Lyceum of the Philippines University's (LPU) Jasmine Gonzaga is more than just a swimmer.
While the pandemic has forced her to miss joining in competitions, the Zambales-born tanker is still able to channel her swimming abilities towards something productive - her advocacy for the environment.
She is a member of the "Scubasureros", a group in Olongapo that promotes cleaning and sanitizing our seas and other water resources.
And in her latest endeavor, Gonzaga shared on 'Rise Up Stronger: NCAA Season 96' that she has been able to get her professional license as a diver.
"I volunteered in Camayan Resort and at first, I just volunteered to do beach guide and I assisted some of the divers," she shared to host Sophia Senoron.
"And they've found out that I'm a swimmer so they helped me secure my license in diving because they also saw a potential in me to it."
Gonzaga first joined the 'Scubasureros' back in 2017 as diver and cleaner. They do ocean and beach clean-ups as part of their program.
According to her, she participates in these activities primarily because of her vision: to protect the environment.
"It's just saddens me to see that there are still people who are clueless when it comes to taking care of our oceans," she said.
"And knowing that we benefit from those and imagine, there are living things in the ocean then we'll just throw garbage towards it?"
Watch her inspiring story on ‘Rise Up Stronger: NCAA Season 96’ on GTV which airs every weekday (2:45 p.m.), Saturdays (4:30 p.m.), and Sundays (5:05 p.m.) on GTV.
—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News
