Tubbataha: A National Treasure exhibit opens at Glorietta

“Tubbataha: A National Treasure” opened at Glorietta 4 last October 3. The public is invited to view the exhibit, free of charge, until October 31. Gracing the launch ceremonies were Consul Patsy Zobel De Ayala, Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez, Usec Kat De Castro of Department of Tourism, Cesar Romero, Country Chairman of Shell Companies and Angelique Songco of the Tubbataha Management Office. They were also joined by artists Tet Lara and Marissa Foirendo and WWF Ambassadors Iza Calzado, Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, Marc Nelson, Rovilson Fernandez and Piolo Pascual

“Tubbataha: A National Treasure” is composed of 22 large-scale underwater photographs featuring the exceptional beauty and ecological diversity in the largest marine protected area in the Philippines. The photos were taken by National Geographic photographers David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes, and Filipino underwater photographer and Tubbataha advocate Maria Teresa Lara.

Declared a World Marine Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a 970 sq km natural park off Cagayancillo, Palawan. It is part of the so-called Coral Triangle, where over 70 percent of the known coral genera and 40 percent of all known reef fish can be found. In addition, droves of birds, turtles, and sharks consider Tubbataha a sanctuary.

“The exhibit is a celebration of the breathtaking beauty of Tubbataha,” says Patricia Zobel de Ayala. “At the same time it’s also our way of stressing just how important it is to protect this natural wonder. The protection of Tubbataha has an impact on the lives of all Filipinos, and therefore we all need to play a part in taking care of it.”

“Tubbataha: A National Treasure” is made possible with the support of Ayala Malls, Ayala Foundation, the Antonio O. Floirendo Foundation, the Department of Tourism, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, El Nido Resorts, Globe Telecom, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Manila Water Company, Dévant TV, and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

The exhibition panels will also be available for sale. Proceeds from the sale of the panels will benefit the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.