Puerto Galera Underwater Shootout

26/08/2026

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀. 🌊📸

Our next judge is no stranger to the Shootout panel—award-winning wildlife and underwater photographer 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁 “𝗚𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘆” 𝗧𝘂𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻!

Scott was first handed an underwater camera at the age of 16, beginning a lifelong journey of capturing the wonders of the ocean. Known for his adventurous approach and willingness to push the limits, his work has earned international recognition, including the 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗲 𝗱’𝗢𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 for his co-authored book 𝘈𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘰 in 2000.

His acclaimed 2016 book 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 / 𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 won 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 at the 2017 Underwater Photographer of the Year competition. His achievements continued with a 𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿-𝗨𝗽 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗨𝗣𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟴 for his remarkable blackwater image 𝘐𝘯 𝘏𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨, followed by further recognition in the 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗨𝗣𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭.

A pioneer of blackwater photography in the Philippines and a passionate advocate for marine conservation, Gutsy brings decades of experience, a keen eye for extraordinary marine life, and an adventurous spirit to the judging panel.

Catch him in action at the 𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘂𝘁! 🤿

📅 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟲–𝟮𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
📍 𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮, 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼
📸 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠: https://forms.gle/mZYKQosndEhs9FLW6



Book your flights here at tourism.gov.ph or visit Tourism Philippines page

25/08/2026

𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗢𝗪 | 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 – 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭

The 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 (𝗗𝗢𝗧) – 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲), in collaboration with 𝗗𝗢𝗧 𝗠𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗔 and the 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮 is currently conducting 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 at 𝗟𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝘂𝘅𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗮 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮, 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼, as part of the preparations for the 𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘂𝘁 (𝗣𝗚𝗨𝗦) 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, scheduled on September 16–20, 2026.

The specialized 𝘁𝘄𝗼-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 aims to strengthen and standardize the competencies of dive spotters and equip qualified dive guides with practical knowledge in 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘆, 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. The training also provides participants with a deeper understanding of the vital role that dive spotters play in supporting underwater photographers during competitive underwater photography events.

Serving as resource speakers are 𝗠𝗿. 𝗥𝗮𝗺 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗼, a scuba instructor, technical diver, multi-published underwater photographer, and reef conservation advocate, and 𝗠𝗿. 𝗢𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗴, a scuba diver, dive entrepreneur, scuba instructor, and founder of SCUBA Studio. Mr. Ang has played a key role in the development of the competition management system used for the Anilao Underwater Shootout, one of the region's premier underwater photography competitions.

Through this initiative, 𝗗𝗢𝗧, 𝗗𝗢𝗧 𝗠𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗔, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮 reaffirm their commitment to enhancing Puerto Galera's position as a leading dive and underwater photography destination in the Philippines.

For the Puerto Galera Underwater Shootout, his extensive experience across diverse underwater environments and photographic styles will bring a keen and discerning eye to the competition.

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀. 𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝘀 🤿
📅 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟲–𝟮𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
📍 𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮, 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼
📸 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠: https://forms.gle/mZYKQosndEhs9FLW6



Book your flights here at tourism.gov.ph or visit Tourism Philippines
page.

24/08/2026

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀. 🌊📸

𝗔𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗴 is one of Asia’s most recognized underwater photographers, known for his distinctive lighting style and iconic images that bring a fresh creative perspective to the world beneath the waves.

A 𝗡𝗶𝗸𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿, member of the 𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆, and ADEX Ambassador of Photography, Aaron’s work has earned international acclaim, including recognition from BBC Wildlife, Al-Thani, and Our World Underwater. In 2020, his image 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘺 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 was 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 in the Black & White category of the prestigious Underwater Photographer of the Year competition.

Beyond his photography, Aaron continues to champion ocean conservation, particularly shark protection. He has also remained active in the underwater imaging community, serving as a judge for the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗼 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘂𝘁 and the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗗𝗣𝗚 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, while continuing his work as an ADEX Ocean Citizen Ambassador.

