Butandings(Whale Sharks) "The Gentle Giants" of the Philippines

The whale shark also known as Rhincodon Typus is locally known here in the Philippines as the Butanding. This is a gentle giant which has so often been misjudged due to the term "shark" that has been attached to its name. It is actually quite far from being a terror of the sea and it merely feeds on plankton or krill along the coasts. The Butanding(Whale Shark) is also considered to being one of the largest living known fish in the world and has been recorded to grow to over 15 meters in length.

Butandings can be sighted in numerous places here The Philippines, however the most popular spot is located in Donsol, Sorsogon. It is in this area that it is considered to have the highest concentration of Butandings in the world. The Department of Tourism in 1998 has declared Donsol as an official Butanding sanctuary in order to protect its species. Other Butanding spots here in the Philippines are Oslob in Cebu, Palawan, Nasugbu, and Anilao both of which are in Batangas. The average size of Butandings in Donsol range between 7 to 8 meters in length as compared to Oslob which is roughly about 6 meters.

Butandings(Whale Sharks) are gentle giants. Most of those that have been able to share their stories of encounters with these marvelous giants of the sea, have nothing but awe. To many it is also the most humbling experience that they have had. One should definitely feel privileged to be beside one of these gentle giants as not many can experience this. Some though would initially feel a bit terrified at first as once you are beside one you'll get to finally realize how massive the Butandings really are.

Buttanding season is mostly around the December to May months with a more probable sighting between the months of Feb and April.

Tips and what you should do when you are interacting with a Butanding.

1. Listen to the safety precautions that are being discussed during the briefing period. The person conducting the briefing should be a Butanding Interaction Officer (BIO).

2. If you are planning to swim with the Butanding, it would be wise to inform the BIO about your swimming prowess before attempting to do so. It would be advisable to wear the necessary safety gear at all times and always stay close to the BIO and the boat you are assigned to.

3. Test all equipment prior to using it in the water.

4. Never jump in the water unless the BIO signals that it is safe to do so.

5. Underwater photography is allowed but should not use flash or any other artificial lighting as this could startle the Butanding.

6. You should never ride, feed or impede the movement of the Butanding. Observe a safe distance from the Butanding which is roughly about 3 meters from the head and body while keeping a distance of 4 meters from its tail.

7. Keep the environment clean at all times. It is important to dispose of waste and trash materials properly to safeguard the habitat of the ocean life in the area.

It is wise to follow these guidelines to protect the Butandings and of course yourself from getting harmed. Be very careful with guides that say you can touch or ride the Butandings as that is not allowed. It is because of some boat operators and guides that there are many Butandings that have gotten scared because of close human contact. Be reminded not to feed the Butandings as this too will disrupt their natural eating habits and might make them dependent on humans. If these rules are followed strictly, you and the Butandings will guaranteed a safe and awe inspiring experience.

To get to Donsol, Sorsogon which is located in Bicol Province, you can either take the bus or plane from Manila to get to Legaspi City. From there you should be able to find a van or cab that'll take you to Donsol from the terminals. The trip from Legaspi to Donsol would usually take around 1 to 1 1/2 hours give or take depending on traffic. You can also bring your own vehicle from Manila, though this option would usually leave the driver too exhausted to do anything else.

Another place mentioned earler is Oslob which is located in Cebu City. From Manila, you'd have to take a plane ride to Cebu City. Once there you can hire a van or ride a bus from the South Bus Terminal that would head to Oslob. The trip takes roughly about 3 hours. From Oslob you have to go to Tan-Awan which is about 10 km away which is where the Butandings are normally spotted.

The Butandings are amazing and one which we can take pride in as they grace our seas quite often. It is our responsibility build awareness and take care of them as well as their environment. They've long been a source of tourism here and shall continue to do so if we take steps into conserving their environment. I am glad that the current efforts of those living with them and The Philippine government are moving towards a better future for the Butandings and those around them, but we still have a long way to go to ensure that these gentle giants of the sea have a future to look forward to with us and with the generations to come.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-