The 1st Asian Underwater Federations' Photography Championship, organised by the Philippine Association of Underwater Activities (PAUA) produced some remarkable pictures

From the 26th to the 30th November 2011 the Philippines Island of Cebu gave home to the 1st Asian Underwater Federations' Photography Championship, organised by the Philippine Association of Underwater Activities producing a number of professional pictures. The host federation, the Philippine Association of Underwater Activities (PAUA) headed by its founder, Mr. B. Reyes, started the photo competition as an "Extra-CMAS" underwater federation following CMAS standards for a couple of years, and by the closing ceremony, held on the 30th November, became the newest member federation of CMAS. The reason being, that the Board of Directors of CMAS, - on its 175th session, held on the 26th November 2011- with a unanimous vote approved the request of PAUA to join the Confederation and decided to have it as a Sport Committee voting member.

Both, the successful championship, as well as the host federation's accession to CMAS will give a considerable push to the dissemination of CMAS standards in the Philippines resulting in improved divers's training, as well as in a decreasing number of diving accidents in the waters of the country, taking into consideration that PAUA is closely cooperating in the diving matters, organisation and conduct of recreational diving with the Philippine Life Saving Society.

Winning photos are seen in the attachments. The overall winner of the 1st Asian Underwater Photo Championship, i. e. the First Asia Underwater Photo Champion  is Mr.Jung Hee Cheol from Busan-Korea.

The competition's importance was witnessed by a great number of sponsors  like airlines, hotels, holiday resorts, the municipalities of Cebu and Lapo-Lapo, Philippine Finswimming Federation,  etc. Photographers's dives were organised by Aquadive-Cebu, one of the area's reputable and best known dive centres. The presence of several CMAS BoD members, together with the President of the Visual Commission gave the due weight to the Championship.  The awarding ceremony's highlight was , - besides the announcement of the winners and the Asia Champion of course, - when the  present CMAS Vice President handed over in public the letter of the President of CMAS to Mr. Benedict Reyes with the good wishes and congratulations extended by the CMAS Family to the newest member of the Confederation.