“𝐍𝐨 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝟒”

The new year for the Dive and Clean-up Club (DCC) starts right with its first event of the year “No Barrier 4” last January 24, 2026, held at the Shangri-la Mactan, Cebu.

“No Barrier 4” is basically a discovery scuba dive event for the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) from the Philippine Accessible Disability Service (PADS) Dragon Boat Racing Team. For the first time, the fifteen (15) PWDs from the PADS team experienced the thrill of scuba diving and explored the underwater world in the pristine waters of Shangrila Mactan, Cebu.

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) was responsible of sending the e-learning to the participants which consists of dive scenarios for them to work through and some medical questionnaire to fill out. After its completion, the participants were given some skills review / refresher which was conducted by Scotty’s Action Sports Network and led by Mr. Zigmund Jess Cid, one of the dive instructors. Scotty's also provided the suits and gears to all the PWD participants as well as the supply of tanks for all divers.

Around thirty (30) licensed divers from DCC came together to facilitate the skills training in the water for the Discover Scuba Dive (DSD) program, to assist the training and to document the event. DCC, being a club which primarily advocates on cleaner seas, collected some garbage along the way, too.

A total of 60 participants, partners, sponsors and volunteers assembled as early as 7:00AM at the Scotty’s dive shop inside Shangrila Mactan resort. Food and drinks were served all throughout the event such as the delicious burgers and iced tea from Dubby’s Ultimate Burgers, premium brownies from Atelier Amelie, and various pastries, overflowing coffee and sumptuous lunch buffet from Shangrila Mactan. The event was joined by Mr. Lloyd Malinao, Marine Biologist of Shangrila Mactan, who opened the program with the welcome address before the dive, Mr. Yohann Fleury, GM of Scotty’s Action Sports Network, who welcomed back the divers and participants after the dive, Ms. Jam Tan-Velez, business owner of V&M Naturals and Atelier Amelie (who flew in from Manila) gave a short warm message.

It was also announced during the program that soon DCC will have a satellite under The Rotary Club of Cebu Gloria Maris for its other community services outside diving. The potential officers and members were asked to come forward to be introduced which was headed by Mr. Raymond Kirby, the soon-to-be-inducted chairman, who also did the closing remarks of the program.

All 30 divers received a certificate of appreciation and a Smoother Me lotion gift from V&M Naturals (perfect to use after diving) while 5 of them won a dining voucher worth P1,000 each from Pukot Kitchen. The sponsors and media partners were also given certificates of appreciation and gif packs from Atelier Amelie and V&M Naturals.

The success of DCC events are always attributed to the service commitment of its divers in collaboration with various partners. Apart from Scotty’s Action Sports Network, Shangri-la Mactan Cebu, PADS Dragon Boat Racing Team and PADI, “No Barrier 4” event was well-supported by Rotary Club of Cebu Gloria Maris, V&M Naturals Skincare, Dubby’s Ultimate Burgers, Atelier Amelie Premium Brownies, Pukot Kitchen, Novellino Wines and Mr. Raymond Kirby of DCC, together with media partners from United Neon Advertising for the LED Billboard ads and LED poster, and Cebu Online News Press Corps with special mention of Cebu Happenings, Chinito Wanders and JmT Mindset.

Ms Ludy Vilma Demecillo, who founded the Dive and Clean-up Club last year, has partnered with PADS founder, Mr. John Paul Maunes, since 2023 for the discovery scuba dive for the PWDs. the last 3 events of “No Barrier” took place in Club Kontiki Diving Resort. DCC has partnered with Scotty’s Action Sports Network and Shangri-la Mactan, Cebu last year for its underwater clean-up dive but it’s the first partnership for the “No Barrier” event. In his short speech, GM Yohann Fleury of Scotty’s Action Sports Network, cited that they look forward to another partnership of similar event before the year ends. Thus, “No Barrier 5” is going to be an anticipated event this 2026.