At Nudi Coffee, our mission will always be more than just coffee. Every bag roasted and every cup you sip fuels something deeper. It restores coral reefs, reforests mangroves, and gives back to the ocean that inspires us.

With that said, we're thrilled to share a milestone that brings our mission to life in the real world.

On May 26th, 2025, we partnered with Palautong Freedivers in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines, to host our very first sponsored ocean cleanup dive! It was a heartwarming success that brought together ocean lovers, eco-conscio

us free divers, and conservationists for a cause that truly matters.

Diving in With Purpose

Set against the stunning coastal waters of The Beach Park – Hadsan, Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines, dozens of participants gathered not just to dive—but to make a difference. With mesh bags in hand and hearts aligned, they worked together to remove marine debris, raise awareness, and foster a sense of stewardship for the reef systems we all cherish. We're so grateful for this beach resort for partner

ing and allowing us to conduct our first ever clean-up dive.

However, this event would not have been possible without one incredible man and the growing community he built from the ground up.

       

Meet the Heart Behind Palautong Freedivers: Instructor,  Anthony Apa

What began as heartbreak has blossomed into healing, purpose, and ocean-driven impact. The founder of Palautong Freedivers, now a 70-strong group of passionate divers, graciously shared his story with us:

“I never imagined that a breakup would be the start of something so life-changing.

After a 7-year relationship ended, I was shattered. I needed an escape, something to take me away from the pain. For eight straight months, I buried myself in the gym. The weights kept me grounded, the routine kept me sane. But deep down, I still felt lost.

Eventually, I turned to nature. I started hiking, trekking, and camping. During one of these treks, on my father's birthday, fate stepped in. My family went on a group hike, and my father wore a Dynamo bag. That bag sparked a random conversation with a stranger on the trail, a guy named Jaypee, who, by pure coincidence, also worked at Dynata.

Jaypee and I clicked instantly. He noticed I had a lot on my mind and invited me to go camping and freediving. We spent days, sometimes 2, 3, even 4 on Crab Island, where he taught me the basics of freediving. It became my therapy.

Eventually, I started going to solo dive camps to practice more. But one dive nearly cost me my life. Diving alone, I pushed myself too far, and that experience woke me up. I realized that I needed a buddy.

That’s when I remembered Junnix, a coworker who had actually introduced me to the idea of freediving weeks before I met Jaypee. It felt like the universe was putting the pieces together.

From just the two of us, we grew. Soon there were seven of us diving together. I still remember the moment that gave birth to our name. After a long dive session, I was the last one to surface. My friends shouted, "Taasag og utong, Palautong!" it's a bisaya word which means "Holding of breath longer" and just like that, Palautong Freedivers was born.

Today, we are nearly 70 members strong, a growing family of passionate divers who not only love the ocean but are deeply committed to protecting it.

We've organized several coastal cleanups, one this year, and three last year. Most recently, I had the honor of teaming up with Steve and Cristina of Nudi Coffee for a cleanup event.

It was a massive success, with so many participants coming together for the love of the ocean. I felt so fulfilled as an organizer. But it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of amazing freediver groups like Depth seekers and SG Freedivers.

Freediving gave me more than peace, it gave me purpose, friendship, and a deeper connection to the sea.

What started as heartbreak… became healing.
What started with pain… became passion.

This is my journey. This is Palautong Freedivers.”

Brewing More Than Coffee

Our partnership with Palautong Freedivers is just the beginning. As a coffee company deeply rooted in ocean preservation, we are committed to supporting more initiatives like this. Whether it’s funding gear, supporting cleanup efforts, or spreading awareness. This is our purpose, and you are part of it.

Every purchase you make helps us do more.

Want to Get Involved?

          Follow us and our partners on Instagram :

• @nudicoffee
• @palautong_freedivers
• @depth_seekers
• @sgfreedivers
  
  Follow us and our partners on Facebook :
  
  Nudi Coffee 
  Palautong Freedivers
  
  
  

Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on upcoming events and conservation stories. And if you're a diver, group, or ocean-focused business we’d love to collaborate.

Together, we’re diving into a future where every cup of coffee restores more than just your energy.