This year, Aaron brings his years of experience, artistic vision, and passion for the ocean to the 𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘂𝘁 🤿

📅 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟲–𝟮𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

📍 𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮, 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼

📸 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠: https://forms.gle/mZYKQosndEhs9FLW6



Book your flights here at tourism.gov.ph or visit Tourism Philippines page

21/08/2026

Meet the Judges. 🌊📸

With an impressive journey through some of Asia’s most celebrated underwater photography competitions, 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗺 brings a truly international perspective to the judging panel of the 𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

His experience includes serving on the judging panels of the 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗨𝗪 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗘𝗭𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘, 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝘂𝗽 𝗯𝘆 𝗨𝗪𝗣𝗜𝗫𝗘𝗟, 𝗢𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘄𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀, 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, and other prestigious underwater photography competitions across the region.

Beyond the competition circuit, Jerome has also organized the 𝗢𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘄𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 and 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿, creating opportunities for underwater photographers to explore, learn, and share their craft.

Jerome’s passion for underwater imagery extends beyond competitions. His recent work was featured in “𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻,” an immersive media art exhibition at 𝗧𝗵𝗲́𝗮̂𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗲̀𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗼𝘂𝗹, 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮, showcasing underwater footage of the Philippines and highlighting the beauty of marine life, coral ecosystems, and the importance of marine conservation and sustainable ocean futures.

For the Puerto Galera Underwater Shootout, his extensive experience across diverse underwater environments and photographic styles will bring a keen and discerning eye to the competition.

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀. 𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝘀 🤿

📅 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟲–𝟮𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

📍 𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮, 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼

📸 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠: https://forms.gle/mZYKQosndEhs9FLW6



Book your flights here at tourism.gov.ph or visit Tourism Philippines page

07/08/2026

The Department of Tourism’s premier underwater photography shootout makes its much-anticipated comeback in one of the Philippines’ top diving destinations!

Join us for the Puerto Galera Underwater Shootout 2026, happening from September 16 to 20, 2026 in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, where professional and amateur underwater photographers, divers, and ocean enthusiasts from around the world will gather for five days of competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable underwater adventures.

Set against the breathtaking marine biodiversity of Puerto Galera, the shootout will showcase the destination’s vibrant reefs, fascinating macro subjects, and diverse marine life through the lens of underwater storytelling.

Known as the gateway to the “Center of the Center” of Marine Biodiversity and recognized as the Best Diving Destination at the DOT Tourism Awards 2025, Puerto Galera offers a spectacular backdrop for capturing the beauty of the Philippines’ underwater world.

The event is held in cooperation with the Department of Tourism Region IV-B MIMAROPA and the Municipality of Puerto Galera.

📸 Register now through this link: https://forms.gle/mZYKQosndEhs9FLW6



Book your flights here at tourism.gov.ph or visit Tourism Philippines page.

14/06/2023

WORDS OF A CHAMPION 🏆

Eric Javier, DOT Photographer of the Year – Compact Class winner of the 8th Anilao Underwater Shootout shares how diving in Anilao and showcasing the wide range of underwater subjects through his camera lens makes him feel.

14/06/2023

WORDS OF A CHAMPION 🏆

Kim Kyung Shin, DOT Photographer of the Year – Open Class winner of the 8th Anilao Underwater Shootout expresses his thoughts on diving in Anilao, and the stroke of photography genius that led to his winning photo, with help from his dive guide.

13/06/2023

"This year’s esteemed panel of judges includes award-winning underwater photographers Aaron Wong, Brook Peterson, Franco Banfi, Rafael Fernandez Caballero, and Scott Gutsy Tuason.

This year’s edition garnered a total of 426 entries across the competition’s 14 categories. Winners were awarded 1.7 million pesos worth of underwater photography gear from event partners and sponsors AOI, Divers Point Co., Fourth Element, Marelux, Migalabs, Nauticam, Nautilus Dive and Sports Center, Raptor Case, Scubalamp, Scuba Studio, Squires Sports, and XDeep."

https://www.traveldailynews.asia/asia-pacific/philippines-s-colorful-marine-life-takes-the-spotlight-in-dots-anilao-underwater-shootout/

Amateur and professional underwater photographers beautifully captured the teeming marine biodiversity of Anilao in the entries to the 8thi Anilao Underwater Shootout (AUS) mounted by the Department of Tourism (DOT) […]