Concerned Divers for the Philippines – International Coastal Cleanup 2009

Diving from Crystal Blue Resort, Anilao, Batangas… we went across to Maricaban Island and cleaned Caban Cove…

I received this notice today via email in reference to my earlier post “stolen.”

Apology accepted!

Plagiarism, as defined in the 1995 Random House Compact Unabridged Dictionary, is the “use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work.”

I never thought it would happen to me… I’ve been plagiarized!!!  Although they say that to be copied is the highest form of flattery, stealing and posting it as your own is crossing the line!

I found out through a friend that there was another video of manta’s spotted at Mainit… but he also mentioned that the video looked very familiar – like our manta experience in Palau…

I went to YouTube to investigate and was shocked… it was quite obvious that portions of my video had been copied and inserted into his… all without permission.

Niño Mulach’s version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNCC3bxxXTs

UPDATE:  As of early 28 Aug 2009, Niño Mulach has deleted his video from YouTube.

My Upload (German Channel – Palau 2008):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An3Ki_-c34Q

Actually, I was corrected by another friend… my video wasn’t plagiarized, IT WAS STOLEN!!!  I couldn’t agree more… I guess I got side-tracked by “representation of them as one’s own original work.”  Unfortunately, since the video has been deleted, there’s no way for you to view it… I guess I should have downloaded the video.  Fortunately, I was able to make screen captures of both sites side-by-side… below are 3 shots – click on the thumbnails for a bigger view:

Screen Capture 01

Screen Capture 02

Screen Capture 03

Click here to check out the video of the manta’s at Mainit I took earlier this month.

Mainit Point (southernmost point of Calumpan Peninsula) is a 4-star dive site favored by seasoned divers in the Anilao area.  Recently, it has been deluged by divers due the presence of Manta Ray’s.

It was a weekend that will surely be remembered for a long time.  Needless to say, I am referring to last weekend’s dive.  Like all dive weekends, I always look forward to the adventure.  There is always something new to see, experience and enjoy.  And as it turned out, there was really something new for all of us.

It all started being planned online… a sort of get-together for us friends using Facebook.  As the weekend approached, plans were ironed out… schedules adjusted, car pools organized.  There was a snag though… one of the friends couldn’t make it.  There was a last minute family obligation that had to be addressed.  Bummer…

Although an ongoing typhoon in Taiwan was intensifying the southwest monsoon and causing rough seas, this never deterred us… a simple adjustment just had to be made – as always.  Simply put, we couldn’t board and disembark our outrigger from the resort.  We had to travel an extra 10 minutes by land to Mainit where seas are much calmer during this season.

This also limited our dive site selection since we couldn’t cross the channel nor travel up and down the coast.  No worries… there was always Mainit… one of the high-voltage dive sites around the Anilao area… and that was available!

Right off the bat, there was a discussion as to which dive site to tackle first… the top two choices would be Mainit Point or Secret Bay.  Since we had “other” divers with us, we chose Mainit.  And since those “other” divers were kids, we obviously wouldn’t tackle the “wilder” side of Mainit.

Off we went… a two-minute outrigger ride and we arrive at our destination.  Everybody suits up and back-rolls… we assemble at the bottom of the boat… got the kids organized… then proceeded.

Within the first 15 minutes of the dive… Paz signals something that takes everyone by surprise… she signals that there’s a manta out there… we scurry to take a closer look!!!  By the time I got to the area, I couldn’t believe my eyes!!!  There was not one but two of them!!!

Manta Ray’s are one of the most graceful creatures you can ever watch… the don’t swim through the water… they FLY!  They look like modern bombers when gliding – I have read that current bombers have been designed after them…

I have seen Manta’s before… but don’t forget… this IS Anilao.  There have been a few reports before of sightings… the last one with video to boot… but this is no longer a story… this is first hand!!!  After the Manta’s left, we proceeded with the dive… lo and behold… minutes later… I was shaken by a friend only to be directed to see another sighting… this time there were three of them… WHAT’S HAPPENING?!?!?!

After the dive, we were obviously excited.  We wanted to do Mainit again and search for them… and check if this was a fluke.  And as luck would have it… we saw them again… and again.  This group was different… they were bigger… about 5-6 ft in diameter vs the 3-4 footers we saw on the first dive.

The next day… we did Mainit twice again… and they were still there… at different depths… seemingly all over the place…

Dave and Paz who stayed until Monday reported that when they dove Mainit in the morning, the Manta’s were still there.  So, since Saturday, apparently guaranteed sightings of Manta’s at Mainit – this is no small claim.

