I, too, recently did one in Anilao.
I would offer a word of warning: Don't go to a really big workshop, with tons of participants. I went to one (signed up for it 1.5 years ago), as it had a pretty prominent person teaching, and promised a 4:1 ratio in the water. Nothing was further from the truth. While the teaching portion was excellent, the in-water stuff non-existent. First, of the in-water people touted, I saw 2 of them on 2 of my 22 dives (1 on each of the two dives). It seemed the in-water "teachers" were simply there to build there own portfolios. Not one single tip or suggestion was offered on the boat, or in the water, before the dives, or during the surface interval. I had even called the group running the trip to ensure what the ratio was, before I signed up. Basically, I'll never do another trip with them, EVER, as they simply oversold the trip, then were not forthcoming about their shenanigans. Not a way to do business. A true bait-and-switch. Not to say the location and staff at the place where we had it were bad, because they weren't. The main teacher was beyond excellent.
However, if you can get in a SMALL workshop, I'd say go for it. When I mean small, get in one with no more than 10-12 people. You'll get to know the people, and be able to swap tips/tricks, etc. I definitely think such a format would be helpful. Just know that noone is going to show you how to point your strobes, etc. actually in the water. They may show you how they do it, then let you follow suit. Mainly, I learn best from showing diagrams, with images of different strobe positions (i.e. if you set them up this way, here is an example of what you get), talking it through, then doing it. As a way to see how big a workshop really is, look at the group you are thinking of going with, at their past workshop group photos. Large group? Stay away. I put it akin to diving on a huge dive boat - don't. After all, you're there to learn. Much like the large dive boat, a 10% cheaper price for a "large group price" is not worth the 100% aggravation level.
Edited by dpaustex, 22 May 2014 - 05:54 PM.