In the coastal town of Mabini, Batangas, a remarkable transformation is unfolding. What started as a vision is now a reality—former boatmen and fisherfolk are now PADI Certified Dive Masters and professional Anilao Dive Guides. These inspiring individuals are the first graduates of the Pink Argonauts’ Zero to Hero Sponsorship Program, a grassroots initiative aimed at empowering local communities through diving and marine conservation.
The Pink Argonauts (TPA), a passionate group of divers, golfers, and conservationists, launched the Zero to Hero program to offer opportunities to individuals from underprivileged backgrounds. Through intensive training, scholars are guided from Open Water certification to Rescue Diver and finally, Dive Master level. The program is supported by PADI, the world’s leading scuba training organization, which has played a key role in making the final stage of certification possible for these scholars.
This year, five scholars will graduate as Dive Masters. Their success is not just a personal victory—it also signals the growth of responsible dive tourism in Anilao and a future where locals lead conservation efforts in their own waters. With this milestone, TPA now aims to expand the program and double the number of scholars in 2025.
Dive and Golf
Following the success of last year’s gathering of more than 400 participants, The Pink Argonauts return this summer with the second edition of their much-anticipated events: the Golf Tournament and Underwater Photo Competition. These two unique experiences are united by a single mission—raising awareness and support for the local diving community and the marine ecosystem they help protect.
The Underwater Photo Competition is set for May 1 to 4, 2025 at Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas. The Golf Tournament takes place on May 9, 2025 at Mount Malarayat Golf & Country Club in Lipa, Batangas. Both events will raise funds for the expansion of the dive scholarship program while celebrating the vibrant underwater beauty of the Philippines.
World-renowned underwater photographers will once again lend their expertise as judges for the photo competition. David Doubilet, the pioneering National Geographic photographer, will be joined by Jennifer Hayes, a conservationist and aquatic biologist, and Michael Aw, an Emmy Award-winning photographer and founder of Ocean Geographic. Their presence adds prestige to the competition and reflects the event’s global significance in the underwater photography community.
Partners, Sponsors, and a Shared Vision
This year’s events are made possible through the support of the Department of Tourism CALABARZON Region IV-A, and co-presented by Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort, Batangas Scuba Academy, Pacifica Dive, and PADI. Event partners BuildMeUp Corp. and Ocean Geographic join the effort, alongside major sponsors Armscor Global Defense, Inc., Bank of Singapore, and Scubapro. The Hole-In-One prize at the golf tournament is a Segway E-Scooter, generously provided by the Autohub Group.
Wave of Change
Tessa Neri and Marivic Verdadero-Maramot co-founded the Pink Argonauts. Their core team includes Jocs Reyes, Dyna Domingez, Brie Reyes, Arabelle Jimenez, Monch Henares, Joe Padua, and Marco Santos. United by a shared love for diving and giving back, they have created a platform where passion meets purpose—offering the community not just skills, but also hope and opportunity.
Whether you’re a diver, golfer, photographer, or marine enthusiast, there’s a way to support this cause. Join the Golf Tournament, participate in the Photo Competition, or help fund the next batch of scholars through sponsorship.
To register for the golf tournament, visit https://forms.gle/
For more information, contact Tessa at 0917-8842-774 or Avic at 0936-921-5666. You can also email thepinkargonauts@gmail.com and follow The Pink Argonauts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.