Months after the expedition, we asked Oceana’s Senior Campaign Manager Danny Ocampo to look back at his favorite photos from Panaon Island. It wasn’t an easy task given how biodiverse Panaon’s reefscape is, but Danny lists down his three photos and anecdotes that go with it. Since returning to dry land a couple of weeks ago after the expedition, I only managed to sneak in one dive since I … Read more
For our final Scientist Spotlight, we feature no other than Oceana’s very own and Panaon Expedition Team Leader, Mar Saniano. From staying up late to watch documentaries on television, she ably coordinated the latest Oceana scientific expedition to protect the coral reefs of the Philippines. What made you decide to become a marine scientist? Early in my childhood, my sister and I were very fond … Read more
Yvette Lee is the Vice President of the Discovery Fleet but this award-winning underwater photographer found it hard to resist the call of the ocean. She volunteered to be part of the documentary team and we are more than thankful to have an eye like hers to capture the gems of Panaon. Can you tell us about how you got started … Read more
Planning an expedition under normal circumstance is hard enough in itself. But an expedition during a pandemic? No mean feat. Let’s talk to Dr. Edna De Castro, the expedition team’s doctor onboard and learn how meticulous planning kept the entire crew safe and healthy during their journey. How different is it to provide medical support to an expedition compared to … Read more
Off Liloan Port | A sleepy-looking cuttlefish (Sepia sp.) poses for a photo. © Oceana/Danny Ocampo
This article was written by Alvin Simon, Oceana Marine Scientist. We have lost half of the world’s coral reefs in the last 30 years. It is projected that in the next century, only about 10 percent of our coral reefs will survive if we do not put an end to unsustainable practices and overexploitation … Read more
Hon. Roy Y. Salinas, Mayor of San Ricardo, Southern Leyte reveals their municipality’s initiatives to strengthen their MPAs. Can you tell us about the Benit-Timba MPA? What can be found in this MPA? Benit-Timba MPA was established in 1996 through an initiative of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ Fishery Sector Program. It was managed by … Read more
Hon. Rustico Estrella Sr., Mayor of Pintuyan, Southern Leyte reveals their municipality’s initiatives to strengthen their MPAs. Can you tell us about the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Pintuyan? What can be found in these MPAs? Pintuyan has six MPAs and two marine reserves. These are situated in the following coastal barangays, namely: Nueva Estrella Norte – Nueva Estrella Norte MPA/MR (total area: … Read more
Hon. Fe G. Maruhom, Mayor of San Francisco, Southern Leyte reveals their municipality’s initiatives to strengthen their MPAs. Can you tell us about the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in San Francisco? What can be found in these MPAs? San Francisco currently has three MPAs, as follows: Napantao MPA This was established in the 1990s after Mr. Rio Cahimbing discovered the famous “Rio’s Wall” which … Read more
Hon. Shirlita Chong, Mayor of Liloan, Southern Leyte reveals their municipality’s initiatives to strengthen their MPAs. Can you tell us about the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in San Francisco? What can be found in these MPAs? The four marine protected areas of Liloan were established thru the collaborative efforts of the different agencies as well as stakeholders. NGOs, national, … Read more