Hello PPD'ers, I need a bit of advice (and assistance):
Several months ago (Summer 2007), I did a seven week tour (alone) of some of the "signature" dive spots in your lovely country. I did this purely of my own initiative (not to search for work!) and although I do work as an Instructor in Thailand, I was simply a "normal" diver / videographer, and I truly had a blast! I was very impressed with the overall coral health and wide variety of marine life, and coming from somebody that has worked on liveaboards in the Similan/Surin Islands and whose "backyard" is Phuket / Andaman Sea, I think it means something....
During the course of my travels, I met a few Dive Resort/ Shop Owners and I may now have an opportunity to come there (Visayas) to manage/work in a Dive Center (full-time, permanent). As I really don't know much about living costs in the Philippines (outside Manila), nor have I any idea of average salaries in the Dive Industry (of course it depends on location, how busy the place is, and what the duties of the job are etc...), I would like to communicate (privately) with somebody that IS employed as a Dive Professional in the Philippines, so I can get some idea of how things are (salary, work permits, living costs, commissions, etc...)
If anybody can put me in contact with such a person, I would be MOST grateful! I apologize for using this Forum in this manner, but the truth is that I don't have any personal contacts there that I can ask such questions, and I would like to independently "research" a bit before making any drastic moves, or change my present work situation.
Anyway, thanks for reading this and I hope to hear from somebody that might be willing to share a bit regarding working in the Dive Industry there?
HB
Several months ago (Summer 2007), I did a seven week tour (alone) of some of the "signature" dive spots in your lovely country. I did this purely of my own initiative (not to search for work!) and although I do work as an Instructor in Thailand, I was simply a "normal" diver / videographer, and I truly had a blast! I was very impressed with the overall coral health and wide variety of marine life, and coming from somebody that has worked on liveaboards in the Similan/Surin Islands and whose "backyard" is Phuket / Andaman Sea, I think it means something....
During the course of my travels, I met a few Dive Resort/ Shop Owners and I may now have an opportunity to come there (Visayas) to manage/work in a Dive Center (full-time, permanent). As I really don't know much about living costs in the Philippines (outside Manila), nor have I any idea of average salaries in the Dive Industry (of course it depends on location, how busy the place is, and what the duties of the job are etc...), I would like to communicate (privately) with somebody that IS employed as a Dive Professional in the Philippines, so I can get some idea of how things are (salary, work permits, living costs, commissions, etc...)
If anybody can put me in contact with such a person, I would be MOST grateful! I apologize for using this Forum in this manner, but the truth is that I don't have any personal contacts there that I can ask such questions, and I would like to independently "research" a bit before making any drastic moves, or change my present work situation.
Anyway, thanks for reading this and I hope to hear from somebody that might be willing to share a bit regarding working in the Dive Industry there?
HB
. which reminds me, i should add Lilja in facebook.
