In the News: SunStar Cebu
We Made the Newspaper
Reef Without Borders earned its first newspaper feature in SunStar Cebu’s Lifestyle section, covering the launch of our reef restoration work in Mactan.
“Reef Without Borders” sets sail in Cebu to rebuild damaged marine ecosystems — by Bryce Ken Abellon, SunStar Cebu Lifestyle, August 11, 2026. Article and photography © SunStar Publishing Inc.
What the article covers
SunStar Cebu covered the launch of Reef Without Borders after our operational approval in May 2026, reporting on our first field site at Club Kontiki Beach Resort in Mactan under Executive Director Clarisa “Isa” Briones.
The piece walks through our science-led approach: prioritizing heat-tolerant coral strains guided by two Cebu-based marine science university partners, and building a three-tiered Citizen Coral Guardian volunteer program so local fishers, students, and residents can take part in reef restoration directly.
It also touches on the funding conversations underway, including applications submitted to the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, the G20 Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP), USAID’s Sustainable Coral Triangle Initiative, and NOAA’s International Coral Reef Conservation Program — and our first-year milestones for the Cebu pilot.
For the full story, in the reporter’s own words, read it directly on SunStar Cebu using the link below.
From the interview
“There are divers, young people, fishers, scientists, resort owners and community members who understand that Cebu’s reefs are worth protecting. Reefs face serious challenges, but caring about them is where restoration begins.”
— Clarisa Briones, Founder & Executive Director, to SunStar Cebu“I would like policymakers to continue strengthening protection for coastal and marine ecosystems, while supporting the local communities that depend on them.”
— Clarisa Briones, Founder & Executive Director, to SunStar CebuRead the full feature on SunStar Cebu
The complete article, written by Bryce Ken Abellon, is live on SunStar Cebu’s website.