BORN EXPLORATIONS' Series [ Tawi-Tawi Zones Part 1 ] 3

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• published: 11 Aug 2011
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BORN TO BE WILD: Explorations with Kiko Rustia and Romi Garduce This August, the country's pioneer environment program brings you its latest series, BORN EXPLORATIONS. In almost three years as an adventurer on the show, Kiko Rustia has traveled far and wide to uncover the country's natural gems. In 2009, he went to the northern "tip" of the Philippines -- Itbayat Island in Batanes. This time, Kiko explores the southernmost tip of the country -- Tawi-tawi. Hailed as a "wildlife mecca" by conservationists, Tawi-tawi boasts of pristine beauty and endemic wildlife. But conflicts in the region have made Tawi-tawi's beauty hidden from view. The travel alone is a challenge and a feat to complete. But once there, Kiko and the team find that the journey is worth it. In this exploration, Kiko joins a group of researchers who are studying Tawi-tawi's marine life -- from sea turtles, dolphins and rays. In this undisturbed paradise, fish like the grouper grow up to two feet long! With a promising first dive, Kiko and the team can't wait to uncover more. But amidst their exploration, Kiko's team comes across an operation by authorities who intercept a boat with about five thousand reef fishes ready to be sold in the black market. Though not endangered, a local ordinance in Tawi-Tawi prohibits the selling of reef fishes. "I'll be back," is what this famous mountaineer and environment advocate once said when he climbed Mt. Everest five years ago. And back he is. Romi Garduce, one of the original hosts of Born to be Wild, is off to another exploration. In his quest to complete the Seven Summits (the seven highest peaks in each of the seven continents) under GMA's Seven Summits Expedition, Romi first trains with his Born to be Wild team by climbing Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, and making it back down... all in one day! The 24-hour Mt. Apo challenge gives Romi and the Born team the opportunity to explore one of the Philippines ' best-kept secrets -- nature and wildlife found in the country's highest peak.