"Where it All Began" - Tubbataha Reefs, Philippines // Life, Uncharted Ch.01 [Documentary]

Spearheading my new adventure documentary series is a trip to Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the crown jewel of diving in the Philippines. I have been diving Tubbataha since 2014, and for this 10th year visit, I'm taking you with me to show you why it's my favorite place in the world. Accompanying me is underwater cinematographer, Boogs Rosales. "Where it All Began", is my love letter to Tubbataha Reefs.
This episode was made possible with support from Artifact.io and their partners in NFTs for good, Tubbataha Management Office, and Master Liveaboards / Philippine Siren.
Life Uncharted is an adventure documentary series that follows filmmaker, photographer, and National Geographic explorer Noel Guevara as he explores and captures the beauty of our natural world. Conservation, sustainability, and animal welfare are covered throughout the series, in line with Noel's advocacies. "Where it All Began" - Tubbataha Reefs, Philippines // Life, Uncharted [Documentary]
Chapters:
00:00 Hook
00:50 Life, Uncharted
01:38 History with Tubbataha
03:20 Getting to Tubbataha
04:03 Philippine Siren
05:12 Day 1
07:45 Day 2
10:32 Bird Islet
12:44 Day 3
16:33 Day 4
19:58 Day 5
23:31 Final Thoughts
24:11 Credits
Special Thanks
Artifact.io
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
Master Liveaboards / Philippine Siren
► SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL: / noelguevara
► FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM: / noelguevaraphoto AND / theroadworthyman
UW PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR:
Sony A1: amzn.to/3XZScAZ
Sony 28-70mm f3.5-5.6 OSS: amzn.to/3Q9J6jm
Nauticam NA-A1 Housing: www.nauticam.com/products/na-...
Nauticam WACP-1: www.nauticam.com/products/n10...
INON Z330 Strobes: www.inon.jp/customer/discontin...
VLOGGING GEAR:
GoPro Hero 10 Black: amzn.to/44DXO6C
GoPro MediaMod: amzn.to/3Oosd2X
GoPro Volta Grip: amzn.to/3DrTzyZ
GoPro Underwater Housing: amzn.to/3Oo7nR8
GoPro MAX 360: amzn.to/3Oo7nR8
GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini: amzn.to/3q0BLb4
GoPro Max Lens Mod: amzn.to/3KaZR9T
DJI Mic: amzn.to/3Oqa4Sw
DJI Mavic 3 + Fly More Combo: amzn.to/3rCDp3d
MUSIC:
@themusicbed : www.musicbed.com/invite/UmC5b
@epidemicsound : www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Motion Graphics & Titles: Motion Array
Captions by Rev
For business inquiries, email: [e-mail]

[@NoelGuevara]

Would love to hear from those who have been to Tubbataha! If not, what is your favorite spot / destination on the planet?

[@FurlongChase1]

Was on the trip with Bruce one week after you guys! Non whale sharks this year on our trip but still a great time.

[@NoelGuevara]

Hello@@FurlongChase1 ! Oh sorry to hear about no whale sharks! But what else did you see? Thanks for watching!

[@julambre]

PHILIPPINES ARE SO MUCH BLESSED.

[@SihyungLee-tm1uc]

Veautuful , crazyyy

[@nikkoadeser9524]

I just hope that one day I can get to dive here ✨Manifesting✨

[@BigRockNor]

Excellent 😎🇳🇴

[@robertshort9121]

Thanks for the great video--very impressive. I was scheduled to dive Tubbataha but the trip was cancelled because of covid--two years in a row. I've dived at many different places in the Philippines but Tubbataha is on the top of my wish list but keeps eluding me. Favorite dive site (sites) are the Socorro Islands off the coast of Mexico--also only dived from liveaboard boats. Mantas, mantas and more giant mantas plus different sharks on every dive--including many hammerheads. I've had the pleasure of making three trips there and hopefully will return again soon. I will be diving in the Philippines again this July (2024) but that is long past the season to dive Tubbataha--but I'll make it there one day I'm sure. Good diving!

[@NizarBOYETKAmmad]

Thank you for the documentary you've done. You bring us there. I love those beautiful sites.... ❤❤❤❤❤

[@NoelGuevara]

Appreciate the kind words. Thanks for watching!

[@jeffy_sario132]

Sir good evening I love your video,,❤,,hehehe,, I remember very clearly now my tubbataha experience in 3 months yes the whole season I was a guide for 1 of the liveabroard,, one tip about the hammer heads,,hehehe,, malayan wreck from the drop or the wall,, 15 to 20 kick of a regular fins spend 2 to mins,, hehehe and then amazing encounter will I just hope its still accurate it serves me well when I was guiding there,, my pride and my joy to be the first one discovered it,, from then on I heard a lot of fellow guides made it,,hehe salamat po

[@Sjonkel]

Love it! Keep up the good work

[@marlonmanaga5745]

Nice! Congratulations 🎉

[@NoelGuevara]

Thank you! Appreciate the support!

