2014: A Year of Discoveries & Trial by Fire

The Filipino Cave Divers started the year 2014 with a series of epic discoveries. Mid-year, it suffered a devastating loss of a beloved co-founder. Forging ahead through such bitter challenge, the organization maintained its core values and expanded its membership, networks and partners. The future of the country’s underwater cave explorations, protection and management is secure in the vision that FCD has set forth. The FCD is discovering more of its potential and 2015 is going to be another year of awesome discoveries indeed!

January 12, 2014– The Siargao Island was initially explored by Doc Amores, Lyndon Cubillan and Larry Williams. Located in Barangay Tuburan were 3 promising springs that were reported (by locals) to connect Tuburan II to Tuburan I some 2 kilometers away. https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/01/16/search-for-new-underwater-caves-siargao-island/

January 20, 2014– The Pawod Cave was surveyed by Doc Amores, Lyndon Cubillan, Andy Berame and Jaime Lapac. This survey was to determine if the area suffered any damage during the Oct. 15, 2013 earthquake which, at its epicenter in Bohol, registered 8-9 in intensity. No damage was observed in any of the areas especially in the main chamber, and main tunnel.
https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/01/21/pawod-and-the-big-earthquake-of-2013/

January 26, 2014– The Pawod Cave was relined by Doc Amores, Andy Berame and Jaime Lapac. Several cave divers using the cave had been leaving temporary lines in the area that were confusing. These temporary lines were removed by the team and yellow permanent lines were installed.
https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/01/26/relining-of-docs-chamber-of-pawod-underwater-cave/

February 23, 2014– Doc Amores and Jake Miranda went to Tagbilaran, Bohol to attend the 18th National Cave Committee meeting chaired by the Biodiversity Management Bureau. Together they presented the credentials and exploration reports of the FCD to the committee. After viewing the presentation, NCC Chair and BMB Director Mundita Sison-Lim said, “With cave diving expertise now locally available, we have a partner in FCD to finally explore the numerous freshwater and sea caves in the different parts of the country. Previously we had to rely on foreign expertise. This partnership boosts our local capability to conduct studies on cave geology and biodiversity inside the underwater caves.”
https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/02/27/fcd-attends-the-18th-national-cave-committee-meet/

February 27, 2014– Jake Miranda added one more letter to the cave divers TGADL acronym. FCD now utilizes the mnemonic “Thank God All Divers Live Long”. L (ong) stands for Local. As his article explains, “Local knowledge of the cave includes cave geologic characteristics and composition, water flow, depths, chambers, established lines, and important data from previous expeditions. The new letter in the acronym is added to reflect the need for the cave diver to properly study the cave and prepare for his dive inside its environment. Each cave is different and presents unique challenges to the cave diver.” https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/02/27/thank-god-all-divers-live-long/

April 2 – 3, 2014– Doc Amores, Lydon Cubillan, Jaime Lapac, Ferdinand Edralin, Jake Miranda and Larry Williams returned to Siargao Island to explore the several sites in the area. The Del Carmen Cenote No. 1 was considered by the team as an epic find. As Doc Amores reported, “The water movement in the area is affected by the tidal flow. With proper tide timing, this can either be a no-current dive or a spring dive with significant flow for pull-and-glide dive propulsion exercises.”
https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/04/09/the-del-carmen-cenote-1-a-classic-underground-riversinkhole/

https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/04/18/kantoloi-twin-cenotes-of-pilar-siargao-island/

April 5, 2014– The Siargao Exploration team proceeded to explore the other sites in Del Carmen, Siargao Island. The crown jewel of the expedition was the discovery of the “Inner Sanctum”. Bamboo ladders and skills in rappelling were required to access the water’s edge. https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/04/09/the-inner-sanctum-of-del-carmen/

May 17, 2014– Doc Amores signed-off 3 new FCD members that he started training a few months back. Considered certified as FCD Cave Divers are Dean Apistar, Ferdinand Edralin and Marc Berame.
https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/05/17/new-fcd-members/

June 17, 2014– A very bleak point in the history of FCD was when Doc Amores passed away while exploring the Hinatuan Enchanted River. An undiagnosed heart condition was the cause of his death. He was recovered by Jake Miranda inside the main chamber, 40 meters deep with his right hand intentionally wrapped in the cave line. It was assumed that he did it so that he wouldn’t drift deeper into the cave. Doc’s last decision made the recovery safer for the team.
https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/07/08/doc-amores-an-explorer/

June 25, 2014– In the shadow of Doc Amores’ passing and during his wake, the FCD held its first election of officers. Elected as President and Vice- President is Bernil H. Gastardo and Andy Berame respectively. The Board of Directors and the new officers vowed to continue Doc’s advocacy to protect and preserve the country’s underwater caves and marine resources.
https://filipinocavedivers.com/about/the-fcd-core-group/

July 2, 2014– 7 Concept Note proposals for the exploration and consequent protection of 2 sites in Cebu and 5 sites in CARAGA region were sent to the main office of the DENR-GIZ Protected Area Management Enhancement (PAME) Project. These proposals were initially worked on by Doc Amores.

August 11, 2014– The Final Proposals for the survey and protection of cave sites in Cebu and CARAGA region were hand-carried to the PAME HQ in Quezon City by Joseph Nacario to meet the deadline. This was after a rigorous 4 days & 3 nights writing binge by the FCD proposal writing team composed of Jake Miranda, Joseph Nacario and Dean Apistar.

September 8, 2014– Executive Order 2014-24 which is “An Order Organizing Task Force Pawod” was enforced by the Lapu-Lapu City Hall. The committee is composed of 12 members– the City’s elected officials, executives and 1 private organization (FCD). The initial meetings opened a lot of possibilities for the development and protection of the Pawod Underwater Cave System. A management workshop will be conducted on January 2015.
https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/07/26/docboys-cave-aka-the-pawod-underwater-cave-system/

September 26, 2014– The FCD held its 1st Convention in Mactan. Members joined in the survey of Pawod and an Advanced Buoyancy, Trim and Propulsion Workshop was conducted by UTD Instructor, Juan Naval. https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/10/17/the-1st-fcd-convention/

October 14, 2014– Alex Santos conducted an IANTD Cave Diver training in the exotic and beautiful Paglugaban Cave in El Nido, Palawan.
https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/11/09/the-paglugaban-cave-of-el-nido-palawan/

November 28, 2014– The FCD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of San Carlos- Biology Department for the exploration and study of the underwater caves in the country. https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/11/29/fcd-and-usc-a-partnership-for-the-underwater-caves-of-the-philippines/

Dec. 1, 2014– A contract was awarded to FCD by GIZ to survey 4 underwater cave systems until May 2015. The sites to be surveyed starting January 2015 are Casili (January), Silop (February), Hinatuan (March), and Bababu (April).
https://filipinocavedivers.com/2014/12/07/a-journey-of-discovery/