In the Deep with the President

She first took the plunge–twice–two years ago, at the Club Noah and Amanpulo resorts in northern Palawan, in non-certificate intro dives. This time around, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo decided to go for her diver’s certificate, and she did it at what many consider the most beautiful dive site in the world, Tubbataha Reef in Palawan.

Accompanied by dive masters Gigi Santos and Dave Choa of the Safer Diving Development (sdd) International, the President and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo explored the rich marine life around the Amos Rock area of Tubbataha.

They were accompanied on their two 40-minute dives by, among others, daughter Luli who already has 15 dives under her belt, Palawan Governor Joel Reyes, Palawan Congressman Abraham Mitra, Energy Secretary Vince Perez, plus a specially trained and certified group of PSG (Presidential Security Group) divers. An elite group of underwater photographers, led by the internationally acclaimed Robert Yin and STAR photographer Revoli Cortez, went to the depths to record the event.

"This is the best reef in the world," the President enthused, marveling at the amazing variety of mammals, fish and coral in the 32,200-hectare reef. She and the First Gentleman were later presented with their openwater dive certificates.

The President also visited the Tubbataha ranger station, which is tasked to safeguard the unesco-proclaimed World Heritage Site from illegal fishermen and poachers. The couple also took some personal time to admire the spectacular sunset before boarding the Ang Pangulo for the all-night trip up to the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in northern Palawan. –Rosal G. Banzon