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ANILAO UNDERWATER SHOOTOUT STAGES A SUCCESSFUL COMEBACK
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mateur and professional underwater photographers, divers and marine enthusiasts once again masterfully captured the beauty of Anilao in the entries to the seventh Anilao Underwater Shootout (AUS), recently mounted by the Department of Tourism (DOT). Dubbed as the ‘World Cup of Underwater Photo Competitions’, the event highlighted the town’s teeming marine biodiversity, including its world-famous nudibranchs. Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said the event showcased the country’s readiness to welcome back tourists and reclaim its position as the world’s leading dive destination. “The Anilao Underwater Shootout is a platform to communicate the importance of safeguarding our delicate reefs and marine ecosystems for future generations. As we slowly rebuild and recover from the effects of the pandemic, this event is our way of announcing to the world that the Philippines’ diving industry is alive and well, and very much ready to welcome divers and underwater photographers,” Puyat said. Supporting the department’s thrust to safely restart tourism in the country, Puyat also noted that more than 95 percent of the tourism workers in dive destinations are now fully vaccinated. Gathering a total of 120 participants flying in from all over the country, the event also spurred domestic 1st Place, Compact Class - Marine Behaviour Category, Regie Casia
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DOT Photographer of the Year and 1st Place, Compact Class - Fish Portrait Category, Teresa Sy Ortin
tourism activity in Anilao, trickling down to the community with engagement from the town’s resorts, dive guides and spotters. This year’s edition garnered a total of 348 entries across the competition’s 11 categories. Winners were awarded over two million pesos worth of prizes from its official airline partner Cebu Pacific, and underwater photography gear from event partners Nauticam, Scubalamp, AOI, Scubastudio Philippines, and sponsors XDEEP, Crest, Fourth Element, Divers Point, Nautilus Dive, and Sports Centre, Squires Bingham, and Ultralight Control Systems, Inc.
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