Liam Miguel
Amancio

Dive Log — Entry No. 1

My Dream of Becoming a Marine Biologist

Ever since I was little, the ocean has felt like a second home to me. I remember the first time I saw a clownfish swimming through a sea anemone on TV, and I couldn't stop asking questions about how fish breathe, how coral reefs grow, and why the sea is so blue. That curiosity never went away — it only grew bigger, just like the creatures I love learning about.

I want to become a marine biologist because I want to understand and protect the ocean and everything that lives in it. The Philippines is part of the Coral Triangle, home to some of the richest marine life on Earth, with places like Tubbataha Reef and the waters around Palawan. Knowing that my own country holds such treasures makes me want to study hard and one day help take care of them.

I also worry about problems like plastic pollution, coral bleaching, and overfishing. I've seen pictures of reefs that used to be full of color turn pale and lifeless, and it makes me sad. I don't want future generations to grow up without ever seeing a healthy reef. That's why I want to study marine biology — so I can research the ocean, help protect endangered sea creatures, and teach other people why the sea matters so much.

At Florentino Torres High School, I try my best in my science classes because I know they will help me reach this dream. I know the road to becoming a marine biologist is long — there's a lot of math, biology, and chemistry to learn — but I'm ready for it. The ocean has given me so much wonder and joy, and someday, I want to give something back to it.

— Liam Miguel Amancio