While there is a controversy as to where the first mass in the Philippines was held, there is no debate as to where Ferdinand Magellan first set foot in the country. Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who led the first successful expedition around the world. He was born in 1480 and died in Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines, in April of 1521.

Every Filipino student know the significance of March 16, 1521, the date when Magellan discovered the Philippines, as was taught in school and yet throughout the years no nationwide celebration has been observed to commemorate the date, except that which is celebrated in the province of Eastern Samar.

Methink, the event has greater significance and must therefore be given more importance and attention.

As historian Agoncillo wrote, it was through expedition that the Europeans first learned of the existence of the Philippines. It was the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe, with a native Filipino, Enrique or Panglima Awang.

It proved that the earth is round, not flat, as was popularly believed then. It established the International Dateline, that one “gains” a day when traveling from west to east and “loses” a day when traveling from east to west.

For Samarenos and Eastern Visayas, Magellan Landing at Homonhon, showed one and all the fact that Samar and the Philippines had already a society and a culture of its own, as Pigafetta wrote, “their seignior was an old man who was painted. He wore two gold earrings in his ears and the others, many gold armlets on their arms and kerchiefs about their heads…They have very black hair that falls to the waist, and use daggers, knives, and spears ornamented with gold, large shields, fascines, javelins and fishing nets that resemble rizali and their boats are like ours.”

On March 16, 2008, four hundred eighty seven years after Magellan landed at the tiny island of Homonhon, a Mass, re-enactment and commemorative program will be held at the Magellan Landing site.

The place is at Pagbabangnan where the big rock which serves as the marker, remains intact, a silent witness to the historic event which took place hundreds of years ago. A Magellan’s Cross, though no longer the original, is also found there (there is one in Cebu) and the spring (now called Magellan Spring) where Magellan and his men drank many years ago continues to provide clear water.

It is hoped that as Eastern Samar commemorates the 487th anniversary of Magellan Landing, the significance of the day will be given focus by history teachers so that young Filipino children will feel proud of their rich history and culture.

Leisure and pleasure seekers, amateur or veteran adventurers, or the plain curious sight-seeing guests can have the challenge of a lifetime when they swim and get up-close with a menacing, giant whale shark in the seawaters of this municipality — exactly a swim along spectacle to behold.

Moncher Bardos, the Tourism Operations Officer of Pintuyan, described the world’s largest mammal which they called “Tiki-Tiki” as six to nine meters long, and the mouth opening is about one meter wide.

Its round body cartilage is about 18 inches thick, so strong barnacles have stuck for all their lives.

In an extremely lucky day, some eight “Tiki-Tki” will be frolicking with a determined swimmer, Bardos said.

Now, if that kind of a whaleshark interaction is not adventure-challenge for you, might as well stay in the boat and enjoy the passing scene just the same.

A lone Tiki-Tiki, or a school of them can be seen in a distance of 50 meters away to the sea from the Pintuyan shoreline.

Bardos, who is also the President of the Southern Leyte Association of Tourism Officers (SLATO), disclosed that Greeg Bloom of “Lonely Planet”, an international travel magazine has been calling him twice already to relay his desire to come to shoot.

The swim-along whaleshark interaction takes three hours, from 5:30 to 8:30 in the morning, with three tourists riding in one boat, plus the tour guide and operator.

Boat rental for one trip is P 500.00 with a maximum of three persons as passengers, a spotter’s fee of P 400.00, naturalist guide of P 300.00, and a conservation fee of P 250.00, which is to be charged per individual.

A homestay program on board and lodging for those who want to stay is being offered, in which P 400.00 is the cost of the food consisting of three meals, two snacks and mineral water, and the accommodation for the night is P 200.00, for a total of P 600.00 per person per day.

This modest business operation is being managed by a People’s organization, the “KASAKA”, or the Kapunungang Sun-okanon alang sa Kalambuan, Bardos said.

Swim along with whale sharks is best undertaken during the months of November up to April for maximum exposure.

For two years in a row, this natural sight with sea creatures had attracted quite a number of foreign tourists, the number one visitors of which were from Germany. In 2006, some 215 German nationals had a swim along, but this decreased to 176 last year, 2007.

Next in number were the Chinese nationals, where there were only three visitors in 2006 but this shot up to 117 in 2007. The third largest group were the British citizens, numbering 38 in 2006, and 96 in 2007.

But domestic visitors, or Filipinos from various parts of the country going in the area, were not to be outdone: in 2006, some 308 Pinoys experienced swim along, and this number increased to 341 in 2007.

Those who are interested are advised to contact Bardos first at the Municipal Office, telephone number (053)587-2015.

Whale sharks are known as harmless fish as they don’t present a threat to either man or the fish that school around them. Whale sharks can weigh over nine tons and grow up to 12 meters in length. They can generally be found in the entire Indian Ocean in depths of up to 130 meters.

