Under the Sea

CEBU, Philippines - The myriad and colorful array of underwater creatures can’t live under the sea without corals because they serve as the home of Nemo the clown fish (of Finding Nemo) and all other species of fish. Corals are breeding grounds for the fish.

Did you know that corals are not just mere sea stones? They are animals! Corals are dubbed as the “living rocks”. They usually sleep during the day and are wide awake at nighttime. Corals are not sea decorations, considering their magnificent hues and formations. They are manifestations of how bountiful our seas are.

Last Sunday, kids from Marie Ernestine School gathered at Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa to show off their creativity and showcase the beauty of our corals through a fun-filled art painting contest in line with the celebration of the Coral Triangle Day.

The Philippines is part of The Coral Triangle along with Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Timor Leste. It is where the world’s richest marine diversity can be found.  These countries formed the shape of a triangle when viewed in the map. The Coral Triangle is one of the three most protected eco-regions in the world aside from the Amazon Forest and the Congo Basin.

During the activity, the kids were taught to protect the underwater gems, the fascinating underwater world of 3,000 species of fish, various species of dolphins, sea grasses and numerous coral species.

Art for the Coral Triangle winners are:

Category A: Elementary

1st: Dominice Pegarido — Marie Ernestine School

2nd: Janna Victoria Toralba — Marie Ernestine School

3rd: Prince Alvin Redido — Marie Ernestine School

Category B: High School

1st: Iolo Juan B. Emphasis — Sacred Heart School Ateneo de Cebu

2nd: James Hanz Nave Uy — Sacred Heart School Ateneo de Cebu

3rd: Mae Marie Alliana Manubag — Marie Ernestine School

Winners received gift certificates (a dinner buffet for four) from Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa.