ForewordAfter moving to Davao from Taiwan, I spent the last 10 months exploring the seas of SouthernPhilippines, a few of the trips were under the auspices of Department of Tourism, Philippines,while planning and putting together this inaugural issue and will continue to work alongside withthem to source for the weird and bizarre! Dive Mindanao is a collation of observations andfifindings be it in the form of slugs, shells, sardines, scorpionfifish or sharks, these highly elusivecreatures are not often encountered. We want to bring you what thrills us. The fifirst objective isto provide documentation of the marvels of Philippines to the general public, second is toinspire preservation and conservation of marine life by showcasing these weird creatures andlastly, to advocate the appreciation of science and wonders of marine life in our quest as citizenscientists.We are so thankful for the geographical location of Mindanao as this gives marine life anadvantage to proliferate in the region. In juggling time between putting this magazine up,chasing contributors, catching the tide for spectacular encounters underwater and keepingdivers occupied with a mission, I managed to squeeze in a reconnaissance trip to CamiguinIsland in the North of Mindanao to capture some action on multimedia. So much to see and solittle time to do it. I got to do some ‘bonfifire diving’ with Ram Yoro who does fascinating work ofshooting plankton, and learnt what all these flflotsam do to stay inconspicuous!  Check out his work on Peeking Into The World of Plankton as you flflip thepages to get acquainted on the offerings of Dive Mindanao. See how themenacing crown-of-thorns are biologically controlled during an exercise asRodney Jao reports on Page 8 - 9. If you are not a diver and thinking of takingthe plunge, read what sums up SCUBA by Wolfgang Mehl on Page 20.Thinking of how today’s technology propounds marine science and knowledge,the appreciation of our oceans start with media shared over social networks.This, we hope, would be your directory of reference to marine life behaviour aswe work to document them in our quest for discoveries! Till the next issue,happy bubbling!   3 of 24Giant Frogfifish yawning. Master ofstealth, camouflflaged to ambushunsuspecting prey.Your Editor,Pamela LimNDL Instructor Examiner6174