An non-government organization, KASAKA, based in the locality also facilitates for an enjoyable dive with the whale sharks aside from the packaged tour in whale watching since two years ago. They also managed the marine sanctuary in the same barangay.

Tourism potentials in the locality generate job opportunities among the local residents. In the whale watching or diving requires spotters, banca operators, food servers, and fees for the tour operators to manage the packaged tours. Accommodation in the barangay for those who would like to stay longer will be taken care of the local residents identified to extend home stay for the tourists.

With the prestine and crystal seas in the barangay as it sits on a coral bed, whale watching could glimpse clearly of the friendly mammals underwater. The pet sharks were usually spotted during the early hours in the morning and late afternoons, however, diving with the whale sharks could be best enjoyed anytime of the day.

While in diving, some people are intimidated by its size. The whale shark is actually a gentle giant keen to avoid confrontations and generally trusting of humans. As for etiquette when diving with a whale shark, it is said that passive interaction is the best policy.

In fact, aggressive behavior can drive them away – so no touching, or swimming after them if you’re hoping for one to hang around you. They can be quite friendly.

The tourists were advised to provide for their own paraphernalia should they opt for swimming with the whale sharks.

Tourism Officer Garvez reported that their office accounted whale watching and diving as top tourist drawers mostly attracting foreigners to the province. That last year, a dive shop based in Bohol province also visited the area, he further disclosed.

“Judging on the success of the Competition, we are now contemplating of making two competitions annually,” Mayor Tiu said. The summer or Easter Sunday Competition which is the usual schedule of the national skimboarding competition will still be continued while the December Competition will still push through every year.

This will still depend on the availability of sponsors for the event, Mayor Tiu said. While he knew that Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla and the other sponsors, will still be willing to sponsor the two skimboarding events, he said that he still need the support of more benevolent benefactors and the promotional support from the national government so that this competition will really be included in the annual Tourism activities of the Philippines.

Several members of the media voiced out the need for the support of the national government so that the Skimboarding initiatives of the local government of Tanauan, Leyte will get a big boost. This kind of activity which has been launched through local initiatives, must be given the necessary logistics and promotional support from the national government, the local media opined.

The Competition was capped with an Awarding ceremonies, followed with a Reggae Party which lasted until three o’clock the following morning. This was participated in by hundreds of participants and other spectators from the different parts of the country.

Two hundred skim riders participated in the three categories of the National Skimboarding Competition, the groumet division for the youngsters category, the Wahini Division for the women participants and the Open Men’s Division for the professional skim riders.

As in the past, the riders from Tanauan lorded it in all categories, over the other riders from all over the country. This is not a hometown decision, Mayor Tiu said, because the judges came from the Philippine Skim Association.

For the groumet division, Jhonry Cinco got his second championship title, followed by Frande Piamonte, Carl Gabas and Hendric Vargas, all of Tanauan, Leyte.

Woman rider Sheryl Pajelleno was again adjudged as the Wahini Division champion for the second year. The other winners are Kikay Espada, Tina Cumpio, all of Tanauan; and Jamaica Salceda of Cebu as the 3rd runner up.

Obet Yanuario emerged as champion in the Men’s Division. Obet was the emerging champion last year but he ended up as a runner up because he suffered a foot dislocation on the last day of the competition.

Dariel Espada of Tanauan, who was last year’s champion, won as the first runner up while cousin Leo Espada who is this year’s first International Malaysian Skimboarding Champion emerged as 2nd runner up. Dags Hermosa of Cebu placed 3rd runner up.

As Philippine Skimboarding Association President Juan Duazo of said, the Skimboarding competition in Tanauan, does not only provide a venue where the riders can compete and enjoy the ocean, it is also an opportunity to meet other riders from all over the country, renew friendships and develop love for the sea and nature. When one loves the sea so much, that will really make him want to protect the environment.

He thanked Mayor Tiu and the local government of Tanauan for taking the lead in promoting skimboarding as water sport.

What a better way of saying Thank You for all the blessings that the town and its people has received the whole year round and all through these years, than contributing one’s best talent, Mayor Tiu stressed.

Showcasing the best talents and the culture and tradition of the municipality, will also ensure that the younger generations are given the chance to know the culture and tradition of their forefathers. It is only by knowing, that the younger generation will learn to love and to be proud of their roots and their cultural heritage, Mayor Tiu added.

Nightly cultural presentations from August 1 to 14 will feature the talents in the various schools, the local government unit and the non-government organizations in Tanauan.

In the afternoon of August 14, the Pasaka Festival, a colorful presentation of dance drama and street-dancing which depicts a community paying homage to the Blessed Virgin as she is assumed into heaven, will be staged for the 15th year.

The Pasaka Festival competition is grouped into three categories, the senior category participated in by high school students, the junior category composed of elementary pupils and the Merry Makers.

August 15 which has been proclaimed as Tanauan Day and at the same time the feast of the town’s patroness, is focused on the religious rites, thus, the cultural presentations are scheduled only up to August 14, Mayor Tiu informed. (PIA 8)