Luli’s passion is in Bohol

FOR A TIME, Pamilacan, off Baclayon, Bohol, was terra incognita to First Daughter Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas, a dedicated diver. Instead, she frequented Balicasag, off Panglao Reef, which abounds with jacks, sponges, gorgonians, and barracudas.

But when Joel Uichico, general manager of Bezo Recreational and Aquatic Activities for Bohol, invited Bernas to judge a competition of underwater photographs of Pamilacan, a friendship and a personal initiative ensued.

Bernas’ passion for diving and her international relations background have landed her a job as Southeast Asia’s policy officer of the World Wildlife Fund’s Coral Triangle Program.

She likens the Coral Triangle to the nursery of the ocean. Extending from Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands to Timor-Leste, the Coral Triangle has the highest convergence of marine life and coral species in the world. Its waters contain over 600 reef-building coral species, representing 75 percent of all species known in the world.

She points out that the Philippines enjoys the advantage of being at the apex of the triangle.

Best dive site

Bernas cites Bohol, particularly Balicasag, as among the world’s best diving places because of its biodiversity.

“There are mantas, dolphins, whales, a great number of marine life you don’t see in the world. Those are the things divers pay to see in other places,” she says.

Her job is to collaborate with government officials and communities in disciplined practices that help sustain the Coral Triangle’s marine and coastal wealth for future generations.

“I work on the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, trying to get people to adopt policies that will conserve marine life and make sure fishing practices are sustainable. Coastal communities can benefit from proper development of marine resources,” she says.

“I find that fishermen or Filipinos in general think that what we have in our waters are just passing through. Actually, you won’t find these things in other places, and they are spawned here.”

Due to ignorance, fishermen resort to destructive fishing practices. “If we destroy the marine life habitat, they go extinct and it’s on us.”

Off-duty

Bernas’ work in BRAABO’s Pamilacan project is done in her downtime. Since Bea Zobel Jr. and Uichico made their presentation to the provincial government, Bernas has been espousing the need for proper tourism development.

She lauded the unity among the local government officials. “The great thing was that the principal and municipal governments agreed to do it together. That was a big boost to Bohol’s growth.”

Bernas and her husband, former investment banker Jay Aloysius Luigi Bernas, also a diver, have been flying to Bohol to support Uichico’s programs. She has been donating seed money to such projects as dive guide training.

“Luli’s presence has made great impact on our projects. She loves to help. Everything she’s done is all out of pocket,” says Uichico.

After attending the blessing of the Municipal Tourism Center in Baclayon, the Bernases spent the week helping in the dive guide training. The program teaches guides to look for the best spots and meet the requirements of photographers who specialize in underwater images, a major target market for Pamilacan.

Bernas, who says she’s only an amateur in underwater photography, gives her feedback about the guides.

“Divers were not brought to Pamilacan. It’s just a recent phenomenon. The people who bring divers there are not from Pamilacan but from Alona Beach. It’s great that the locals are made aware of the richness of their marine life and how to manage them. The money goes directly to them and they appreciate what they have,” she says.

Catalyst

Bernas lauds BRAABO’s vision of being a catalyst for government leadership and partnerships with local communities to protect the ecosystem.

“Working with the community is the right way to do things. It’s not somebody coming in and telling people what to do. It’s cooperating with them to make sure what the community wants is translated into something that will last for generations,” she says.

Baclayon’s vice mayor Marilyn Uy agrees. The local government had focused on infrastructure.

“Before, you could not be proud to say you’re from Bohol. There was only the 30-minute land tour of the Baclayon Church and museum. Now we are developing more activities so that guests can stay in Baclayon for three days,” says Uy.

“We’re finally on the tourist radar.”

[ Baclayon Church Wiki ]