Two Brothers, One Mission: Protecting Whale Sharks in Pintuyan, Southern Leyte

Ery and Raul Cordova, brothers who grew up along the coast of Pintuyan, Southern Leyte, have spent over a decade working with and protecting the whale sharks that frequent their local waters. Having spent their entire lives by the ocean—near one of the largest whale shark aggregation sites in the Philippines—the brothers grew up alongside the world's largest shark. They found their passion for conservation, inspired by the awe-inspiring presence of these gentle giants.

Empowering Tomorrow’s Marine Conservationists: Stories of Resilience and Hope

The ocean nourishes us all. Its value encompasses all facets of life, from the food we eat to the livelihood of communities, and the chance to collaborate with different cultures to ensure its protection. Yet today, the ocean needs protectors more than ever, and at the forefront of this mission are motivated individuals like Fatima Clavecillas and Paolo Co, scholars of LAMAVE’s Iskolar ng Dagat program. Their journeys demonstrate how opportunity and determination can turn passion into action and dreams into change.