The Man behind Diveshoppe
He is a big guy, with an even bigger heart. You think you can move faster than him, but you are sadly mistaken. He can outplay you in Badminton anytime and he moves through the current like a fish. Well, a big fish. Except for that one time that it got really wild and I saw him tumble backwards..
He hardly gets all worked up about anything. He has the patience, to tell you things again and again, until you remember. (or until I wrote them all down because I am so very forgetful..) He does not expect you to accept everything he tells you. He waits for you to ask questions and then he shows you why what he is saying is true. He waits for you to have an open mind that can be taught. And then he teaches you.
He does not claim to be the best. But he’s certified over a thousand divers to date and there are zero accidents under his watch. Which makes it sound like he is the best. I have never taken lessons from a different instructor so I cannot claim that he is the best. But he has taught me more than what was required.
He can take you to face your fear and be done with it. He can convince you that you can do things that seem impossible, and you discover afterwards that you have accomplished a greatness beyond your wildest imaginings. He is like a pot that never empties. He can motivate you to be the kind of person that you only ever hoped to be. The belief that anybody can dive is made real by his enduring patience and love for diving.
But he is very modest. I am sure he will feel a little strange to find out that I have written things about him yet again.
I am certain that he is one of the best diving instructors in the world. He always goes an extra mile for everyone around him.
Posted by : Ali
Photography: Tom & Paz (Palau & Anilao)
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There is probably no one that will even come close to how this guy handles his students. Yes,I have met many dive instructors in the past, but I have yet to meet one as passionate about the sport as Dave. I am proud to have been trained by him and will continue to promote his services to others (except laundry service) for as long as the sport continues to exists. The “Best diving instructor” is an understatement. Oh, did I mention that he is also a great Dad? Happy Father’s day! Maraming, maraming salamat Dave.
Hi there people…..thank you very, very much for all your Heart fattening and Head enlarging comments!!!! Sobra naman kayo!!! I just love all of you so much and I love sharing this beautiful and unique sport with all of you!!! Lets keep diving!!!
wow…. nakakaiyak naman ng comments syo pre… huhuhu…pero sa totoo lang yang si dave… pusong mamon din yan iyakin din yan… tingin ko binabasa nya yung mga comments about him… baka teary-eyed na siya… heheh…….. pero d’best yan si dave…. !!!! INUMAN NA!!!
Sobra ka naman Doc Bong….binubuking mo ako!!! hehe
dddddaaaavvvveeee, musta na, I was browsing friendster and I got a hold on Bong page, then ayun tuloy tuloy na, looking fr friends here and there. Musta na kayo? I miss everyone.. This guy is really a big guy and very huggable,, hehehehe pwede sumo wrestler but then I know you are the best in everything. Keep it up and keep in touch. Kamusta sa lahat. uuwi ako inuman na ulit, heheheh wala nag pipigil sa akin hahahahahahaha.
howdy May…..welcome back to the circle …nice talking to you last night glad everything is going well.
Good am Sir Dave,
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to you, your family, and to the rest of the diveshoppe family. Thank you rin po for the dedication and patience you showed us while teaching the open water course. I must say your manner of teaching and the way you conducted the course is very professional and all knowing giving myself full confidence in you. I am greatful i learned scuba diving from you. Again thank you and God bless.
Hi doc angel….thank you very, very much for you compliments. Let us dive soon…hehe Merry Christmas to you and your family too.
dave, sorry i almost forgot your birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TSONG. Iinom na lang kita dito. May you have lots of birthdays to come. Regards to paz and the kids. Take care and I’ll keep in touch.
Wow pre……Finally…..I have found you!!!! Tagal tagal na kita hinahanap at gusto ma contact. Kamusta Family….regards kay lisa. advance happy birthday sa inaanak ko!!!! April 13 diba??? Will email you later…medyo rush lang ako ngayon dun kita email sa kokfuentes email mo. Take care pre
Long time no see and hear Mike. I’m glad you found our site. Okay naman kami lahat ng mga bata. Nasaan na ba kayo, Canada? Tuwang tuwa talaga si Dave na nahanap mo siya. Do keep in touch
Hi dave and paz
finally nahanap din namin kayo. we miss you guys. ilan na ba ang mga anak nyo? do you still live in manila? what is the best tiime to call you? tawagan namin kayo. nasa vancouver, canada pala kami. lamig dito. anyway mali pala ang binigay ni mike na email address sa inyo. Please use this address: ldcfuentes@shaw.ca. Ano pala ang phone # nyo? xoxoxo lisa
xxxx
Hi Lisa. Dave’s cell is +639209612317. You can call him anytime but he is leaving for Palau, Micronesia tomorrow night and will be back on April 9. We have three kids ages 16, 13 & 6. How about you guys?
Mike/ Lisa….emailed you several times…..did you receive them??