Underwater Burlesque Dancers in Samal Island Blend Art with Ocean Conservation
In the warm turquoise waters surrounding the Island Garden City of Samal, just a short boat ride from Davao City, a group of certified freedivers is transforming the serene world of breath-hold diving into spectacular underwater burlesque performances. These captivating shows feature synchronized routines in sparkling costumes, high heels gliding smoothly through the water, full glam makeup catching the filtered sunlight, and even weighted chairs used as props. The performances masterfully blend sensuality, strength, femininity, and calm control, capturing global attention far beyond the Philippines.
The Viral Phenomenon and Environmental Message
Videos of these underwater routines—often set to songs like Lady Marmalade or themed around characters such as Cleopatra and Cat Woman—have amassed millions of views online. The viral content showcases not just artistic innovation but also Samal's vibrant, living coral reefs as breathtaking backdrops. By highlighting these marine ecosystems, the divers subtly emphasize the ocean's beauty and fragility, reminding viewers of what could be lost without proper conservation efforts. They demonstrate that creative expression underwater can coexist with environmental responsibility.
Origins and Creative Vision
The movement began with Mary Anthonette Daniel Salamanca, a certified Molchanovs freediving instructor from Davao, who turned to freediving as an escape from the stress of call-center work. "I got into it because I just wanted to feel that calmness underwater," she explained. "On land everything feels so chaotic, but the second you go down, it's peaceful. We treat it like meditation."
Geneva Lace Ramos, known as the "Underwater Awra Queen," infused this peaceful practice with her passion for performance. "I've always been into performing, costumes, and full-on glam," she said. "It felt natural to bring all of that into freediving, which I already loved." Ramos pioneered the signature aesthetic: bright red lips, saltwater-resistant makeup, dramatic wigs, sparkly accessories, heels instead of fins, and fluid, expressive movements. Her partner, underwater videographer Cynthjhune Goden ("Cabgod"), captured these experiments, which quickly evolved into collaborative projects.
Collaboration and Theatrical Evolution
The transition from solo "awra" dives to group burlesque performances was fueled by collaboration with James Malihan, a renowned Davao freediving guide and videographer. "James had this idea to take burlesque down there," Salamanca recalled. "We just wanted to do something different and share it with the community." Samal proved ideal for these concept shoots, with its stunning coral gardens providing a year-round setting for themes like Cleopatra and Cat Woman, allowing the divers to explore storytelling, femininity, and power in an environment demanding precision.
A landmark achievement was the creation of what's believed to be the Philippines' first synchronized awra/burlesque dive. "We'd toss ideas around in our group chat and say, let's make something no one's done before," Ramos noted. The team effort involved Ramos designing chair choreography, Salamanca and Kristine performing alongside her, Malihan providing creative direction, and safety crew members ensuring controlled conditions.
Technical Challenges and Safety Protocols
Performing burlesque underwater presents significant challenges. Divers operate without fins, relying on strong arm pulls for movement, while heels, costumes, wigs, and props increase drag and complicate balance. "When you're underwater without fins and wearing heels, you need really strong arms to go down," Salamanca emphasized. Wigs must be secured to avoid discomfort, and contact lens wearers must maintain tight mask seals to prevent saltwater intrusion.
Ramos detailed the complexity: "You're holding your breath and trying to look effortless and glamorous, while also handling buoyancy, staying balanced, and equalizing your ears. The heels and costume and props all create drag, so every move has to be super controlled and exact." Despite the planned choreography, she allows room for spontaneous movement, always within safe breath-hold limits.
Safety remains paramount, with all performers being certified freedivers and instructors trained in breath control, equalization, and relaxation techniques. "We have strict rules: safety buddies, a solid dive plan, controlled depth," Ramos stated. "This isn't a stunt. It's a planned performance." Mental preparation includes visualization and breathing drills to maintain grace under pressure.
Environmental Stewardship and Community Impact
Samal's reefs, enriched by Mount Apo's influence, are treated with utmost care. The team selects sandy, flat areas for performances to avoid coral contact, chooses sites based on weather and currents for safety, and hires boats from local fishermen to support the community. "We have to be responsible divers," Salamanca asserted. "We need to dive in a way that doesn't hurt the ocean. We do a lot of cleanup dives too, because trash keeps washing in from the currents." Ramos added that every location and movement is carefully planned to prevent harm to marine life.
Beyond conservation, the divers aim to reshape perceptions of freediving. "When people hear about depth and long breath-holds, they immediately think, 'Hindi ko kaya,' and they don't even try," Ramos observed. Her "awra" dives make the sport appear graceful and artistic, inspiring newcomers. Despite facing criticism, she focuses on the positive impact: "It opened doors for people to try freediving, get creative, embrace who they are, and express themselves freely—while always respecting and protecting marine life."
Inspiring Community and Future Vision
Both women seek to empower others. "I want people to see you can combine your passions and use creativity to help others fall in love with our oceans," Ramos said. "The ocean isn't limiting. It can be a stage for expression." Salamanca added, "I want to inspire them to dive, express themselves underwater, and feel empowered—as long as they're trained and intentional." They share tips and behind-the-scenes insights to foster growth in the freediving community through schools like Davao Freediving and Aquavita Freediving, simultaneously promoting Samal as a premier diving destination.
In a fast-paced world, Geneva Lace Ramos and Mary Anthonette Daniel Salamanca exemplify how calm, creativity, connection, and responsibility can thrive. Their videos do more than entertain; they raise awareness about protecting underwater ecosystems, inviting everyone to approach the sea with wonder, care, and commitment, one graceful dive at a time.
