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==[[Tawi-Tawi News]]==
==[[Tawi-Tawi News]]==
'''Oslob, Cebu whale shark in indie film'''
'''Scuba Diving training enhances MSU-Tawi-Tawi students’ skills in marine, environmental science'''
*Source: http://www.tawitawi.net/oslob-cebu-whale-shark-in-indie-film/
*Source: http://piazampen.blogspot.com/2012/05/scuba-diving-training-enhances-msu-tawi.html
*Wednesday, May 2, 2012
*Thursday, May 3, 2012
:by  tawitawi.net
:by  Rene V. Carbayas






CEBU CITY – Oslob’s whale sharks will become even more famous.
ISABELA CITY, Basilan, May 3 (PIA) – The Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO) in cooperation with the Tawi-Tawi Divers Club (TDC) has successfully conducted a two-month introductory course to scuba diving to selected students of Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences.


The sharks will play a “cameo role” in director Brillante Mendoza’s independent film, which he said he plans to submit as an entry in the Cannes Film Festival in France.
The free training that culminated last March 31 was participated by at least 20 people, of which, 15 are students of MSU-TCTO and members of the Marine Bio & Environmental Sciences Students’ Association (MABESSA).


The film is about a couple from Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao who have been trying to conceive, but were not blessed with a child.
TDC President Engr. Rosendo R. Reyes said that this project with the MSU-TCTO was initiated as part of the club’s social responsibility “to draw strategic partnership with the academic institution like the MSU-TCTO that offers courses in marine biology and fisheries and environmental sciences.”


It stars Nora Aunor and Bembol Roco.
Reyes pointed out that TDC provides such training to students so that “they will utilize their skills, exposures and experiences especially in the conduct of their academic research in marine and environmental sciences.” He added that conducting under water research studies require students to be scuba divers.


One of the few scenes that will be shot in Cebu will feature Oslob town and the sharks that have gained popularity worldwide.
He said that two Dive Masters, Prof. Ramon Tangon and Rasul Sabal were assisting him in the training. He emphasized that TDC would continue to participate on collaborative engagement with concerned agencies and NGOs in projects related to coral assessment, establishment and management of fish sanctuary, construction of artificial reef, Crown-of Thorns Clean-up, coastal clean-up like scubasurero (garbage collector of the sea) and other projects and programs of similar considerations, especially those involving environmental concerns.


The full feature movie “Thy Womb” is not a movie about the whale sharks, the director said, “but they will appear in a side scene.”
Meanwhile, MSU-TCTO Chancellor Atty. Lorenzo R. Reyes, in his message underscored the significance of scuba diving to the academic program of the university. He said that he is planning to make scuba diving as one subject area of study in the academic curriculum of the Department of Marine & Environmental Science of the university.


“Parang isa na rin itong paraan para ma-showcase natin ang ating culture, and the things we are proud of, like the whale sharks of Oslob,” Mendoza said in an interview aired over radio dyAB on Sunday.
“I have always encouraged the college of fisheries and environmental science to undertake more research studies in fisheries and marine biology as well as in environmental sciences because MSU-TCTO is a vocational institution by its mandates, he stressed.


He said that 95 percent of the film was shot in Tawi-Tawi, and they plan to start filming in Oslob soon.
He shared his vision to make MSU-TCTO a center of excellence on fisheries and oceanographic studies and to ensure that the graduates will be relevant and globally competitive. He pointed out, further, that Tawi-Tawi is considered a haven for research studies and that he wishes to expect also that the college should be able to come up with more vital research proposals in which he assured that it would be his responsibility to find possible source of funding for any research proposal submitted.


In a phone interview, Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren said he has not heard from Brillantes yet, but he is open to having the sharks and his town featured in a film if this will benefit them.
Moreover, Director for Coastal Resource Management Prof. Felimon Romero said that “there’s a need to strengthen our environment and ecological system as this is our only potential source of eco-tourism for foreign investment in Tawi-Tawi.”


