Sports
If one asks a Filipino anywhere in The Country side what is the national sport of the archipelago he might answer: cockfighting (sabong). Accordingly, cockpits are usually not just named "cockpits" but more commonly "sports arenas". However, as cockfighting has betting as its main aspect, it is discussed under entertainment. Also included under entertainment are horse racing and jai-alai even though they have sporting aspects as well.
For the foreign visitor, the main sports attraction of the Philippines is diving.
Diving
With its more than 7,000 islands and 34,000 sqkm (13,127 sqmi) of coral reefs, the Philippines has some of the best diving locations in the world. They are spread over numerous sites that encompass the most fascinating underwater scenes that exist.
Diving is offered at resorts throughout the Philippines. The high class resorts often have their own diving schools regardless of whether the site of the resort is particularly suitable for diving.
However, for some of the high class resorts, the diving facilities are a major selling point. This is for example true of the El Nido Resort and a number of resorts in Batangas province, especially near Anilao. But there too, diving is offered just as one among several recreational opportunities of the resort hotels.
There are three main sites in the Philippines where a number of independent diving schools operate: Puerto Galera, on Mindoro Island. Moalboal on Cebu Island, and Boracay off Panay Island. As a matter of fact, Puerto Galera is likely the most suitable site for diving schools and camps. There are at least 25 fascinating sites close to Puerto Galera, which is also the ideal starting point for dive excursions to Apo Reef, the single most exciting dive site in the Philippines which is, however, only a site for experienced divers.
Moalboal has a number of dive sites but they are not as plentiful or beautiful as those around Puerto Galera. And Boracay is a place for swimming and wind surfing rather than for diving.
As there are seven diving schools and dive camps in Puerto Galera alone, there is a lot of competition that largely benefits the customer. Diving lessons and dive excursions cost about half in Puerto Galera of what they cost at diving schools of luxury resorts in other parts of The Country .
But competition exists not only in prices but also in the field of quality. The diving schools and dive camps in Puerto Galera are on the whole not only cheaper than diving schools at luxury resorts, they are also better equipped. There is a wide selection of diving suits and equipment for rent so the visiting diver does not have to bring anything along; the diving schools at Puerto Galera all have equipment of the latest technology, and there is competition as to which dive camp has the best boats; this results in all of them having fairly good boats.
At Puerto Galera, diving courses according to the PADI system are available in many languages as many of the instructors are foreigners who have settled in the Philippines. Courses are available at least in English, German, French, Spanish, Swedish, and Japanese.
Common prices for dive courses in Puerto Galera are: Open Water Diver $ 180; Advanced Open Water Diver $ 150; Rescue Diver $ 200; Dive Master $ 350; Assistant Diving Instructor $ 200. Generally, groups of two or more dive students can get a 10% discount if they enroll together.
The common rates for dives are: 1 dive 400 pesos; 2 dives on the same day 650 to 700 pesos; 10 separate dives if paid in advance 3500 pesos. Divers with their own suit and equipment can get discounts.
Diver's Organizations
PCSSD (Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving), Tourism Bldg, Rizal Park, Ermita, Tel 59-90-31 is an organization charged with over-seeing the development, promotion and professionalization of the diving industry in The Country . It is further charged with undertaking marine conservation projects in areas of high tourist value.
The following diving organizations do not have offices at any specific address in the Philippines but they are represented and operate through the various diving equipment shops and diving resorts.
PADI - Professional Association of Diving Instructors (US oriented, recognized all over the world)
NAUI - National Association of Underwater Instructors (US oriented, recognized all over the world)
ADS - Japanese oriented, small group of instructors
CMAS - Confederation Mondiale des Activities Sub-aquatique (French oriented, small group of instructors)
Diveshops in Metro Manila
There are several well-equipped, professionally run, full service dive shops within Manila. Due to import duties, the Philippines is not the cheapest place to buy equipment, but it is comparable to most other developing countries.
There is a wide range of brands available, and most dive shops carry comprehensive spares and have repair facilities. State of the art equipment is carried by most shops and much of the rental gear is of a high standard.
Many of the larger department stores, such as Robinson's, Rustan's and Shoemart chains, carry a limited range of scuba diving equipment, masks and snorkels, as does American Sports Plaza, in Harrison Plaza, across from the Central Bank, and in Makati on Makati Avenue. However, the scope of equipment offered and the quality are not as good as in the specialized dive shops, and the prices charged are high.
Aquaventure, Matrinco Building, 2178 Pasong Tamo, Makati, Tel 85-19-96, is a dive shop that has been in continuous operation since 1974. Under the sure hand of Em Em Castillo, Aquaventure carries US Divers, Techni-sub, Tekna, Tabata, Suunto and Aqualung Japan equipment, and is an agent for Poseiden Compressors. They have a full range of rental equipment, as well as air fills and complete maintenance facilities.
The shop is a pleasant place to browse and the staff, all enthusiastic divers, are well versed in Philippine dive sites. Aquaventure has an in-house instructor for the NAUI system, though they have PADI instructors available on stand-by, and require a minimum of 4 students to run an Open Water class. The cost is 3500 pesos, including all equipment, pool, classroom and certification fees; ocean dives, at additional cost, are conducted at the Aquaventure Reef Club, a 20 room resort in Bagalangit, Batangas, owned and operated by Aquaventure.
Divemate Philippines is a service-oriented dive shop situated at 2172-B Pasong Tamo, Makati, Tel 816-03-66, 88-02-22, 86-31-94, and in operation since 1985. Divemate carries a wide range of gear, including Scubapro, Sherwood, Cressi-sub, Mares, Spare Air and Caballero. Divemate is also an agent for Bauer compressors, and has complete maintenance facilities for the above and other name brands.
Divemate is also the exclusive agent for Australian Lycra Sea Suits, perfect for local diving conditions, and also have custom-made wet suits for sale. Full equipment rentals and medical grade air fills are available at reasonable prices.
The proprietress has been involved with the diving industry for many years, and has had an active role in the promotion of the Philippines as a diving destination throughout her career.
Divemate offers a personalized, professional service to all it's clients, whether they simply browse or take advantage of the store's expertise at package dive trips aboard dive boats and at dive resorts.
Diver training is offered at all levels up to Assistant Instructor by 4 instructors using the PADI, NAUI, SSI and NASDS systems. Open Water (beginner level) classes are scheduled every Monday, although classes can be tailored to individual requirements.
Regular classes are held in the evenings throughout the week, with pool work at the Ultra Pool, Pasig; ocean dives are at one of the Anilao resorts in Batangas on weekends.
Capt'n Greggs Nautical Bar and Restaurant, while not really a retail outlet, is worth a visit if only to see the display of ancient artifacts on loan from the National Museum, which were salvaged by Brian Homan and his team in Mindoro over the past 10 years. Located in the heart of the Ermita tourist belt on the second floor of the Relt Building, 1313 Del Pilar, Ermita (above Visions), Capt'n Gregg's is a watering hole frequented by many diving aficionados on their Manila trips.
There are occasional bargains in equipment, both new and used, and a wealth of information to be picked up at the bar concerning dive sites, wrecks, salvage and even investment opportunities in the Philippines.
Affiliated with Capt'n Greggs in Sabang, Puerto Galera, Mindoro, a popular dive shop and resort hotel, the Nautical Bar can arrange trips to Puerto Galera and entertain in Manila.
This page: http://www.cockatoo.com/english/philippines/philippines_insight_sports.htm
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