I learned diving too on the Philippines. Back in 2015 I was backpacking and I hadn't really a plan to get a diving certificate, I just read about it that snorkeling and diving was nice.

I ended up on Malapascua after a drunken night and a tip of a Dutch guy and got my padi and got hoocked. 2,5 years later and I have > 100 dives and been diving at many more places and countries :-)