He said there are no guidelines yet in having the sharks appear in advertisements or movies. For now, what the Municipal Government allows is filming for research work and documentation of the sharks.
“We are part of coral triangle in Southeast Asian region, and that what we have here in Tawi-Tawi is that we can find more interesting coastal fishery resources and pristine beaches to explore that we are proud to say is much better than those in other places within the country, including other places abroad,” he added.,


“We’ll see what the director’s plans and intentions are. If it will be beneficial to the town in terms of promoting tourism and care for the sharks, of course, we will allow them to come here and shoot,” Guaren told Sun.Star Cebu.
Meanwhile, the Office of MSU-SCTO Chancellor has donated to the club about ten pieces of junked steel cabinets that will be used as artificial reef in support to the national coral reef restoration program of government.  As part of their commitment to the TDC, the trainees will install the cabinets to the seas near Mountain View Resort Beach at Barangay Pasiagan in Bongao.  


Brillante is a multi-awarded director whose works have been recognized here and abroad. He won the award for Best Director for “Kinatay” at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. His film “Lola” also won the award for Best Film at the 6th Dubai International Film Festival.
TDC said the areas that are devastated by dynamite and cyanide fishing are the targets of coral reef restoration.


Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Central Visayas has initiated efforts to promote environment conservation education to host communities of eco-tourism projects.
MABESSA President Yunadzmal Ong, moreover, expressed his gratitude to the TDC President and MSU Chancellor for making the scuba training possible that helps in their quest for scientific exploration of the seas and the oceans of Tawi-Tawi.


The agency will hold an information caravan from Argao to the towns in the southern tip of Cebu, DOT-Central Visayas Director Rowena Montecillo said.
Among the successful trainees include the 15 students from the MSU-TCTO, namely: Adzmil Ledinil, Aharul, Almyra Samimi, Arthur Attuh, Delmar Asanol, Ibkar Salip Marijan, Joemary Alpha, Kara Habibon, Shaima Abdul, Sherelyn Abdul, Willy Rafales, Yunadzmal N. Ong, Maria Mita Fe Beringuel, Mira Luna Lagao and Nuradzmar Sali;  the three personnel from Bongao Water District—Rommel Nunal, Jose Baldevino and Dante Delfinado; and the PMAer, ILt. Charles Dennis Tan from the Philippine Marines. (MSU-TCTO/PIA-9 ZBST)
 
She told Sun.Star Cebu these areas are part of the route of the whale shark.
 
Montecillo was referring to the whale sharks (Rhyncodon typus) that have become the main tourist attraction of Barangay Tan-awan in Oslob town.
 
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists whale sharks as “vulnerable” due to the threats they face such as hunting and their dwindling population.
 
Montecillo said the tourism agency has tapped the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in educating the community about whale sharks and perhaps turtles too.
 
The participants who will be required to attend trainings are the boatmen and other members of the affected community.
 
Montecillo said that with this effort on environmental management education, the School of the SEA (Sea and Earth Advocates) resources can be tapped.
 
The School of the SEA managed by the Law of Nature Foundation headed by environmental lawyer and Ramon Magsaysay laureate Antonio Oposa Jr. was re-launched a few years after its infrastructure was destroyed by Typhoon Frank.
 
The school promotes education, engineering and enforcement in promoting the implementation of environmental laws and policies through environment-friendly practices such as waste segregation and water conservation.
 
Montecillo had pledged to continue to support the school and at the same time bring environmental conservation awareness to Regions 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas) and 8 (Eastern Visayas). (LCR/BAP/Sun.Star Cebu)


==[[:Category:Tawi-Tawi, Philippines Photo Gallery|Tawi-Tawi, Philippines Photo Gallery]]==
==[[:Category:Tawi-Tawi, Philippines Photo Gallery|Tawi-Tawi, Philippines Photo Gallery]]==
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