Augusto "Goto" Alparce – PADI IDC Staff Instructor
Also known as "GOTO" which is a local name for a Monitor Lizard in the southern part of the Philippines. Raised in the province of Bicol which is well known for the majestic Mayon Volcano, whalesharks and Manta rays. He started diving when he was 14 years old , has a degree in marine transportation and worked before in a resort in Masbate and diving with manta rays and whalesharks.

He loves the rush of adrenaline in drift diving and always mesmerized by the magnificence of the Alma Jane Wreck. You will always recognize him for he will surely greet and chat with you, and always give you a smile. You can always find him in the multimedia room in front of his computer.

Rufo "Rufs" Magsino – PADI IDC Staff Instructor
Rufo Magsino joined Atlantis in early 2003, and has rapidly become one of our most popular dive guides. His laid back attitude, together with his ability to find underwater critters makes him your perfect buddy! Finding tiny critters for macro photographers is what he loves most.

Rufo is from Big Lalaguna, just around the corner, and married with two young children, Janssen and Joanne. He plays the guitar and enjoys the occasional game of chess when he's not working. He's also a very keen runner, sometimes those running shoes come on twice a day.

Rustian "Rusty" Malibiran – PADI OWSI
Rustian Malibiran is one of our youngest local dive masters and a local talent – both when it comes to diving and entertaining in the bar in Puerto Galera!

His favorite dives are adrenaline pumping drift dives with big trevallies but he also enjoys sandy bottoms where he can find critters that are very well camouflaged. Being a divemaster allows him to meet lots of people – which he loves – talking and sharing his culture with guests.

Outside Atlantis, Rustian is a big basketball fan, he plays in the local team, but he's also quite happy to relax in front of the TV.

Norman "Norms" Lopez – PADI OWSI
"Babyface Norms" was born and raised in Sinandigan next to Sabang Beach. After Joining Atlantis as a "Tank Boy" and mastering speedboat driving he quickly moved through the ranks to become one of the very best dive masters.

With Norman's young eyes he will find almost anything you could wish to see. Norman enjoys the strong drift of the Canyons and West Escarceo, but his favourite divesite is Verde Island, he loves the Drop-Off but those that know Norms, are sure its because of the lunch! Norms is young, not married and single.... Watch out girls!

Juderson "Bala" Cusi – PADI Divemaster
Most Philippino dive masters have a nickname, Juderson was renamed "Bala" a long time ago. It means Bullet and the reason for it is something you'll have to ask Bala about on your next visit.

Bala became a dive master in Puerto Galera early 2005 and devotes most of his time to diving. However, since his wife blessed him with a baby girl, he spends more time at home. We are pleased to see that baby Jasmin Iris has inherited her good looks from her mother!

Favorite divesite is Hole in the Wall, because Bala likes it when there's lots of schooling fish everywhere, in particular the shy Clown Triggerfish.

Paul Joseph Aristorenas – PADI Divemaster
Many moons ago a boy was born under the starlit Anilao sky with the mark of the hunter, the macro hunter! The years passed by and the child disappeared into obscurity, then rumors started emerging of a boy dive master that can spot an octopus through a rock, see a frogfish that hasn't even arrived yet or find a shrimp the size of an atom and when he arrives he comes on the back of a giant sea turtle, Could this be PJ our newest dive master? We all saw him arrive on the 9am ferry from Batangas so I doubt it, but you never know...

PJ is from Anilao and started diving at young age of 16 where he began work as a dive master, then when the opportunity arose he joined the Atlantis team. Sports mainly basketball and swimming are his hobbies when not in the water.

Crisostomo "Chris" Robles – PADI Divemaster
Cris began his Atlantis career as a driver taking guests from the airport to our dock in batangas where he originally comes from. His out going personality and quick sense of Humour soon had us convinced he would become a great dive master so we convinced him to switch careers and so he joined the dive team and quickly became a top critter spotter specializing in octopuses.

His favorite dive site is Canyons for the great corals and big fish. Cris has a wife and 4 children and enjoys spending time with the family as well as playing Basketball, billiards and Darts.

Richard "Thax" Caniaberal – PADI Divemaster
The barman that dreamed of the ocean. Richard or Thax has been working for us here at Atlantis for 9 years. You may have met him in Tokos or at the 50bar where he worked. On his days off Richard came diving all the time gradually getting more involved in the dive activities getting over 600 dives before he even started his rescue course when a divemaster spot came up richard began training staight away.

Now he's full member of the dive team and can be found (or heard) in dive shop usually joking around or singing. When not in the water Richard enjoys a good night in the Karoke bar and Hanging out with friends.

Alex Tyrrell – PADI MSDT / Photo Pro Instructor
Alex is the Photography Instructor at Dumaguete, as well as being one of the Instructor Team. He completed his dive master course in the UK in 2002 then travelled for 2 ½ years working as a divemaster in both Thailand and Western Australia. He completed his instructor and MSDT course at the beginning of 2007 in Thailand where he worked for 1 ½ years before heading to Borneo working as Trip Manager on a live-aboard. Alex has dived in numerous places around the world including the UK, Malta, Egypt, Thailand, the Bahamas, various places in Indonesia and around Australia.

Alex was born and raised in London, but as the diving is not too good there, has now moved to Asia where he can dive regularly and follow his passion for underwater photography. If Alex is not busy working you'll find him underwater, camera in hand looking for that special image.

Paul Ancla – PADI MSDT
Paul comes from Cebu, graduating from University with a degree in Computer Programming and Seamanship. Before he began work in the dive industry, he was a professional Mountaineer, climbing the various peaks of the Philippines including several ascents of Mount Apo, the highest peak in the country. He also loves other adventurous activities such as Mountain Biking, Kayaking and Spelunking! Paul decided to go diving because wanted to witness the beauty of the underwater world first-hand, and loved it so much, he made it his career. He started work aboard Philippine liveaboard vessels in 2006 and joined the Atlantis Azores in 2009 as Boat Manager. After a successful two years on the open oceans with the Atlantis Azores, he wanted to get some more Dive Instructor experience, so traded in his 'sea legs' and joined the Dive Team at the Dumaguete resort in 2011.

