From Childhood Dreams to Ocean Magic in Cebu
As a little girl, I used to daydream about being a mermaid. Not just dressing up in a tail, but being one — gliding through the water, free, quiet, and unbothered by the world above.
For years, I thought freediving was the closest I could get to that dream. Don’t get me wrong — freediving is amazing. I love it deeply. The discipline, the silence, the stillness — it’s powerful. But when I finally tried mermaiding for real, I discovered something else entirely.
Freediving feels strong.
Mermaiding feels magical.
And my very first experience? It happened with a borrowed tail and monofin, inside Cebu Ocean Park, with the one and only Golden Merman of Cebu as my guide.
How I Finally Lived My Childhood Fantasy
Like many of us, I grew up watching Disney mermaids and pretending the bathtub was the sea. But as we get older, we tuck those fantasies away and try to be “practical.”
It wasn’t until I became a remote worker — spending most of my time in front of a screen — that I started longing for something different. Something playful. Something that reminded me of me.
So when I found out there were legit mermaiding classes in the Philippines, something in me lit up again. I signed up for a session at Cebu Ocean Park, nervous but excited. I didn’t have a tail. I wasn’t sure what to expect. But that’s where Monching — the Golden Merman himself — changed everything.
The Merman Who Helped Me Begin
Monching didn’t just welcome me. He made me believe I could do it — even if I was a total beginner, even if I didn’t feel like I “looked the part.” He let me borrow a tail and monofin and showed me how to move, breathe, and most importantly, enjoy.
He wasn’t just teaching technique — he was sharing a lifestyle. One rooted in ocean connection, movement, and self-trust.
In our podcast episode “My Mermaid Journey & the Merman Who Guided Me,” we talk about all of this — how mermaiding started for both of us, what it means to our identity, and how it can be both healing and powerful.
Why Mermaiding Isn’t Just for Fantasy
Before trying it, I thought mermaiding was mostly for content creators and costume lovers. But I learned quickly: it’s a full-body experience of joy, strength, and softness.
It helped me reconnect with my body in a gentle way. It quieted my mind. It gave me something I didn’t even know I was craving — a sense of play. As adults, we forget how good that feels.
Whether you’re looking for freedom, flow, or a form of ocean therapy, mermaiding gives all of that — and then some.
Can You Actually Earn from Mermaiding?
Yes, you can. That’s one of the most exciting things I learned from Monching and the community here.
Some people turn mermaiding into a side hustle through performances, underwater shoots, or marine advocacy. Others, like Monching, teach and train future mermaids and mermen across Cebu and beyond. Content creators and freedivers even blend their skills to build unique online brands.
In our podcast episode, we explore whether mermaiding can be a career, and the answer is: absolutely. But even if you don’t monetize it, mermaiding gives you something priceless — joy and self-connection.
How to Start Mermaiding in the Philippines
Here’s what I tell anyone who asks: you don’t need to have it all figured out to start. I didn’t. I borrowed my first tail. I didn’t feel confident. But I showed up.
If you’re in Cebu, I highly recommend learning from someone like Monching — not just because he knows the techniques, but because he teaches with heart. Safety, encouragement, and fun all rolled into one magical session.
And if you’re outside Cebu, look for certified mermaiding instructors in the Philippines who can guide you safely and joyfully.
Want to Dive Deeper?
If this story made something inside you light up, you’ll love the full episode of XP & Oxygen Podcast titled:
“My Mermaid Journey & the Merman Who Guided Me.”
We talk about:
- How mermaiding started for both of us
- What it teaches you (that freediving doesn’t)
- Common misconceptions
- How to start, and how to grow
- And whether mermaiding can become a career
🎧 Click here to listen now
Or search XP & Oxygen on Spotify, and YouTube.
You can also download here the From Fantasy to Fins: Your Mermaiding Starter & Self-Discovery Kit!
A free guide for dreamers, beginners, and ocean lovers who are ready to start their mermaid journey — even with no gear, no experience, and all the feels.
