Gentle Blue Whale Shark

A tourist-oriented realty firm based here is developing a beachfront property in Donsol, Sorsogon where a world-class resort hotel would rise to boost the tourism industry in the area known as the “Whale Shark Capital of the World”.

Misibis Lands Inc. (MLI), the would be developer is now arranging the acquisition of the property and financing for the project that would cost some P500 million to be sourced largely from internal capitalization and bank loans, its chairman of the board and chief executive officer Elizalde Co said Thursday.

MLI, a prominent property developer that is among the Sunwest Group of Companies (SGC) based here and owned by the Co family is also owner of Hotel Venezia, a luxurious boutique hotel that lies within Renaissance Garden, a posh residential property at the heart of this city.

It is also the developer of Discovery Bay Misibis (DBM) and Misibis Residential Estate and Spa (MRES) within a 40-hectare island property in Cagraray Island of Bacacay, Albay, both world-class tourist destinations overlooking Albay Gulf whose grand opening is slated before the end of this year.

Discovery Bay Misibis is a P1.6-billion luxury resort on a vast beachfront property placed under the administration of HSAI Raintree, a reputable hospitality management firm behind several well-known tourist facilities in the country like Discovery Suites and Country Suites in Tagaytay City and Discovery Shores in Boracay.

It would be composed of 38 luxury villas and 100-room three-story resort units within the five-hectare property that is more luxurious than the Discovery Shores in Boracay.

“Unlike Boracay that caters more to party crowds, Misibis would serve as haven for eco-tourists who prefer nature and adventure,” Co said.

Other amenities that could be expected from Misibis are horseback riding around the 400-hectare Cagraray Island and interaction with rare animals at a petting zoo that would be set up within the area, he added.

The Misibis Residential Estate that lies within a 20-hectare elevated terrain gifted below with clean and fine white sand beaches, crystal-clear seawater and green environment is comprised of 300 residential properties sold mostly to Filipino-American and Japanese retirees for private development.

The Donsol resort hotel will be master-planned by the world-renowned Australia-based BN Group Pty.Ltd, the same firm behind Sydney Marina, KLCC Suria Complex in Kuala Lumpur and the Embarcadero here, Co said.

Embarcadero, a tourism mall complex also owned by MLI and located at a busy seafront district of this city is expected to open by December this year.

The development of the Donsol resort would start perhaps by early next year and once completed and made operational.

Co said this facility will spur the growth of the whale shark town into a luxurious haven for eco-tourists.

Thousands of foreign tourists arrive at the place during whale shark interaction seasons starting summer to the third quarter of the year but at present, there are no hotel facilities in the area to accommodate them, he said.

What happens now is that these tourists would stay at hotels in this city, go to Donsol that is 40 kilometers away in the morning then return to their hotels late in the afternoon, Co said.

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The silence is broken only by the swish of the paddle. Suddenly the boat goes faster. Ah! Here’s what you’re looking for: a tree full of fireflies! You all decide to stop by the bank to bask in the beauty of these magnificent creatures. You can’t imagine where in the world they all come from in order to converge here.

Then another tree full of fireflies comes into view, and another and another. You keep on going northwards to see more and more trees full of fireflies. The darkness is illumined very gently – you imagine tiny pin lights. (Some cell phones give out more illumination). Yet the outlines of the treetops are visible against the sky.

You take out your flashlight and point it to the fireflies – you don’t see any within the orb of the flashlight. But of course! At a distance of a few feet, you don’t see the bodies of the insects. Turn off your flashlight and what you see in the dark are the lights that they emit.

You recline on the boat – wow! Millions of stars! Pin lights above you; pin lights in front of you; darkness all around. Can you be in a more magical place than this?

I was in this most magical place on January 16, 2008.

The following day, early morning, we went boating in Donsol Bay to see the whale sharks. I stayed in the boat but my friend Linda went down the water. A fellow snorkeler was able to take an underwater picture of the whale shark with Linda in the foreground. She was smaller that the mammoth’s fin!

There are more whale sharks now than previously because the waters in Donsol Bay were cleaned up as a result of typhoon Reming in 2006.

