Report

Would You Go Underwater for Two Units?

Do you feel tired of being itchy and dried under the hot sun? Do you
pity yourself because you werent able to save your friend? And do you have
P 2,800 just lying around the house and dont know where to spend it? If you
answered yes to any of these questions, then scuba divings just the right PE
for you.
Scuba diving is a kind of underwater diving wherein SCUBA (Selfcontained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) is used. It is a thrilling activity
that calls for a formal training and/or bona fide license. Thus, it is taught in
private scuba diving schools and colleges. One such institution is UP Diliman.
Scuba diving in Diliman, according to UP Scuba Diving Coordinator Prof.
Norberto R. Madrigal, started in the 1980s and was headed by Prof. Gerry de
Villa. Mr. Louie Mencias succeeded Prof. de Villa as the scuba diving
instructor between the late 1990s and 2000s. During these years, classes
were held at the university pool. About five years later, UPs scuba diving
was

affiliated

with

CMAS

or

Confdration

Mondiale

des

Activits

Subaquatiques, which is the international umbrella organization for diver

training organization. Classes were then transferred to Dive Republic in Don
Antonio Heights, Quezon City.
As a former Scuba Diving student said in a UP Open University
Community forum, scuba diving is just one of those weird and fun PE classes
in UP Diliman. But what makes scuba diving really one-of-a-kind?

For one, scuba diving, unlike any other PE classes, isnt free of charge.
According to Patricia Tan, a first year BS BAA and current scuba diving
student, the cost of the class for the whole semester is P 2,800, but this fee
does not cover discovery dives as well as certifications to become licensed
scuba divers.
With P 2,800, students already have access to Dive Republics 12-foot
deep pool and equipments. Tan specified that Dive Republic provides the
scuba diving set, which includes a tank, regulator, pressure indicator,
buoyancy compensator and other equipments, for the students. In addition,
Mr. Benedict Reyes, the course director and head of CMAS in the Philippines,
personally teaches and trains the students with the help of other scuba
instructors of Dive Republic.
Super cheap ang kanyang [Mr. Reyes] sinisingil kasama yung rental at
saka yung lahat ng facilities, Prof. Madrigal stated. (He [Mr. Reyes] charges
very cheap including the rental and all the facilities.)
However, equipments are not complete. I dont know if my regulator is
clean. Hindi ako pwedeng mag-inarte and ask malinis po ba to?,
complained Gianni Dazo, another first year BS BAA and scuba diving student.
(I dont know if my regulator is clean. Im not allowed to be picky and ask Is
this clean?) Tan was not also satisfied with the venue because of the lack of
a private shower area.
Also, what makes scuba diving distinct is that some of the lessons that
are discussed in class are practical and can be applied in real life situation,

such as swimming styles when saving someone, troubleshooting various

problems like a nonfunctional air regulator, various floating techniques and
proper underwater breathing. Other lessons that are taught are utilization of
air tank, assembly of jacket and underwater hand signals.
Unlike the majority of the PE classes in Diliman, scuba diving students
are not required to wear UP PE shirts. According to a past student of scuba
diving Earl Bautista, also a BS BAA freshman, students are required to wear
swimming trunks for men and swim suits for women.
Dazo imparted one of his experiences while training in class. He stated
that they were asked to tread into the 12-foot water without touching the
edge of the pool while carrying weights and if ever someone touches the
edge, he or she would get a deduction of one on his or her grade.
Surprisingly, Dazo said this PE is not hard. Actually, it's a very light PE. I get
dipped in the pool for 20 minutes per week and that's it," he added.
Tan also shared her first experience diving. At first I felt anxious since I
barely knew how to swim. Then I felt scared when we were asked to do the
tasks, but after a while I started to like it since all the instructors are nice.
They never pressure you to do things that you are scared of," Tan said.
Bautista, Dazo and Tan all recommend this PE to all UP students. It's
not everyday that you get to dive underwater, unlike, for example,
basketball. It may be a little pricey but, believe me, it's worth it, Bautista
said. Tan gives a piece of advise, Please know how to swim and dont feel
lazy to attend a class on a Monday.