Behind the Lens: Our Experience in Dauin’s Photo Dive 2025

June 25, 2025 – Ferry, First Dives & Festival Opening

We left Lapu-Lapu City around 2:58 AM because we planned to leave at 3 AM. Joan, Nino, and James were already waiting in Mandaue to ride with us for the 156-kilometer trip to Santander Port. We stopped at 7-Eleven in Barili to use the restroom and buy coffee. Then we continued the drive and arrived at the port at 7:10 AM, just in time for the 7:30 AM boat trip. Inside the ferry, Val and Cristy were very excited and told us about the prizes we could win in the competition—everyone felt super excited after hearing that!

Dive 1 – Wide Category

We started our first dive around 11:44 AM, with a max depth of 22.5 meters and an average depth of 12.9 meters. The total dive time was 86 minutes, and visibility was around 20 meters—perfect for wide shots because of the man-made coral structures and plenty of fish. We headed to those structures to begin shooting. I was using my MF2 snoot setup, while Ikuo used the borrowed Sea&Sea YS-02 strobe. She spotted a beautiful Nembrotha nudibranch, so we switched cameras so she could take photos of it. Cristy and Val were kind enough to lend us their YS-02 strobe to help improve the lighting.

Surface Interval – Pizza Break and Charging Time

During our surface interval, we charged some of our batteries since we only brought two. We had pizza at Frontemarre Pizzeria—one of the best in the region. Each of us had three slices, but Nino still felt bitin and wanted more.

Dive 2 – Macro Mode

We started our second dive at 2:37 PM, focusing on macro subjects. Our max depth was 17.9 meters, with an average of 11 meters, and a total dive time of 89 minutes. I was still using the MF2, while Ikuo was lucky to borrow Val’s Inon D200 strobe—super powerful! On the way back, she found a lost diopter underwater—turns out it was Chu’s.

After the dive, we joined the opening ceremony at Fin Bar. It was fun to meet fellow divers from different places, all excited for the competition.

June 26, 2025 – Foggy Cameras and Black Water Wonders

Dive 1 – Black Diamond We started our first dive around 10:09 AM, with a max depth of 19.8 meters, an average depth of 12.6 meters, and a total dive time of 81 minutes. Nino was patiently waiting for the perfect frogfish shot when James suddenly appeared, moved in front of him, and boom—he took over the scene! We all laughed about it later, but Nino felt unsatisfied with what happened.

Joan also had an equipment issue—her first stage regulator was leaking. Nino had to change it, and good thing Val brought a spare sidemount regulator. Otherwise, she would've ended up using our backup regulator that’s not really designed for sidemount diving (devil laugh).

During the dive, Grethel accidentally got stung by a devil stonefish. Luckily, it was not too serious, but it was definitely a reminder for all of us to always be careful.

Dive 2 – El Dorado

We started the dive at 1:02 PM with a max depth of 19.3 meters and an average depth of 11.4 meters. Total dive time was 85 minutes. Grethel was not diving this time and decided to rest since she was having a hard time equalizing and had headaches. Cristy’s camera fogged up even before we went down, so she switched and used Grethel’s rig instead.

This site had plenty of gobies—we tried our best to shoot them cleanly despite the small subjects. During this dive, James exceeded his deco limits and was supposed to do a compulsory safety stop of 18 minutes, but he did not comply. Because of that, his dive computer locked him out for the next 48 hours.

Dive 3 – Bonfire in Front of the Hotel

Night dive started at 6:46 PM with a max depth of 14.8 meters, an average depth of 10.7 meters, and a total dive time of 82 minutes. We focused on bonfire photography. I got to shoot another Nembrotha nudibranch. I took more than 100 shots! But when I checked the RAW files... it was digitally zoomed, not allowed in competitions.

Went to Dumaguete City for a late dinner at Jollibee.

June 27, 2025 – Frogfish Fever & Beach Cleanup

Dive 1 – Gracey Front Reef
All dives today were done in front of Gracey Dive Resort. First dive started at 9:19 AM with a max depth of 24.5 meters and an average depth of 14.2 meters, total dive time of 72 minutes. Everyone dove except James. We found both the black and painted frogfish, and everyone got their shots.

Dive 2 – Frogfish Take 2 + Wide Reef
Second dive started at 12:12 PM with a max depth of 19.1 meters and an average depth of 8.4 meters, total dive time of 85 minutes. After shooting the frogfish again, we went to the vast corals with many fishes in the shallow part around 6 to 10 meters of the reef. Doms sat out this one. Still chasing the perfect frame!

Dive 3 – Coastal Clean-up & Dive
While Nino, Joan, Ikuo, Cristy, and Chu did the third day dive, Grethel and I documented and observed the coastal clean-up activity. Proud to help even without going underwater.

Dive 4 – Bonfire Night Dive
Fourth dive started at 6:58 PM with a max depth of 15.1 meters and average depth of 10.3 meters, total dive time of 82 minutes. It was supposed to be a bonfire dive, but no typical bonfire subjects were found. However, we saw a mating white Pikachu nudibranch and, a few meters later, a pregnant cleaner shrimp that surprisingly gave birth—releasing its eggs right in front of us! Unfortunately, we were so shocked we didn’t get a photo. First time witnessing that in my entire diving life!

Then went to Hunting Ground Grill & Restobar in Bacong for a late night dinner.

June 28, 2025 – Last Dive

We did our last dive at Loka, the same site as our first day. Max depth of 22.2 meters and average depth of 11.5 meters with total dive time of 74 minutes. I tried shooting fusiliers and a mantis shrimp with eggs—but the shots didn’t come out well. Even my cleaner fish shot was off.

That wraps up our dive-filled days at Dauin—but the story doesn’t end there. In Part 2, we’ll share how we prepared our entries, the surprises during the awarding, and our heartfelt trip back home. Don’t miss it!