The inaugural Philippine Dive Experience was officially launched on Thursday, November 27, with the ceremonial Banging of Air Tanks, led by Tourism SecretaryChristina Garcia Frasco in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas. The event highlighted the Philippines’ standing as a premier global destination for diving and marine biodiversity exploration.
(From left to right) Vietnam Ambassador Lai Binh and wife Mme. Nguyen Thuy, Thailand Ambassador Tull Traisorat, Malaysia Ambassador Malik Melvin, New Zealand Ambassador Dr. Catherin McIntosh, India Ambassador Harsh Kumar Jain and wife Mme. Vandana Jain, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and her son, Bangladesh Ambassador F. M. Borhan Uddin, South Korea Ambassador Lee Sang Hwa and wife Mme. Lee Eun Hwa, Laos Ambassador Sonexay Vannaxay, and Sri Lanka Ambassador Chanaka Talpahewa show the “love” gesture during the launch of the first Philippine Dive Experience program in the popular dive destination Anilao in Mabini, Batangas on November 28, 2024. Photo by the Department of Tourism
Secretary Frasco was joined by distinguished diplomats, including South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Lee Sang Hwa,Bangladesh AmbassadorH.E. F.M Borhan Uddin,Indian AmbassadorH.E. Harsh Kumar Jain,Lao-PDR AmbassadorH.E. Sonexay Vannaxay,Malaysian AmbassadorH.E. Malik Melvin,New Zealand AmbassadorH.E. Catherine McIntosh,Sri Lankan AmbassadorH.E. Chanaka Talpahewa,Thailand AmbassadorH.E. Tull Traisorat, and Vietnam AmbassadorH.E. Lai Binh, along with representatives from Cambodia, China, France, Indonesia, and the United States.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (middle, in white attire) shows the “love” sign while her fellow DOT officials, those from the local government of Mabini municipality and Batangas province, and ambassadors from Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and India, among others, cheer on during the launch of the inaugural Philippine Dive Experience program in popular dive destination Anilao in Mabini, Batangas on November 28, 2024. Photo by the Department of Tourism
The Department of Tourism (DOT) celebrated a record year for Philippine diving, having earned the title of World’s Leading Dive Destination for the sixth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards. The Philippines also received accolades such as Best Dive Destination at the TripZilla Excellence Awards and Best Diving Destination at the Diving Resort Travel Show.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (middle, in white attire), officials of the DOT and the local government in Batangas, and foreign dignitaries ring their respective air tanks to signify the start of the first Philippine Dive Experience program in the popular dive destination Anilao in Mabini, Batangas on November 28, 2024. Photo by the Department of Tourism
Certified divers explored the vibrant underwater landscapes of Anilao, including the LOVE Reef, an artificial reef created through community-driven conservation efforts. For non-divers, guided scuba experiences provided an immersive introduction to the Philippines’ rich marine treasures.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco speaks before the crowd – composed of fellow government officials, tourism stakeholders, and foreign dignitaries – who attend the launch of the inaugural Philippine Dive Experience program in the popular dive destination Anilao in Mabini, Batangas on November 28, 2024. Photo by the Department of Tourism
A coastal cleanup at Anilao Pier underscored the DOT’s commitment to promoting sustainable tourism practices.
