magsaysay and had a hand in setting up the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna.

The first successful member of Gintong Alay was Lydia de Vega, a lissome lass from Bulacan who came to the scene and cracked the national record in the 100 and 400 meters track. De Vega became the darling of track and field events and was named the “Sprint Queen of Asia” by winning the 100 m gold medal in New Delhi in 1982 South East Asian Games and duplicating her feat in the SEA Games in Seoul, South Korea 4 years later. Along with her success came other champions such as 400 m male counter part Isidro del Prado who also bagged golds for the country with steeplechaser Hector Begeo, hurdler Renato Unso and a host of other athletes that included the basketball team spearheaded by Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.

While the success of the project boomed during the 80’s, it deteriorated after the ouster of Marcos in February 1982. The project was stalled for a decade and was brought back during the early part of the 90’s. Though brought back to be a part of the Philippine Olympic Committee’s added project, funding and resources from the private sectors had diminished and participation of individuals from schools nationwide through the Palarong Pambansa had shortened.

With so many talents around the country just waiting to be tapped, I hope that the congress and senate with the help of the national sports committee, government and private sector could formulate and support a way of resuscitating a golden project like this. It would allow us to show once again that the Philippines is a mighty powerhouse country to be beaten in sports and would once again add fame and glory through sporting events and would indirectly help the travel and tourism industry.

Another milestone in the Land of Rice And Corn for Filipino Boxers at the Araneta Coliseum. The fights promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and ALA Promotions with support organized by ABS-CBN saw thousands of Filipinos cheering. Calling the organized scheduled fights as Invasion: The Philippines versus The World.

Michael Domingo swiftly knocked out his Thai opponent Thepnemit Sor Chitpattana early in the second round.

Bert “Ninja” Batawang did his share of glory for the Filipinos by out classing his smaller opponent from Indonesia, Heri Amol, by a body shot that sent him to the ropes and a KO in the seventh round.

In a bloody match between Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales and Korean Yoo Shin Kim, the referee stopped the fight at 2:24 of the fifth round declaring the pinoy boxer winner of a TKO. Morales kept his clean slate record of 11-0 and retained his WBO Oriental Super Bantam Weight title.

AJ “Bazooka” Banal, now the number one contender for the IBF Super Flyweight Division, destroyed Caril Herrera of Uruguay by a TKO at 1:18 of the fourth round with a barrage of left and right punches. Also seen, Herrera dropped down with hooks and punches from Banal in the 3rd round.

Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista won in the seventh round via KO defeating Mexican Genaro Camargo and retained his WBO Inter-Continental Super Bantam Weight Strap. Bautista, with his thunder and lightning fast punches and hooks floored the Mexican also twice in the second round with a loud cheering from Filipino fans at the Big Dome.

In the main bout, Gerry “The Fearless” Penalosa brought glory once again for the Philippines and defied the odds fighting at 35 years old, winning the World Boxing Organization’s Bantam Weight crown in the 8th round with a right uppercut that sent his opponent Thailand boxer Ratanachai Sor Vorapin to the floor. Vorapin was aggressive through out the fight but missed the punches he threw at Penalosa as he dodged the punches. Gerry was as patient as a boxer and waited for the right momentum to throw a bombardment of punches to knock down his opponent. He was supported by his friend Manny Pacquiao.

A lot of star studded guest were present at the Big Dome including former World Boxing Council Super-Featherweight Champ Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico who lost the belt to Manny Pacquiao earlier last month. After the bout in an interview, saw Juan Manuel issuing a return bout with Manny Pacquiao. Pacman replied very politely and said that negotiations is based upon his managers and staff decision. He also welcomed the Mexican to have a nice stay in the Philippines.

Mabuhay Kayong Lahat, Pinoy Boxers and continue to give glory to the Philippines.

Lets get away with some good news scoop in the world of Philippine Sports. I just saw in the news at the Kapamilya Channel (TFC) that the “Pacman” Manny Pacquiao had won the World Boxing Council Super-Featherweight Title, beating his opponent Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico by a split unanimous decision last Saturday March 15 at Las Vegas, Nevada. I did not saw the whole 12 rounds but just bit and pieces, but the Mexican almost got away with win. Medyo nakita natin na may mga rounds na dehado si Pacman but overall he took control most of the rounds especially in the early stages of the fight when he knocked down the opponent for a few counts. At the later stages of the bout Manny threw a punch that cut the Mexican fighters eye and the next round we saw the Mexican cutting Manny’s eyebrow. Overall it was the aggresiveness and genius fighting of Manny that took him to be the champion. That being, said panibagong karangalan na naman sa Pilipinas and more salapi na naman for Manny and staff. Mabuhay ka Manny Pacquiao and more power to you.

By the way, in commemoration of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s win, the Filipino people wanted to honor you and give you their best wishes by printing this memorable and unforgettable five (5) Peso with your face on it.

Manny Pacquiao’s Fistful of Peso

Biro lang po.

Our well wishes to you Manny and may you harvest more international gold and glory for our country. Mabuhay Ka.