– “Quo Vadis will always be Quo Vadis but it gives a more correct description to our guests to call it Dive resort instead of Beach Resort, especially now when we are upgrading the resort to a PADI DIVE RESORT and at the same time are renovating and updating our facilities for 2012.”
Ling ling Rozgoni, CEO and owner of Visaya Divers and Quo Vadis Dive Resort.

“We are now working extensively with renovating and upgrading the whole resort. Our engineers are now sketching on a plan for the third quarter 2012 to completely remake the garden rooms with new bathrooms, floors and roof by European standards.”

In the past three months, whale sharks have been seen off Barangay Tan-awan, Oslob. From just one, seven—including two pups—were seen interacting with divers Tuesday last week.

Plan your Sinulog week ahead and find out what’s in store for Sinulog 2012.

Reneboy Servila, who helped organize a group of fishermen to become tourist guides, said that at first they did not mind the presence of the whale sharks (locally known as tuki). However, the whale sharks started to compete with the fishermen in catching tiny shrimps called uyap.

Servila said they realized they could turn the phenomenon into a tourism attraction when they learned that they could feed the whale sharks near the sea’s surface.

Through word of mouth, people have started going to Tan-awan to swim with the whale sharks.

Charges

At Servila’s place, they charge P100 for the entrance and P100 for snorkel gear rental.

The fishermen-turned-boatmen, who catch the shrimp to be fed to the whale sharks, also charge P100.

Tourism-wise, the development would be good for Oslob and turn the town into an alternative destination to Donsol, Sorsogon where tourists can swim with the gigantic but docile sea creatures.

However, what might be good for the local tourism and livelihood of the fisherfolk may be harmful to the whale sharks.

There were reports that even the boatmen do not know how to handle the whale sharks. Some even rode on them underwater and held their dorsal fins and gills.

Upon hearing this, the Sea Knights—a group of divers who consider themselves stewards of the sea—went to Oslob to check.

Last Thursday, the group was able to measure the biggest whale shark in the area, at eight meters. The smallest one they found was five meters in length.

Report

The Sea Knights also wanted to observe how the locals handle the creatures and how much information dissemination on proper handling is needed. They will make a report to the mayor.

“Oslob is already planning on making an ordinance to protect the whale sharks. We want to recommend to the local government that they make an ordinance as soon as possible and have it implemented right away since the number of whale sharks seen in the area is growing rapidly,” said Fr. Charlie Orobia, OAR, Sea Knights vice president.

Orobia, also vice president for students’ welfare at the University of San Jose-Recoletos, noted that tourists who go to Oslob are allowed to touch the whale sharks even if the guides tell them not to.

Boats, even the motorized ones from Sumilon and neighboring islands get close to the sharks’ feeding ground.

“They should never be touched because whale sharks are a very rare species and they are susceptible to diseases. The boats should maintain a certain distance.
There is a need to educate the boatmen and to let them understand their responsibilities. Tourists should also be briefed on the dos and don’ts before taking a plunge,” he said.

He said that while the presence of the whale sharks will usher in mass tourism and help boost the economy in the town, residents should take care of the whale sharks and the marine ecosystem in the area.
The Sea Knights plan to print out information materials on the proper handling of the whale sharks to be posted at resorts.

Orobia said it would also help to map out guidelines similar to those used in Donsol, Sorsogon.

Felicito Alonto of the Municipal Government admitted that the local government has yet to craft guidelines.

“Bag-o paman gud mi nakahibalo ani (We just learned about this),” he said. He added that markers should be placed to guide motorboats where to drop anchor.

Paz Ling Ling Rozgoni is CEO in Quo Vadis Dive Resort and Visaya Divers and is definitely the most busy woman in Moalboal this year. We have met her to ask about the future for Quo Vadis Dive Resort and Visaya Divers:

Hello Ling Ling. What is your plans for 2012?
Hello hello! Well that is an easy answer. Everything. We are renovating the whole resort and are upgrading the rooms with hot water, TV, WIFI and more. Our guest shall feel at home and shall have nothing to complain about. My policy is 100% satisfied customers. The old management has unfortunately ignored the fact that the customer is right and that is why i am so busy now to make things good again. No time to waste.

How do you look at the future for Moalboal?
Considering the economical setback i guess i should be pessimistic but look around you. All these guest here tells me a different story. Everybody needs a well deserved holiday and our job is to make sure they get good value for their money – and want to come back to us next year.

So you believe that Moalboal is still coming on strong?
I don’t have time to doubt the future. We are fully booked again. My problems are of a more positive nature and i see only possibilities.

What are the best possibilities for the moment?
We have a shoal of whale sharks in nearby Oslob, that our guest love to go and snorkel with. The treasure sharks are still around in Pescador island and the coral reefs are recovering fast. The natural resources here are fantastic and we Filipinos are more aware of nature now then before

Last question before you are meeting with these hard hats guys. What do you wish most for 2012?
I wish that my husband and son will support and understand me and that our guests will appreciate Quo Vadis Dive Resort. I couldn’t ask for more.