His favourite dive destination in the Philippines is Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea, but since arriving at Dumaguete he has been converted to a macro enthusiast and loves the muck diving along the Dauin coastline. His new favourite dive site is the Atlantis House Reef.

Marco Inocencio – PADI OWSI
Marco's background in marine biology made him the perfect choice for the dive team in Atlantis Dumaguete. Despite this being his first foray into the recreational diving industry, Marco is no stranger to the underwater world. He has been diving around Central Visayas as a field research assistant for the Silliman University Marine Laboratory and for Project Seahorse Foundation for Marine Conservation.

He has also done some diving in Northern Palawan, where he worked for a pearl farm. Guests who dive with Marco always know when he's found something good! You can hear his giggle from meters away underwater when he's excited!

Wennie "Eslao" Uy – PADI OWSI
Wennie has been diving the Dauin area for a long time. He is also one of the first local dive guides and instructors and feels very much at home on all our dive sites.

He's favorite things to do while diving is showing all the wonderful little critters. He also loves dogs as he has 7 of them and when not in the water he will be playing with the dogs and spending quality time with his lovely wife and two kids.

Manuel "Wing Wing" Pontillas – PADI Divemaster
Ask any Atlantis Dumaguete guest who has dived with Wing Wing before, and they will most certainly tell you that this guy has an eye like no other. Also known as "The Hawk", Wing is the fellow you want to dive with if in search of the well hidden, and well camouflaged. Not only does he spot these critters, but he does it from 10 meters away!

A Dumaguete local born and raised Wing has been diving around the Visayas for many years. Prior to becoming a divemaster Wing used to work as a fisherman and so his knowledge of the water and ability to read conditions from the boat is invaluable. Wing is always willing to hang out in Toko's bar after a day's diving to chat with guests and make new friends and on his off days, he opts for rest and relaxation with his girlfriend Merlinda.

Jeston "Jes" Dayday – PADI Divemaster
Jes joined us in 2009 and is originally from Malapascua. The great diving of Dumaguete and Dauin brought him to us and he is quickly gaining a reputation of being an eagle-eyed guide.

He can spot the smallest of critters and will remember exactly where they are on your next dives. Ask him anything that's on your wish list and he'll try to find it for you.

Vernie Duran – PADI Divemaster
Vernie has been a Divemaster in Dumaguete since 2005, after some years divemastering all over the Philippines. His nick name is "Eagle Eye", because Vernie knows how to smell, detect and spot even the tiniest little critters hidden underneath the sand.

Just ask him, and he will find you almost anything to fill up your camera card. Vernie is married to Estrella, and they have three girls, Verchi, Kirsten and Chawa.

Ginie "Gin Gin Dive Machine" Garualdo – PADI Divemaster
Ginie has been with us for a while. He's one of the first generation divemasters here and knows all the spots like the back of his hand. Like all divemasters here he has a very good eye for the small stuff.

Before his dive career, which is already 20 +years, he was a spear fisherman. He spends a lot of time in the water and doesn't seem to get tired of it, hence his nickname 'Gin Gin divemachine'.

When not diving you can find him spending quality time with his wife and 2 kids.

Junnar "Flying Jurnard" Kitane – PADI Divemaster
Junnar has been with us since 2005 and started working as a boatman. He's a Duain local and lives right next to the resort with his family. He's always been curious about the underwater world and he has joined the dive team in 2009 as a dive master.

He love looking for the small critters and showing you his beautiful backyard. When not diving you can find him playing basketball and spending quality time with his wife and son.

Scott Arni – PADI MSDT
Scott is from Fenwick Island Delaware in the USA. Scott got into diving in the Boy Scouts of America when he was 14 years old. Later he went on to run the diving program for the Boy Scouts of America at the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base. As management there he was sent to Sea School to become a Licensed Captain, and Padi Instructor. After a few years Scott decided to get into Liveaboard diving and spent 10 years with Aggressor Liveaboard's around the world. Scott has spent the last 12 years Captaining Liveaboard's also teaching diving courses of all levels, and assisting guests as the vessels Photo and Video pro.

Joe Padua – PADI Master Instructor
He grew up in Cebu, originally from Cagayan de Oro City. Joe graduated BS Marine Biology in University of San Carlos (1995). He worked as a Research Diver with the Coastal Environment Program (DENR Region 7) for 2 years. He has 23 years of diving experience, 16 years professionally. He also Worked in Palau for 10 years as Training Coordinator, Dive Guide and Equipment Technician.

Joe loves sharks, manta rays and turtles. He also played Drums with a band professionally before working full time with the diving industry. He owned and operated a local dive shop dedicated mainly for university students and Marine Resource Assessment programs. He is married to Kune with two rockstar kids, Fonzy and Iggy.

Pablo "Ambo" Tegio – PADI Divemaster
Funny man Ambo used to be our worst boatman in Puerto galera, so we decided to promote him to dive master instead! He is now one of the dive master in Atlantis Azores. If there is something Ambo is very good at besides diving and boat driving, it's making people laugh.

He's a local from Puerto Galera, even though he went to school in Manila, and is married to Grace with whom he has Thristan Emmanuel, who is cute as a button.

He enjoys the good things in life – singing, dancing, eating chicken Adobo, and meeting new friends of course! His lifestyle reflects on his diving, he prefers shallow and easy dives like the Sabang wrecks where he can hover calmly over frogfish and seahorses.