Che Calacal discovered her interest in diving three years ago. Since then, she has completed three diver certification courses and has now started offering scuba gear rentals along with dive guiding services.
While she is still working on her dive master certification, which she will obtain next year to formally open a dive shop in Borongan City, Calacal mentioned that a complete set of diving gear, including a buoyancy control device, regulator, mask, wetsuit, fins, booties, and a weight belt, is already available for rent from her. More importantly, an air compressor for refilling tanks, which she and fellow divers used to travel to Guiuan for, is now accessible.
“Nagga-gather na ako ng mga gears since last year pa. Ang pinakaimportante na wala tayo, compressor. Kapag nagre-refill kami, pumupunta pa kaming Guiuan. Mayroon na ako kaya puwede na talaga. Nahu-hold ang ating pag-invite kasi wala silang pagre-refill-an. Ngayon, mas accessible na,” said Calacal, who recently earned her rescue diving certification.
Calacal owns a travel agency, Budgetmate Travel and Tours, and it was during a family outing and an ocular inspection for a potential tourist destination in Southern Leyte that she stumbled upon diving.
“Mga three years ago, noong nag-dive ako sa Limasawa, nag-snorkeling. Doon ko nakita na sobrang vibrant ang underwater nila, ‘yung marine life. Doon ko unang beses na nakita ang lalaki ng mga corals. Since then, hindi na nawala sa isip ko. Parang gusto ko talagang mag-diving,” said Calacal.
A year later, she acquired her open water diver certification through training in Baybay and Ando Island in the city, followed by an advanced open water certification in Southern Leyte in 2022. She obtained her rescue diver certification late last month while training with the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office team on Divinubo Island, also in the city.
During this time, she practiced her underwater photography skills, capturing the beauty of the marine life that she has gained so much respect for, leading to a desire to spread awareness for its preservation.
“Gusto kong i-share kung anong nakikita ko, kung anong naroon. Natutuwa ako na awareness siya na may buhay sa ilalim ng dagat. Noong nag-dive ako, mas tumaas ang respeto ko sa underwater, na may ganito pala. Kapag nakikita ko ‘yung mga isda, naaalala ko ang aso ko. Ganoon ‘yung attachment ko sa ilalim ng dagat. Kapag diver ka, bawal kang kumuha ng kahit ano. Ang puwede mo lang kunin doon, basura. Bawal mag-touch. ‘Yun ‘yung gusto kong mangyari, mag-raise ng awareness na dapat ingatan natin, i-preserve natin ang pinagkukunan natin ng hanapbuhay, ng ating mga mangingisda,” said Calacal.
What sets the Divinubo diving site apart are its slopes, canals, terrain, and corals. The visibility, which she rates at around 90 percent, is also an additional inviting factor. She also mentioned a shipwreck that she saw at a diving spot between Lalawigan and Divinubo last April, but the visibility in the area was not clear at the time.
“Nakaka-proud. Ang layu-layo ng mga pinuntahan ko, nag-dive ako sa Bohol, sa Malapascua, sa El Nido, may kanya-kanya silang kagandahan. Pero noong nakita ko ‘yung sa atin, iba rin ‘yung kagandahan niya. Nakakatuwa kasi ‘yun ‘yung hinahanap ng mga divers, ‘yung uniqueness underwater. Masaya ako kasi may io-offer na rin tayo, may maipagmamalaki,” said Calacal.
Apart from providing gear rentals, Calacal offers guides and diving buddies to those who would like to visit Divinubo and Ando. However, interested divers need to ensure that they have the required diver certifications.
For beginners or non-divers, Calacal recommends shore entry only in the shallow waters of Lalawigan. Later this month, she is set to offer a fun dive package for non-divers, where they will be accompanied and assisted by certified divers.
For those who wish to take up diving lessons, Calacal offers an open water diver certification course provided by a Professional Association of Diving Instructors-certified diver for a minimum of 10 participants.
Calacal believes that diving will boost Borongan’s tourism and trigger a “chain reaction” that will benefit the community.
“May environmental fee, magkakaroon ng kita ang may-ari ng bangka, mga guide, mga restaurants, mga bar, mga hotel accommodations, lahat. Para siyang chain reaction. Mabu-boost talaga ang turismo natin at makikilala ang Borongan,” said Calacal.
Photos by Che Calacal, taken at the Divinubo diving site and Lalawigan beach sanctuary
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