Divers Night Party, May 20, 2009.

MAY 25, 2009, At HomeOffice, 12:05am -- Dust has finally settled from much fanfare and excitement from our first Divers Night Party 2009 event that was co-produced and managed with Myke Brazil-Legaspi. We worked on this event just three weeks back, but the main reason why we want to have this party goes beyond that time. 

We agreed  to create an event that would help bring about the reef rehabilitation program of the municipal town of Pola, 78kms. east of Calapan City, in Oriental Mindoro. This once magnificent town shows its old luster through its old magnificent old houses akin to those seen in Vigan, in the Ilocos Province. Though faded in its olden days' glory, like to those glorious grand dame of its pristine past, through its beautiful woodworks and iron-crafts, it still wields the respect that history gives her. The town of Pola may have faded its old spanish glory days, but through the heart and soul of its people it is still alive. You can still see and experience the beautiful smiles of each Poloanos that you come across when one visits the town.

 

Tragically, it is different on the condition and state of their coral reefs and fish sanctuaries. Last April 6-8, 2009, through the invitation and efforts of their mayor, Hon. Alex Aranas, together with a good friend and scuba-diving  professional  Norman  Garcia, a  native  of 

Pola, we decided to do a exploratory dives to check and assess the actual state of the coral reefs on their town's water boundaries. Armed with our dive gears, experience, and sheer craziness, we explored the sites. Despite the initial dangers we have encountered (strong current, deep dive, low visibility) we moved on and scanned the sites. It was disheartening to see majority of the supposedly fish sanctuary is either dead or nearly in its dying state. We learned later on that three years before that, there was unabated illegal fishing in the area like dynamite fishing, use of cyanide, compressor diving, and others. Surfacing, Norman and myself decided to do our little efforts together and work something to help bring back the beauty of the coral reefs of Pola come back alive. From then on, the idea of bringing back and help rehabilitate the reefs of Pola, Oriental Mindoro, came about and the driving force why we're going to have this project long-term. Through the help of our valued event sponsors, fellow believers in the scuba-diving industry from open-water divers to dive instructors, banding together to help this worthwhile endeavor.

The May 20, 2009 Divers Night Party was without a doubt, a complete success! We filled up our venue, One-O-Three Bar, to the rafters. We have seen a fusion of diving, recreational divers, non-divers, and our valued patrons. We've seen a lot of new faces, we seen old friends and dive buddies, all glad to see each other, welcome each other like an old high school reunion. Everyone express delight about the event and are all more than willing to help this rehabilitation project see through until its completion. A lot are asking when do they sign up to volunteer to dive, asking when will the next project be.    Through the generous support of our sponsors 

everyone came home winning once or twice some goodies - from the 3d/2n cruise trip to Coron Palawan (courtesy of 7107 Island Cruise), which was luckily won by an open-water diver! And to other prizes like accommodations to dive trips in Sorsogon, in Anilao Batangas, and other goodies. You could see everyone have a big smile of happiness from their faces (fueled up by free unlimited 

shots of Jagermeister - our sponsor).   The party started of and ended with everyone wanting to do something about the environment. They all said, " its about time that we do something worthwhile! ", and all are looking forward to the next step of the project. As we now work for the development of the next Divers Night Party 2009, rest assured that our commitment to help rehabilitate the coral reefs of Pola will be the driving force behind every fun event and party that we will work thereon.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who believed and supported us in this first event -- our sponsors: One-O-Three Bar, Jagermeister, Pacific Blue Dive Center, ScubaOne.net, FunDiveAsia, Vistamar Beach Resort, 7107 Island Cruise, 300Bar/Halcyon, Mares Dive Gears, Mayumi Resort, Beauty & Wellness Options; our media partners: BusinessMirror, Philippine Graphic Magazine, Inquirer.net Sports, Yehey.com, WaterBoy.ph, PhilStar.com; offset printer: Beyond Paper Company.

We are already on the planning stage for our next schedule for the Divers Night Party 2009! All those who came and partied with us would be treated to something special. Just wait for our next announcement, and surely it will be more fun than ever.  

Indeed, life is good!