MANILA, APRIL 11, 2013 – To celebrate the Tubbataha Reefs’ 25th year as a Marine Protected Area, the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines), together with the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO), launched ‘Riding the Waves of Change: The Tubbataha Reefs’ 25th Anniversary’ Photo Exhibit, bringing the beauty of the underwater paradise closer to more Filipinos.
WWF-Philippines and TMO have asked the public, particularly avid divers and photographers who have witnessed first-hand the beauty of the Tubbataha Reefs, to contribute their best photos of the marine enclave.
“The Tubbataha Reefs is considered one of the best dive sites in the world, and is one of the most biologically rich and diverse areas within the Coral Triangle, Earth’s epicenter of marine life,” says WWF-Philippines vice chair and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan. “We believe that looking out for the protection and conservation of this marine sanctuary is our responsibility as Filipinos.”
“Through Riding the Waves of Change, we hope to promote the Tubbataha experience and highlight the importance of protecting our Tubbataha Reefs and help raise funds to build a new Tubbataha Ranger Station, which will better protect this UNESCO World Heritage Site,” Tan said.
It has been almost 25 years since the Philippine government declared the Tubbataha Reefs, located at the Central Sulu Sea, a marine protected area. Throughout its conservation history, it has received UNESCO World Heritage Site status plus recognition as a RAMSAR site.
With the support of Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. and the Ayala Malls, WWF and TMO formally opened the exhibit at the New Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. The exhibit will continue to run from April 10 to 13, at the Ground Level of Glorietta 3.
