“Nothing a good day of diving can’t cure.”

Wilson Uy, PADI Dive Instructor and Marine Environment Conservation Advocate, was first to tell me these words.

It was over a pitcher of margarita at the old Penguin, a few weeks before he was to go on field to teach open water diving to fishermen and boatmen (former poachers) in the south.

This was just a year or so after meeting him through a common friend. Even then, I knew there was something admirable – ideal, even – about him: a practicing dive instructor on weekends, and a chef, teacher, student and businessman on weekdays. It’s not really about merging all these facets into one person; there are many jacks-of-all-trades amongst us. It’s more about achieving an extraordinary life doing what you love most: diving.

Good Deeds Diver
I knew about Wilson’s good deeds because I was a beneficiary of it. Despite how expensive getting further certification was, I got my Rescue Diver and Emergency First Response certifications at zero labor cost through him; I just had to pay for my books. He joked, “We don't call it charity case. We call it 'friend's rate.'”

Aside from helping friends, he also conducts Discover Scuba and Intro Diving courses free for Haribon volunteers. On occasion, he is sent to the provinces to train ex poachers and barangay volunteers. He provides the Open Water Diving lessons for free while Haribon pays for their formal certification with recognized diving organizations.

His recent trip was to Surigao where he taught a group of ex poachers: “These were Surigao fishermen who used to be poachers -- poaching corals and fish…. Their local people's organization was under Haribon. They were being trained to take care of their seas, to become the police of their community; but they needed be taught the proper way of diving. That's why I was called in.”

“You may call it an advocacy of some sort as I don't really earn much from it. The earnings that you get are actually the people that you meet and cross paths with…. It's fulfilling. You've helped some people taking care of their environment.”

Why Dive
Perhaps like a lot of advocates, Wilson began with baby steps. He took his open water certification post-college, and only after he was able to convince four (4) others to join him. “During that time, one on one was unheard of.”

He has not stopped since. “By the time I reached instructor level, I remember the first time that I inquired... I remembered about the minimum. That's why with me, I don't impose any minimums. Even when you're alone, I'll take you in as student.”

According to Wilson, “The diving community in the Philippines has grown so much, in terms of number, in terms of the quality of students. The ultimate goal really is to get people to take care of our waters…. The beauty of the Philippines is underwater.”

To this day, Wilson has not lost hope and he is still having fun. “Some people have dove a thousand times and they're still happy... As for our oceans, there's hope but it's going to take a long time. There's no point in being pessimistic.”

He advises curious souls to, like him, follow their bliss. On diving and all else that fills his life, he says “This is where I'm happy. I just follow my bliss." A simple advice, yes, and all that’s needed is to take that first small step.

Roda Novenario is Yapak's Aliping Sagigilid.

Photos used with permission from Wilson Uy.