MANILA, Philippines - Every dream begins with a vision. For this young president, whose love for nature equals his passion for running, helping to save a vast marine sanctuary as large as Metro Manila in far-off Sulu Sea is never too remote an idea.

Last March 2, Anton Concepcion, president of Concepcion Durables Inc. (Condura), saw his vision in action―quite literally, too. His first-ever project aimed to raise funds to save the Tubbataha Reefs, dubbed the Condura Race for Tubbataha, attracted more than 2,000 registrants for the 3-km, 5-km and 10-km race, and raised P100,000.

The race to raise funds for the Tubbataha Reef continues. With every purchase of a Condura refrigerator, a portion goes to the Tubbataha funds. Next year will also see a longer distance run, with a half-marathon category included and possibly a full marathon in the next two years.

Concepcion has joined numerous marathons in the world, including the popular New York, Boston and Hong Kong marathons.

?I have been blessed to be in the position where I am today, that I could be instrumental to do something for the environment,? Concepcion said.

A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1993, Tubbataha is home to a diverse marine life, with coral reefs among the most ancient ecosystems in the world, dating as far back as 225 million years ago. The Tubbataha Reefs are so old that it is a haven to close to 400 species of coral reefs. That?s 85 percent of all hard-coral species in the country.

There are also about 500 fish species from 46 families, nine marine mammal species, six shark species and two types of sea turtles. The reef is also frequented by schools of large jacks, manta rays and barracudas.

Difficult life

Today, unfortunately, poachers plague its waters. The delicate, centuries-old ecosystem of Tubbataha is threatened by big-time illegal fishermen in large vessels. Only six marine rangers in small speedboats guard its borders, said Concepcion.

?The life of marine rangers in Tubbataha is so difficult because they sometimes go for months without seeing their families. They get stuck in their posts because it is not an easy water to ply,? he said.

An avid scuba diver, Concepcion is only too familiar with the abundant marine life in Tubbataha. Although it is a 12-hour boat ride to get to the site from Palawan, the long trip is well worth the wait, he said. And so, it seems, is the cause to save it.

?Tubbataha is Disneyland underwater. It is one of the best dive spots in the country and in the world,? he said.

Environmental concern has always been at the heart of Condura, Concepcion said. The Condura fridge, for instance, has been completely non-CFC, using non-ozone-depleting refrigerants since 1997―both the compressor and manufacturing process. This is in line with Concepcion?s vision for the brand to back environmental initiatives.

Concepcion also dreams of making the Condura Race for Tubbataha the premium marathon event in the country, as he brings home his long-distance running experience abroad. The Condura Race for Tubbataha will be held every first Sunday of March.