[@oliverarceo2004]

Great great video

[@NoelGuevara]

Thank you for watching!

[@danpat4640]

Congratulations. I enjoyed your documentary. Thank you for bringing us non divers to the underwater. BEAUTIFUL!

[@NoelGuevara]

Thank you for all the support! It should be made known that that pair of board shorts is my favorite I bring them on every dive trip!

[@sower-ctkkeepsake2880]

Great story teller, Noel! I could feel your enthusiam and love for the marine life. So informative and interesting . Our country's pride. You deserve a Nobel prize award for trailblazing this endeavor. Woo hoot .... proud ninang here 👏

[@NoelGuevara]

Thank you for watching, Ninang! Tubbataha is wonderful and it needs to be shared with others!

[@jomaclejo]

Awesome episode dude!!!

[@NoelGuevara]

Hey thanks man! Thanks for watching!

[@chrismenjou3305]

Heading there in 7 weeks... bookmarking to watch and looking forward to it

[@warrenhabaluyas855]

The dream! Hope I can join you there para may maganda akong pics 😂

[@PrakashMatada]

Loved it, Noel; it's a fantastic video. Looking forward for more.

[@NoelGuevara]

It means a lot coming from you, buddy! Thanks for all the inspiration and support during the summit!

[@erikamuros]

Great video, direk! Can't wait to watch the rest 👏

[@NoelGuevara]

Aw thanks Eka! So happy you liked it. High five to Max and his skin care routine

[@user-bp6lb8pu5w]

Awesome video Noel, thanks for sharing! Looking forward to visiting this wonderful place again next year, hopefully...

[@NoelGuevara]

Thanks for watching! I may be leading a trip next year. Would love for you to join!

[@SabineMProbst]

Amazing documentary Noel! Can`t wait to explore more places through your eyes!

[@NoelGuevara]

Thanks Summit Buddy! Glad you enjoyed it; means a lot!

[@phonycore]

Ang ganda sa tubbataha! Want ko din mag dive

[@NoelGuevara]

Super bagay sa inyo ni Aaron! You'll enjoy it so much! Tara na sa Burnwater outing!

[@MabelDemavivas]

Congrats on the first episode! Can't wait to watch the rest!

[@NoelGuevara]

Wow! first comment! You were really serious! Haha thanks Mabes! :D

[@MabelDemavivas]

@@NoelGuevara I was obedient when you said "hit the notification bell" when you started the channel years ago 😂 done watching, wow this is making me miss diving so much. Hope to dive with you and Pam soon!

[@underwatercactus]

even before i became a diver, I am already fascinated by tubbataha. Now that i have become one, I know one day i will be diving those places..fingers crossed🤞

[@NoelGuevara]

Just a few steps more! It will be worth the wait. Thanks for watching!

[@underwatercactus]

@@NoelGuevara thanks😊it was also a blessing having you work for what you love sir😊

[@martinacabrera9446]

wow !! its one of my dream to visit here in Tubbataha Reefs someday.

[@NoelGuevara]

You should! I think all Filipinos who could, should visit Tubbataha at least once. It's truly a national treasure. Thanks for watching!

[@lexuy]

Ganda super! Thank you for sharing and capturing these!

[@NoelGuevara]

Thank you! Thanks for watching!

[@lifeinfullblomdahl]

Love this episode! I really need to go next year.

[@NoelGuevara]

Let's go!!! Thanks for watching! Boogs stole the show to be honest 😅

[@markcarunungan6545]

Great Documentary / Storytelling! This really makes want to just go to Tubbataha already!

[@NoelGuevara]

Thanks man! Hope you can join us next year!

[@dianatom5242]

i love how this video is educational and entertaining at the same time, great work!

[@NoelGuevara]

That is exactly what I was aiming for so this means so much to me. Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ronellaaronamarilla]

Solid direk ❤🎉🤙🏻

[@NoelGuevara]

Couldn't have been possible without your illustrations! Salamat!

[@brixguevarra7104]

Nice video sir Noel!

[@NoelGuevara]

Thanks for watching, Brix and for the constant support!

[@JagGarcia]

awesome stuff!!! love the personal - yet universal - nature of the storytelling... your personal videographer is pretty awesome too hahahhaa also: "I found myself alone on the reef"... haven't we all at some point on Tubbataha? HAHAHAHAHAHA!

