I have been only scuba diving for a couple years now. I tip $5 US per tank here in California and the same in Cozumel. When I first started diving, (OW certified in PI/Batangas/Mabini/Anialo), in 2008 I knew nothing about tipping. I thought the price the resort charged me for the DM went to the DM. I just didn't know at the time that DM's work mostly for tips. So after awhile I noticed that certain DM's never wanted, (or were available), to go out with us. When I started reading here on scubaboard about tipping, I then realized what I wasn't doing.
Now, when I return this April-May I want to be generous in my tipping to those DM's/captains, with cash and ubongs, (gifts for their children), but at the same time not "overdo" it.
Now the question is, how much is proper? 500 pesos is about $10US, that's a full days wages for most pinoys. I am thinking 100-200P per day of diving.
What do others think?
When we go every year, I usually hire a driver and a cook for the time we are staying and we pay about 150P/day for this service.