Photos by Star Sabroso
Summer season calls for so many water adventures and most of us are gearing for that outdoor fun on the open beach to take a dip in the water, snorkel, do some water sports, and take a deep dive to see marine life. With all these outdoor activities, we usually pack bottles and bottles of SPFs to shield our skin from the harmful rays of the sun. And that should be all right; with the current condition of our ozone layer, we need to arm ourselves with as much protection as we can to avoid skin damage. Problem is, if you are heading towards the open sea, you have to be responsible for the living creatures inhabiting the waters.
Annually, 5,000 metric tons of sunscreen particles wash off from our bodies to the open sea. Studies prove that chemicals in bottled sunscreens are highly toxic to corals, and nanoparticles from SPF bottles cause harm to phytoplanktons, and this in turn affects everything that feeds on them – from shrimps, small fishes, and even whales. Humans have been applying sunblock since it was invented and released to the public in the ‘30s. Over the years, the chemicals used have been advanced and upgraded, making them more potent as a protector but also potent killers of marine life. Chemicals in each bottle of sunscreen, like parabens, oxybenzone, and benzophenone, can bleach corals within just 96 hours of exposure.
In the Philippines, tourism is booming because of our marine life. With the influx of visitors, it is imperative that our waters be conserved and protected while enjoyed. Ecotourism is becoming more and more supported by brands and environmental organizations. Even the government is moving towards a sustainable ecotourism program for the country. However, people are still misguided on what ecotourism really means as continuous promotion of sites are branded as ecotourism, yet the principles that must be observed for the community as well as the visitors do not constitute ecotourism at all.
“When you say you will save the Philippine seas, that’s such a tall order for any individual which is just you and me, a weekend warrior or a travel enthusiast,” explains Human Nature’s group category manager Zinia Avellaneda. “How can I do that, I just really like going out to the sea but when you think about it, one of the major concerns, which is coral bleaching, can be traced back to tourists’ habits. So, just making those small inspiring changes makes a big difference,” she shares during the open water adventure launch of SafeProtect Marine Conservation Tours, a project spearheaded by Human Nature, known as a social entrepreneurial company that is pro-Philippines and pro-environment; Route +63, a social enterprise that promotes the Philippines through tourism; and Save Philippine Seas, an independent organization created to protect our country’s coastal and marine life through information, education, and communication activities and community-based projects.
The conservation tours aim to inspire travelers to be responsible in protecting marine life by taking into consideration what they bring into the open sea. The program allows travelers to choose from three of the most inhabited and majestic reef-protected areas: Masinloc in Zambales, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, and Bohol.
“Human Nature SafeProtect sunscreens are really reef friendly and 100 percent natural,” shares Avellaneda. Touted as the first genuinely Philippine made reef friendly sunscreen, SafeProtect could be your best partner in enjoying any activity out in the open seas. “We are not just selling just another tube of sunscreen, it really goes a long way into helping out the environment and the Philippines,” she stresses. According to her, the conservation tours project is one of the best ways to communicate what Human Nature stands for and what Route +63 and Save Philippine Seas aim to protect –ecotourism at its core, enjoying the underwater treasures of our country and at the same time protecting and conserving them for future generations.
The tour package includes accommodations, transfers, travel insurance, select meals, interactive marine conservation-themed tours, and one free Human Nature 100% Natural SafeProtect Sunscreen (50g).
For the Masinloc tour in northern Zambales, the itinerary includes San Salvador Island, Yaha Mangrove Forest, and Bacala Sandbar. Puerto Princesa offers firefly watching and exploration of the Subterranean River National Park and the Sabang Mangrove Forest including a trip to see the sights of Honda Bay. Bohol on the other hand highlights a visit to the Abatan Community Life, SAVIMA Mangrove Adventure, Pamilacan Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling, and a visit to the Chocolate Hills and the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary in Corella.
“By minimizing the carbon footprint you bring in the water, you have already made a huge difference especially for someone that frequently goes to the beach,” says Avellaneda. “So the target market really is people who really love going out and love the outdoors but also like to protect their playground.”
The SafeProtect Marine Conservation Tours will run until May 2016.
For more information, visit route63travels.com/hn-safeprotect.
