Miss Earth 2017 candidates revisit Dive and Trek Resort and Marine Sanctuary; unearth the message fr
(Dive and Trek owner Jun Zamora with Miss Earth 2017 candidates holding the brood stocks before they are seeded)
Prior to the coronation night of Miss Earth 2017, twenty-four of the candidates got to see the beauty of the Philippines in one-of-a-kind experience in the beautiful island of Batangas at the Dive and Trek Resort and Marine Sanctuary.
The Dive and Trek Resort and Marine Sanctuary is a world-class diving and snorkeling beach front resort which prioritizes the welfare of the marine life and its biodiversity. It was declared as the first Marine Sanctuary in the whole of Balayan bay 23 years ago.
(PADI Course Director Sean Calma as he teaches the delegates on how to make brood stock of reef that will be planted underwater, the first step in coral propagation and restoration)
Spearheaded by the owner of Dive and Trek, Jun Zamora, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Course Director Sean Calma, the delegates did a coastal clean-up with the Miss Earth delegates at the marine sanctuary. They also seeded 50 giant clams at the Marine Sanctuary with the help of the University of the Philippines, Marine Science Institute.
One of the exciting and heart-felt activities the Miss Earth 2017 candidates did was opening the time capsule which was installed thirteen years ago during the Miss Earth 2004 and found the message of the reigning Miss Earth 2003 Dania Prince.
Miss Earth 2003 message in full-text:
“It is my pride and joy to be part of a movement to protect the environment which is in dire of our help. And for this reason I thank Dive & Trek Resort and Marine Sanctuary, especially to Mr. Jun Zamora, for inviting the Miss Earth delegates in this important event.
May this Clam Hatchery launching may bring more awareness and help in imroving the conditions of marine life
To anyone who will receive this message, I say, let us show our appreciation to Mother Earth by being responsible and caring to all that has life.”
(Original copy of Miss Earth 2004 Dania Prince message)
The team also started a program to restore and propagate corals aiming to make the Marine Sanctuary of Dive and Trek the most successful Coral Rehab and Propagation site in the whole of Balayan Bay. The long term goal is to set an example for all stake holders, fisher folk, land owners, politicians, and divers that it can be done.
Carousel Production, the organization that currently owns and runs the Miss Earth and Miss Philippines Earth beauty contests was very glad about the outcome of the activities and asked Dive and Trek to host next year Miss Earth delegates.
For more information about Dive and Trek, please check their website at http://diveandtrek.com/.