This is definitely good news to all divers of Anilao… first there were Whale Sharks… now Manta’s… now if only they don’t get harassed by other divers… or fished by the locals… Anilao will definitely get a big boost.

Manta Fly-By @ Mainit

There are just some days when something amazing happens. When its one of those days, I just can’t help but be simply thrilled.  This is one of those days.

It all started last week… no more than 5 days ago.  I noticed that our main landline was noisy… full of static.  It would be so terrible at times that you couldn’t hear the other party.  I tried to troubleshoot the problem but to no avail.

In the meantime, my DSL line was acting up.  I would get disconnected often.   It would re-connect after 1-2 minutes but it was getting irritating.  After all, I didn’t pay for intermitent service… I paid for 24/7 unlimited service… something they seem to take for granted.

So yesterday (22Jul), I reported both problems – with 2 phone calls mind you.  Anybody who has had to call PLDT will attest that you wait at least 15 minutes on hold if you get to connect at all.  THIS IS A TELCO and you can’t even call-in to report a problem… sheesh.

But yesterday was a real treat… I connected really quick on both accounts.  I didn’t even get to hear their ad that endlessly loops while you wait.  I spoke to a customer service representative immediately… hmmm, something’s amiss here… but I wasn’t complaining.

I knew that the static landline will receive immediate response… after all, that’s a “physical” problem, so they will send a lineman ASAP.  It was the DSL line I was concerned about.   Like I said, I was still able to connect but would drop off for 1-2 minutes every so often.  In the past, it would take weeks of constant “follow-ups” before anything got resolved.

Not this time… the gods must have been in my favor… the day after I reported both problems, 2… yes that’s TWO repairmen came to the house.  One to repair the static… the other to resolve my constant disconnection.

Happy to report that both were resolved in about 90 minutes… the static was gone in the main line and after replacing my month old modem, the constant disconnection was gone…

HAPPY DAYS!!!

My Rig

Recently, the family embarked on a trip to the US.  The trip was a “gift” of sorts for Ira… who had turned 18 and graduated from high school.  Compared to the 2002 trip, this one was going to be high-tech.  We were bringing my netbook to keep in touch with family – through email and facebook.  We were going to rent a GPS, as an option to our rentals – so Len and I wouldn’t have to deal/argue about maps and directions.

The following are essential tools to enhance any trip abroad:
a) a laptop / netbook (with wifi capabilities)
b) wifi connectivity
c) a gps – essential for driving around
d) a small compact camera (that also takes video)

Let me explain.

Maybe keeping in touch with family is not a priority – but researching for places to go, sights to visit, restaurants to eat in, making reservations, etc. IS. In 2002, I had so many print outs, that I must have brought a whole tree with me.  Facebook kept us in touch with family and friends… we received suggestions through which enhanced the trip.

There were countless times when we had just “ran out of ideas.”  Having the netbook around “saved” the day.  Of course, having wifi was required.  In hotels that didn’t offer free connectivity, I often purchased “pay as you go” plans that gave us that connectivity.  This kept the trip from going “stale” and wasting the day away.  We always had things to do, places to explore, restaurants to try.  Of course, you could always visit an internet cafe (which would achieve the same end).  Having the netbook though definitely saved us some time.

A GPS afforded us to be independent… free to change destinations at a moments notice… kept us on track even if we had missed a turn or took the wrong exit (so easy to do) – something that would have rattled us back in 2002… something that would have started an argument at the very least – now, no more.  So, for those driving… unless you’re really familiar with the ins and outs, I strongly suggest that you rent a GPS or at least borrow one.

Who goes on a trip without a camera?  Not me.  Whenever I travel with the family, a camera is always handy.  The problem is, my camera is a DSLR… its big, bulky and heavy.  Sure, I’d be able to take wonderful shots with it… but my shoulder would have complained to no end.  With the compact camera we brought along, it was with us ALL the time PLUS any of us could use it… and it took videos too I might add.

Top of The Rock – NYC

I truly had fun on this trip… so did Len and Ira… thanks to these essential tools…

In the weeks ahead, I’ll be travelling with my family… just the three of us.  I treasure adventures like this… the bonding, the fun, the memories.  We shall cheer Britney… ponder the words of Lincoln… traverse museums… jog through malls… enjoy exquisite cuisine.  Something not everyone can do.  Truly, a special time for us.

‘Till the end of summer… I’ll miss the sea.  Sure, we shall cross oceans… see another on the other side of the world… but I will still miss Anilao.  The ultimate playground – colors to dazzle.  Where every dive is always different.

bandido

The concrete jungle we intend to conquer… and we shall prevail… but I’ll still miss the sea…

inside a giant clam