text and photos by Czaldy

    Pundits says that there’s nothing much to do in Padada, on the contrary, there are a lot.   
    All it takes are some zest of adventurism and a lucid mind to make use of the naturally 
    endowed charm that we have rather than look for things that we have not just like we did
    last June 25, 2005.

    Major Alexis Bravo and company arrived in Padada late in the afternoon on the 24^th from 
    Cagayan de Oro City via Cotabato. Plans for the scuba diving and shooting were discussed
    over dinner as the group has to stay overnight in the city. A high tide and very calm water
    greeted us as we arrived at Mayor’s Beach in Piape the following day. We geared up in the
    resort as doing so in the outrigger boat was difficult before heading for Kolagsing.
    Excitement brewed, as the turquoise clear water was very inviting coupled by good coral
    formations upon descent. With a maximum depth of 80ft, we navigated underwater for
    almost an hour as the myriad of colorful corals and fishes awed us. The outrigger brought
    us to the white powdery sand of the shore where the sumptuous “sinugba” awaits.
    Second dive was supposed to be at the shipwreck but decided to explore Kolagsing more
    since the visibility was perfect and the underwater scenery awesome. We hit the water
    after an hour and traversed against the slight current, a small school of jacks appeared as
    Major Bravo failed to hunt the elusive lobster while Major Cuerpo was curious with the sea
    urchins. We went back to Piape after the second dive for another event.       

    After a quick rinse and preparation, we headed for Campo 10 for the PA  Jess Dureza
    Shooting Competition at the Seagull Firing Range. It’s a world class competition attended
    by hobbyists nationwide. Team MIB is composed of Majors Alexis Bravo, Jaime Abawag,
    Poker Cuerpo  Capts. Tamano and De la Cruz. The team managed to finish 3 of the 7
    seven stages of the event in that afternoon after two scuba dives, if not for the looming
    dusk, they would have finished them all. The rest of the stages were finished the day after.

      (see details of the competition separately).
   
    Seagull Firing Range - Campo 10

    Scuba Dive Team2005