Mactan, Cebu: Cyerce Paradise

posted on Saturday, September 7, 2019

Ling and I planned the start of our ber months with a flight to one of our favorite macro destinations in the Philippines---Mactan, Cebu. After diving twice in Mactan last 2018, I made it a point to schedule a trip back this 2019. We booked our dives with none other than Paraiso Com Dream, a resort managed by the world-renowned marine biologist and underwater photographer Yoshi Hirata.

It was last May 2019 when Yoshi-san posted an underwater photo of a Cyerce Nigra found in Mactan. I couldn’t believe my eyes because I really thought the rare Cyerce Nigra could only be found in Romblon. So Ling and I planned to see it for ourselves.

We were in for a shocking surprise, however, upon our arrival in Mactan. I really thought I packed everything I need in terms of my underwater photography equipment for the trip. Lo and behold, my Canon S95 camera was incompatible with the Ikelite housing I brought. What I imagined to be a macro-filled first diving day turned out to be a nightmare for my macro heart. =(

After three dives around Mactan, I realized that having no underwater camera isn’t such a bad thing. Seeing critters with only my bare eyes somehow gave me a better perspective...this time, without the camera lens in between.

Diving in Talima Island was scheduled on our second day. And so, I asked Yoshi-san if I could rent any of his spare underwater cameras. I couldn’t be more thankful when Yoshi-san rented out his Sony NEX-5 camera. Though it was quite challenging to shift from compact to a mirrorless camera, it has been a joy to learn and experience something new. I was also able to use my Scubalamp MS30 again. And yes, we saw the reason for this dive trip (and more!): tons of Cyerce Nigra and a Cyerce Bourbonica. Mission accomplished!

Mactan Cebu Candy Crab 5

Mactan Cebu Candy Crab 6

Mactan Cebu Candy Crab 7

Mactan Cebu Candy Crab 8

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Bourbonica 1

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Bourbonica 10

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Bourbonica 11

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Bourbonica 2

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Bourbonica 3

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Bourbonica 4

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Bourbonica 5

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Bourbonica 6

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Bourbonica 7

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Bourbonica 8

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Bourbonica 9

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Bourbonica

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Nigra 1

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Nigra 2

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Nigra 3

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Nigra 4

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Nigra 5

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Nigra 6

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Nigra 7

Mactan Cebu Cyerce Nigra

Mactan Cebu Hairy Shrimp 14

Mactan Cebu Hairy Shrimp 15

Mactan Cebu Hairy Shrimp 16

Mactan Cebu Hairy Shrimp 17

Mactan Cebu Hairy Shrimp 18

Mactan Cebu Hairy Shrimp 19

Mactan Cebu Hairy Shrimp 20

Mactan Cebu Hairy Shrimp 21

Mactan Cebu Hairy Shrimp 22

Mactan Cebu Hairy Shrimp 23

Mactan Cebu Hairy Shrimp 24

Mactan Cebu Hairy Shrimp 25

Mactan Cebu Nudibranch 62

Mactan Cebu Squat Shrimp 1

Mactan Cebu Squat Shrimp 2

Mactan Cebu Squat Shrimp

What do you think about my work?

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About Mona

Certified as a PADI rescue diver. Got my first compact camera in 2011. I was simply content then to just capture a glimpse of what I see during my dives. It was only last February 2014 that I fully maximized the use of manual macro settings.

My camera skills and knowledge are still a work in progress. Enjoy browsin’!

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