Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez are WWF Philippines first National Ambassadors

From extreme sports to hosting adventure shows to backpacking trips across the globe, television personalities Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez share the same passion for excitement, adventure, and the great outdoors. It is only natural then that the ‘best buds’ channel their passion and enthusiasm for nature to the bigger, more important role they now play as the World Wide Fund for Nature – Philippines first National Ambassadors.

“Marc and Rovilson have experienced firsthand the biodiversity of our reefs and have seen many that are under threat.  They know just how crucial it is for organizations like us to intervene to preserve and protect our natural reefs and our marine life, as well as to support the communities that depend on them for their livelihood.  We could not have chosen more passionate National Ambassadors for WWF Philippines and are both thrilled and excited to work alongside them in empowering Filipinos to take action,” said WWF CEO and President Lory Tan.  

First on the agenda for the new WWF National Ambassadors is to create greater awareness for the organization’s recently-launched I Click, I Save campaign, encouraging young urban professionals with access to the internet to donate to WWF marine conservation initiatives with just a click of the mouse through www.wwf.org.ph/donate.  Donations will fund WWF Philippines’ initiatives in marine protected areas in Palawan; Apo Reef, Mindoro; Donsol, Sorsogon; and Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea.

Marc and Rovilson will also be involved in WWF environmental education drives in schools, helping raise awareness for the urgency with which carbon footprints must be reduced to avert the negative effects of climate change.

“This is a brand new day for us as it is certainly a privilege for Rovilson and I to be part of the solution—to use our talent to encourage fellow Filipinos to protect our reefs and the diversity of our marine life,” says Marc. “We’ve seen the beauty of our reefs as part of the Coral Triangle firsthand, and we’ve also witnessed their continued degradation.”

“We’re impressed at how WWF intervention can breathe new life into protected areas through community education and involvement and are honored to contribute to these efforts in every way we can,” adds Rovilson. “It is important for many of us to understand that each of us must contribute, even in little ways, to preserving our environment for future generations.  We’re not just talking about preserving ecosystems here, but giving life to communities that depend on them for their livelihood.” 

With their mission in environment conservation cut out for them, the tandem is now ready to take off on their next ‘Amazing Race’ to live out their marine conservation advocacy.

To learn more about WWF-Philippines’ programs, visit www.wwf.org.ph