Sea Marine Feastival 2007

The Sea has been the source and cradle of life on Earth for over 3 billion years. Without the Sea there could be no life on this planet. Our Seas occupy 70.98% of our planet's surface and provide 99 percent of the Earth's living space - the largest space in our universe known to be inhabited by living organisms. The Sea has more plants and more animals than land. Of the 33 biological groups of animals, 28 of them have links to the Sea thus only 5 of them are entirely terrestrial. The Sea acts as both heaters and air conditioners; ocean currents move warm water to cold areas and likewise from cold to warm. The Ocean absorbs heat in summer and releases it in winter. The ocean and marine life consume huge amounts of carbon dioxide, and much more oxygen is produced and released through oceanic photosynthesis than by all the earth's terrestrial plants and forests combined. Most of us give little attention to the Sea. We celebrate our country's National Day, we celebrate our birthday, we celebrate the New Year, we even have bank holidays, yet through the ages, none of us, kingdom, nation or country had ever taken time to celebrate the Sea... the very essential element that keeps us all alive. Unlike the sky that is mostly clear in sight, the Sea is a big pond of water, that has conveniently become a big dumping ground for our waste. Does that plead our ignorance and justify our apathy? We need to develop a greater affinity with the Sea, for in the end, we can only protect what we love. We owe it to ourselves and our children to preserve the well being of the Sea; there's nothing quite like it on land that is comparable to the resources and entertainment of our Seas. Now in its 6th year, the Celebrate the Sea Festival uses the beauty of the Sea to not only entertain and inspire, but more importantly to empower people into action that will preserve our natural environment. The Oscars of underwater imagery will be the centrepiece of the Celebrate the Sea Festival - we invite you to celebrate the sea with us....indulge and experience the award wining images, films, children's paintings from over 38 countries. Enjoy the Sea

In its effort to promote the Philippines as one of the best diving destinations in the world, the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) collaborates with Ocean Environment Australia in the staging of the 6th Celebrate the Sea Marine Imagery Festival (CSMIF) in Manila on September 21 to 23, 2007 at the Coconut Palace.

CSMIF is the biggest imaging event of the sea in the Asia Pacific. Since 2002, the annual festival previously held in Singapore and Malaysia has attracted entries from over 38 countries.

Conducted in association with the World Festival of Underwater Pictures, Antibes also known as the Cannes of Underwater Film Festival, the presenters proposed to take CSMIF to Manila in 2007 with the intention to make the city the permanent home for the festival for three years. This will position Manila as the capital of underwater imagery in the Asia Pacific.

PDOT Assistant Secretary and Executive Director of the Philippine Commission on Sports and Scuba Diving Cynthia Carrion enthused, "We are pleased that the country has been chosen as the venue of this prestigious event. Placing the Philippines in the map of international dive sites."

"Divers attending the festival from all over the world will be drawn to our numerous dive spots." Carrion added, "The divers will not only enjoy our underwater attractions but also our world-class facilities, above the ground sceneries and the warm Filipino hospitalities. "

"The festival has evolved to be one of the most important international events of the sea as it raises the awareness and public interest in marine life. It inspires and motivates people to protect and preserve our natural environment. "

The event is comprised of children's painting competition, an exhibit of marine feature documentaries, international prints competition and posters display on marine environmental issues.

There will also be seminars by a panel of world renowned image makers and marine scientists such as David Doubilet of National Geographic, Jennifer Hayes (aquatic ecologist), Brad Norman (whale shark scientist), Michael Aw (author of Celebrate the Sea), Daniel Mercier (founder of World Underwater Picture Festival) and Scott Tuason (author of Anilao and Bahura).

Principal highlights of the event are: the international Underwater Imagery Competitions -- the centerpiece of the Celebrate the Sea Festival with $30,000 worth of prizes up for grabs. It is the most prestigious underwater imaging competition in the Asia Pacific. Open to anyone in the world, the macro, wide angle and black and white photographs, digital images, short video and feature documentary films, and books all add to the international flair to this festival. In 2006, 4,500 entries came from 38 countries.

The Philippines WOW Shoot-out Competition will be held from September 16-20, 2007. Competitors are invited to compete at any of the supporting resorts/operators. They will just have to submit their entries for judging on Friday, September 21, 2007. Results will be announced during the award ceremony along with the results of the international competition.

Lastly, is the international Underwater Film Festival; Fifteen award-winning documentary features from the World Underwater Pictures Festival Antibes will be specially brought for screening through the 3-day weekend festival. Selected entries from the films in competition will also be shown.

Photographers and filmmakers may send in their entries to compete for the following prestigious titles: The WOW Award -- for the most outstanding image; The Hi-Five Award -- for the highest scoring or the most well-balanced portfolio; and The Quick Draw Award -- for the best action shot.