Interact with fireflies and whale sharks! Email sarabatan@yahoo.com  or call +39277512768. Edith Batalla

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There’s always about summer that excites everyone. I know that the heat is more than scourging, punitive really when you think about it. But when immaculately white beaches and fine sand come to mind, everything’s forgotten. No amount of excessively damaging tropical heat can hold me from hitting the sea and the sand, regardless of my poor ‘beach’ physique state. Really, it is horrible so I’d spare you of mind-boggling, unnecessary intestine-twisting workout sight of my even half-naked pictures. Given the erratic gene composition and the who-cares-if-I-die-from-too much eating attitude, I’m sure you have the idea where the bulges run to for comfort, yes, the thighs, chin, and that belly you barely see uncovered (which I’m sure most of you appreciate sooo much).

Summer’s not even about being buff and all, although it matters to a few lot. It’s more of having great fun and doing everything that you want to do come hell or high waters. Being a certified island inhabitant, I take pride in knowing the pristine locations for best beaches. Yes, I am biased to say that Caramoan and Burias top my list. And I’m thankful that the DOT hasn’t really found a way to outsell all these secret treasures. Not like what Boracay and Puerto Galera have been doing for the recent years. That’s rather sad but who are we to complain when opportunities equalize the lack of employment for the locals, right? Which when you closely analyze, such a move shouldn’t necessarily have the effects these treasured gems needlessly endure.

Compared with all the summers I had to go through, this year’s a big hit. There were a lot of places I went to, people I’ve come to share my adventures with, and discoveries I’ve uncovered. Although it was grief which welcomed us at first with our dear greatgrandma’s passing, it didn’t hinder the summer spirit to lift us up and ultimately savor the little surprises this momentary existence has to offer.

First destination: Legazpi.

Where my balikbayan relatives and I had to scout for the best bargains that we can dig in for our season wear, at least some items that one can’t find from my shop (shameless free plugging!). Picture-taking at the Cagsawa ruins and chasing Mayon Volcano’s tip for the rare shots was a complete treat. At night, James the incomparable life of the party/official heavy drinker/balikbayan pasaway, Flavs the resident gimikera/people’s walking directory and I would go bar hopping, drinking, and dancing till the bars had to literally turn the lights on to shoo us on our way to the door.

Next: Donsol, Sorsogon!

I had to coercively ask my brother/assigned driver of the pack to pull the breaks just for me to puke all the generous longsilog meal I ate for breakfast. Yup, the roads are endless spirals, worse than the Bitukang-manok one has to trek when traveling to Manila or Baguio’s Kennon Road. After almost bathing with Katinko, a really potent ointment for all sorts of dizziness and headaches, and sneaking some sleep, it was time to meet the butandings. Whale sharks or butandings are as gargantuan as a bus, while it was a consolation that all they ate are planks, I can’t help but be a little scared while they display those wickedly-placed small teeth infront of me. For Pete’s sake, they can be friendly without literally flashing on those smiles while I grit my own teeth to muster courage! It was an amazing experience though to play with these rare species. They have immense power and you just know it. But there they are, mingling with tiny, funny-looking creatures—us. It was an exhilarating moment. I met seven mighty butandings. I hope I’d see them again sooner. They made the bitter vomit extra worth it.

Then off we went to Burias Island, where beaches are unmatched. Finest sand, really friendly locales (to the point of being nosy, I know I lived there and loved the way it was and has always been), and great-tasting seafood. Clams, crabs, fishes of all variants, name it! Sumbrero Island is a masterpiece! And the Tinalisayan Islands, those were part of my childhood years. Then there’s the infinite buko eating and horseback-riding! The fondest memories are all alive once again in this little, unknown paradise. And how selfish I am up until this point that I wouldn’t want any ‘commercialized’ hands to dare touch them. Something about being territorial, you know.

Boracay – the ultimate tourist destination. Where parties and people-watching are the mainstream. And where sunsets are always entirely different everyday, breathtaking at the least. This year was different since I was with my relatives from Canada. We were all geared to have the best fun of our lives just yet. It was the first time that I did some island hopping, tried the banana boat while defying all the boatmen’s rules, rock climbed and reached the top in my very first attempt to conquer Patio Pacific’s infamous 12-meter climbing wall, and sung strings of songs, yes even the phenomenal ‘Pinoy Ako’ in the resort’s open bar. Of course, the parties always make the trip a certified blast. Club Paraw’s the newest party scene, replacing Cocomangas in a span of less than a year. The crowd’s just okay, not as much as last year’s mall-like environment. Overall, I think this Boracay experience was a huge leap from the first time since I shared it with coolest people on earth!