[@NoelGuevara]

Hahahaha yes and by design most of the time! Yeah was lucky to pick up a stray videographer on the way to the reefs. 🤣

[@romips9839]

It's like production documentary quality. You are great storyteller

[@NoelGuevara]

Wow, thank you! This really means a lot. Appreciate the support and glad you enjoyed it!

[@underwatermarvels3206]

Tubbataha is amazing... had great time there... never saw so many sharks like in Tubbataha... every single dive saw sharks! Wonderful

[@NoelGuevara]

It has the highest density of reef sharks in the world, based on the latest study. Amaizng indeed!

[@Chris-rj2pf]

Wow! Nice documentary. This is my dream adventure. Now I know you’re the person behind those large images in NAIA. Hope to explore the world soon.

[@NoelGuevara]

Thanks for watching! Haha, just two of the billboards. Second episode coming up in two weeks!

[@JeuniceMariano]

Incredibly inspiring-both to dive and to capture the beauty of nature, direk. The line that gripped me was "...when given the chance, nature can recover." Thanks for sharing your view with us as honest and as masterful as you did with this piece.

[@NoelGuevara]

Thank you so much for watching, Jeunice! Tubbataha is a national (and natural) treasure, but is also akin to a canary in a coal mine when put in the perspective of our pressing issues today.

[@ktpro]

Nice video Noel! Wish I knew how to swim. 🙂

[@NoelGuevara]

Thanks man! Actually, you don't need to know how to swim to go scuba diving! You just need to learn how to sink! Haha

[@chumq]

The beginning of ❤

[@NoelGuevara]

-Love- Christmas is all around me, that's how the feeling goes!

[@chumq]

@@NoelGuevara Do you feel it in your fingers? Do you feel it in your toes?

[@tinamalafo3784]

BIG SALUTE TO YOU SIR, HELP EDUCATE THE PEOPLE THERE TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

[@NoelGuevara]

Thanks for watching!

[@NizarBOYETKAmmad]

Tebba ataha'= a Sinamal / Syamal dialect of Sulu and Tawi-tawi which means long reef... This is where some Suluano fishermen hunts bigger fish...

[@NoIamNotTrollin]

Reminds me of Johnny Harris from Vox, very immersive

[@NoelGuevara]

Topc conpliment! Thank you Ikey! 🤙

[@TARUGOMAN]

"Sharks are severely misunderstood" I feel like this comment is for me 😄😅😆

[@NoelGuevara]

Oh you know it bro! Thank you for watching!

[@natemedia]

May I ask, hindi ba na stress mga fish sa camera flash?

[@natemedia]

Can you reveal to us your photography gear?

[@dakloos316]

Is Tubbataha really that much better of an experience compared to diving around palawan ?

[@NoelGuevara]

Absolutely. Doesn't compare. Tubbataha is on a different level!

[@dalandan8300]

Sir, nasa bucket list ko to next year. Pwede ba ko makasama sa next trip mo? Mga magkano magagastos?

[@NoelGuevara]

absolutely! you can join me next year. Tubbataha charter is around $3,000, exclusive of roundtrip airfare to Puerto Princesa.

[@dalandan8300]

ang mahal pala, kala ko mga 100k lang. ipon mna q@@NoelGuevara

[@NoelGuevara]

@@dalandan8300 I also recommend getting advanced open water certification, so you can really enjoy the dives.

[@dominicjimenez2213]

Watching this I feel sad that all around the reefs you can see coral bleaching 😢

[@NoelGuevara]

Yes, it's one of the persisting tragedies of our time. There is also bleaching in Tubbataha, but it--thankfully--recovers. There will come a point though that oceans will be too hot for too long that reefs cannot recover.

[@nefs2]

What is the advantage of WACP-1 vs Dome port? WACP-1 seems very heavy on land😅

[@NoelGuevara]

Hahaha at 9lbs / 3kg it is HEAVY! Simply put, the published advantage is the sharpness across the image even at larger apertures. I could shoot at f5.6 and still have my corners and edges acceptably detailed. But personally, I chose it because it's midway between a rectilinear lens and a fisheye, almost like how a 15mm fisheye looks with a 1.4x teleconverter on it. As a result, shark bodies are fuller, unlike being too thin with rectilinears and bobbleheaded with fisheyes. Thanks for asking and watching! Hope you enjoyed!

[@nefs2]

@@NoelGuevara which all round strobe do you recommend? The z330 is discontinued...

[@NoelGuevara]

yeah and I kinda could tell why. I've been having misfires and sometimes only one storbe is firing. I'm looking to switch the the new Supe Scubalamp D-Pro strobes! Short recycle time and I heard the reliability is top!

[@bonkersblock]

There’s a concerning coral bleaching happening there! Why?

[@timboklolo6347]

Cenimatography is very less. You're talking too much, showing less footage videos.???