Whale shark watching adventure

The idea of going to a place one has never been before - like Donsol,

Sorsogon, the "whale shark watching capital of the Philippines" - is

very fascinating. The thought of seeing with your own two eyes the

largest fish in the world is another.

Last May 1, Labor Day, a wonderful day for a holiday, I joined a group of

mediamen invited by the oil firm Caltex (Philippines), Inc. to take part in the

Caltexsponsored whale shark watching in Donsol.

The oil firm has organized a summer program dubbed as the 'Caltex Adventure

Summer,' which offers participants exciting summer activities that call for

travel to the great Philippine outdoors. Activities include kayaking, trekking,

4x4 adventure, mountain biking, exploratory trips, whitewater rafting, and

whale shark watching.

To this writer's mind, the whale shark watching is the most exciting of all

these outdoor activities. For one thing, the event took us to the Sorsogon

province which is located at the southermost part of Luzon, passing by the

province of Albay. It is an event that gives one the chance to have a "close

encounter" with the largest fish, literally swim beside its wholeness - 15-45

feet long and 400 tons heavy.

The whale shark, locally known as butanding, congregates in the waters of

Donsol, Sorsogon. The whale shark who is said to be harmless, friendly, and

playful actually interacts with humans as they swim alongside the boats.

Our flight (ManilaLegaspi) was scheduled at 9:30 a.m. and we arrived at the

Legaspi Airport an hour later. A car was already waiting for us when we

reached Legaspi City. We drove that sunny morning from Legaspi City to

Sorsogon for two hours, not minding the long and tiring drive, enjoying the

sights of Mayon Volcano, the rice fields, the small and simple nipa huts. We

saw and felt serenity that surrounded us.

Caltex's co-sponsor of the event, Tribal Adventure Tours, is represented by

Chip Childers, a Colorado-trained river guide and rafting expert. On Sunday,

we all prepared to eyeball the whale shark - with swimming gears such as

fins, goggles, life vests. We were taken to the site where the whale shark was

last spotted - at the heart of the waters. Yes, that part of the ocean where

nobody dares to dive and swim without a life vest.

Chip told us there were actually 50-50 chances of seeing the butanding, not

quite a good thought before you head off for almost a whole day banca ride, I

said to myself. And so off we went to the deepest part of the clear, blue sea.

The banca was running at great speed. Five men (including Chip)

accompanied us to the site. Rene, the Butanding Interaction officer (BIO), told

us what we are supposed to do once Tony, the "spotter" saw butanding.

A flying fish suddenly leaped infront of our banca to everyone's delight.

Suddenly, the spotter, who had been standing on top of the pole for almost

two hours, shouted "Ayun!" Then everybody were on their toes, grabbed a life

vest and hurriedly sported a diver's get-up. I nervously grabbed my own life

vest, wondering whether or not I should go into the water since I didn't know

how to swim.

The spotter was shouting on top of his voice, informing us that the butanding

was under our banca. The whale shark was swimming at a lightning speed it

would be impossible for anyone to catch it or swim beside the largest fish in

the world. So, Chip and the BIO decided to just let it pass.

Next time, perhaps, we would be luckier.

We had a hearty lunch at a beach resort in Dancalan, Sorsogon. We met

other butanding watchers who had spent hours searching the great waters for

the whale shark. It was already 1:30 p.m. when we left the resort. Everybody

was in a siesta mood. I myself felt like dozing off and I did! An hour or so

passed when I heard the voice of the spotter again!

Good thing the banca was just running at a moderate speed and came to a full

stop I looked down the water and thought I saw the whale shark's shadow.

The people who came in before us where lucky to see the butanding in all its

aspects. Some of them related how big it was and how they swam side by

side the fish. I heard from Rene, the BIO, that once, the fish actually "played"

with them and some swimmers for almost an hour. That's how lucky some

people can get while others related that they have spent almost five days in

Donsol without the spotter saying "Ayun!"

To be sure, I had the greatest experience of my life, seeing the largest fish in

the world. The whale shark is out there. Next time I will go back to Donsol. I'll

see to it that I'd not only watch the whale shark at a distance, but face to face.

But I should first learn how to swim and dive.