Manila — The Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX) 2022, the country’s biggest platform to highlight and promote the dive industry, will be graced by world-class underwater photographers, technical divers, and marine conservationists in a dive conference set on August 19-21, at SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.
Spearheaded by the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT), PHIDEX 2022 will gather dive industry leaders, stakeholders, experts, government, businesses, and dive enthusiasts in this three-day event that aims to amplify the message that a stronger and better Philippine dive industry is back to welcome divers from all over the world.
“For our participants, PHIDEX 2022 is the chance for divers, marine biologists, conservationists, and underwater photographers to forge partnerships and discuss trends in the diving community. For the Philippine government, PHIDEX is a green light. It’s a message to our dear foreign tourists—it’s been a long time coming. Welcome back and we hope you enjoy your stay,” enthused Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
“More importantly, PHIDEX 2022 comes in an opportune time for us to showcase the resilience of the Philippine tourism industry,” the tourism chief added.
With the theme “Back into the Blue: One with the Sea,” more than 30 foreign and local experts in marine conservation, freediving, and underwater photography will take centerstage in discussion and knowledge-sharing sessions at the PHIDEX 2022 dive conference.
To speak on marine conservation and protection are Angelique Songco, site manager of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park World Heritage Area and AA Yaptinchay, director and founder of the conservation NGO Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines. Yaptinchay will talk about the conservation of sharks in the Philippines, while Songco will discuss about the changes our seas have gone through over the years.
Discussing the ins and outs of freediving are marine economist Tara Abrina and certified diver Cha Ocampo. Abrina will talk about the coastal development lessons she learned from fishermen, while Ocampo will speak about the fragility and beauty of the underwater environment.
PHIDEX participants will also hear about underwater photography from award-winning photographers Rafael Fernandez Caballero and Alex Mustard. Mustard will share the joys and challenges of macrophotography, while Caballero will discuss the magic of ocean lights for underwater photography.
Indonesian actress-turned-professional-diver Kirana Larasati will also grace the PHIDEX stage to talk about humanity and diving.
World-renowned dive organizations will also give talks at PHIDEX, namely Divers Alert Network (DAN), and the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). DAN is a dive safety organization committed to the health and safety of divers, while PADI is the biggest ocean exploration and diver organization in the world, operating in 186 countries and territories.
Romir Aglugub, business liaison for DAN World, will talk about dive safety. On the other hand, Lee Butler and Andy Auer, Regional Managers from PADI, will discuss their organization’s capabilities beyond Scuba diving.
The DOT partnered with several organizations to make PHIDEX possible. These include event partners DAN World, PADI, Scuba Schools International (SSI) – Mares, Garmin, Philippine Airlines, and Scuba Studio. Also in the roster of PHIDEX collaborators are media partners Wet Pixel, Asian Diver, Scuba Diver Ocean Planet, and Underwater360.
PHIDEX 2022 will also be highlighted by Dive TRAVEX B2B meetings and conference where about 62 International buyers, media and speakers from 19 source markets, namely, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Italy, Israel, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Germany, and Denmark. The Dive TRAVEX and Dive Conference will also be accessible through a virtual platform especially for participants yet with international border restrictions due to COVID-19.
Luxury hotels around the SM Mall of Asia Complex are also some of the PHIDEX partners, namely: The Golden Phoenix Hotel, TRYP by Wyndham, Microtel by Wyndham, and Hotel 101. The Conrad Hotel also caps the list of partner accommodations as the official hotel of PHIDEX buyers, media, and VIP speakers.
