Seminar for dive guides in the Philippines

[solanabezo]

On May 11 and 12 2006, the first seminar for local dive guides of Mabini (Anilao) Philippines will be held. The seminar, which is really teaching the local Filipino dive guides of the area how to handle underwater camera's and video, spotting subjects, knowing the names of fish, vertebrates, etc. and of course, diving eco friendly.

This is just the start of a series of seminars. The next seminar will be on developing personality and character building as most of them have no formal education and have developed diving as their only means of livelihood.

Ulitmately, we would like to see all the local guides attain their divemaster status from an internationally recognized agency.

If this kind of seminar works well, we are planning to have similar seminars in Bohol, Cebu, Davao.

 

[pakman]

Solanabezo, kudos to you for initiating this program... that is a wonderful idea and I for one am all for helping out developing local scuba guides... Pls do advise, as a frequent visitor to the PI, how we overseas can help out. Out of curiosity, does the local PADI or other diving agency provide special or discounted divemaster programs for local guides?

 

[paolov]

not from PADI (at this time).

however entities may subsidize the PADI fees. especially now , effective jan.2006 all requirements for the specific course should be purchased by the student (PADI) this alone for the locals is very very expensive, when we are talking subsistence living.

that money could hardly be justifiable to purchase books, videos, and other materials when you are talking about the subsistence of their family.

so sponsors are very much welcomed.

so perhaps if there are anyone willing to sponsor these materials, it could help into the locals getting mainstream certification.

perhaps we could as PPD in support of this effort coordinate the sponsors from SB with Com. Solanabezo on this matter.

.

.

 

[pakman]

not from PADI (at this time).

however entities may subsidize the PADI fees. especially now , effective jan.2006 all requirements for the specific course should be purchased by the student (PADI) this alone for the locals is very very expensive, when we are talking subsistence living.

that money could hardly be justifiable to purchase books, videos, and other materials when you are talking about the subsistence of their family.

so sponsors are very much welcomed.

so perhaps if there are anyone willing to sponsor these materials, it could help into the locals getting mainstream certification.

perhaps we could as PPD in support of this effort coordinate the sponsors from SB with Com. Solanabezo on this matter.

.

.

[looks around to see if there are any PADI officials lurking]
Can't we just zerox those dang padi manuals and make DVD copies of those videos?

Yeah I was thinking the cost of the DM course is got to be waaaay beyond a lot of these candidates' means...

Maybe we should start a SB divemaster sponsorship...