And who would miss Baguio from the list? There’s the usual visit to Mine’s View Park which sadly isn’t getting the best angle of views recently with the glaring eyesore of overpopulation and inconceivable city planning. Then there’s the novel experience of padding through the chilly although semi-stinking man-made lake at the Burnham Park. Since it was the peak, being the Holy Week, there are a number of people edging their way in or out the mass of equally-eager tourists to have their pictures taken at the Mansion, Botanical Gardens, and Camp John Jay. And what a way to remember this trip without a token or souvenir, right? I had the most unusual one at that, cutting my right ring finger almost in half while jumping off the ancient and rusting military truck displayed at the Camp. More than hurting me, it was the squeamish blood which scared the hell out of me. And you think that would stop me from partying all night? You’re dead wrong! I could’ve opted to stay put and go straight to Sagada but then the ‘goodie’ side of me rather pulled me back to my senses. On our way back, we were treated royalty with the broken aircon at the van. Nice. Very nice, but no thanks. I couldn’t even move my fingers since doing just that would mean giving yourself with extra motion heat. Whew! Good thing that Genova, Tarlac’s Isdaan was a fresh relief.

The summer’s just halfway through. I don’t know if I could still make it to Bohol or Palawan. But being cash-strapped after all these trips, I have no option but enjoy the early commutes to Binondo, Makati, and San Lazaro every day. Buckle up to work. Back to reality.

About the Author
Gel Rivera, aside from nagging prospects to invest in Philippine’s prime real estates, juggles three reads at a time, vents intrinsic rage and cheesy moments through writing, propels sleazy and reflective thoughts in between naps, kills time by staring at people, tweaks texts and laptop, nourishes himself with creative urban noise or music, and escapes blissfully to his frequently-typhoon ravaged yet pristinely-tucked paradise in Burias Island. He has written for the world-class coffee table book “Ina and the Bikol People”, contributed for Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan’s publication, and edited annuals and magazines.

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Donsol used to be a sleepy coastal town in Sorsogon—a province in the southernmost tip of Luzon. Nobody knows Donsol except for, of course, its local inhabitants until a few years ago when tourists from all over the world began to flock this remote place to get a look-see at the largest fish on earth: the whale shark.

Before, fishermen in Donsol were ignorant of the ecological (and tourist) value of whale sharks. They used to hunt, slaughter and sell the poor gentle sea creatures to Japanese traders. Local folks call them “butanding” or “big fish” in the vernacular. Early sightings of the butandings were reported in the Visayan seas in Bohol further south. It was said that massive slaughtering caused their migration to Donsol waters.

Although, according to stories, the first butanding that was netted out in the area was also butchered. A marine biologist witnessed it and instantly recognized the fish as a rare marine specie. The biologist immediately reported the incident to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), an international organization promoting the preservation of the wildlife.

WWF wasted no time and launched an education campaign about the giant creature. After coordinating with the Department of Tourism, whale-watching soon became a tourist activity that allowed extra income for the people of Donsol.

Whale sharks can grow up to 50 feet in length. It has a rather wide mouth with hundreds of pointed teeth. It usually comes in grey or greenish brown color with white or yellow spots all over its body.

It earned the label gentle giant of the sea because of its harmless nature, considering it is of the shark family. It has nothing in common with whales except for its size, thus the name. Divers can swim and interact with them and are only known to sink deeper into the ocean when it gets upset. There has been no known attack on humans of whale sharks.

Scientists are still baffled with the large migration of whale sharks in Donsol. These fishes are known to prefer the cold waters, not the tropical seas that we have. One explanation would be the flourishing of planktons in the area. Planktons are organisms that fill the diet of the whale sharks. It is also hard to record the number of whale sharks that now thrive in Donsol. But early studies show that whale sharks can travel 14,000 miles in 40 months and is capable of breeding in different sea environments.

Whale sharks swim on the surface of the water especially during the morning and early afternoon. It opens its mouth rhythmically when feeding on the planktons and visitors may be treated to this wondrous sight if they spot the fish at the perfect time. But don’t expect them to jump up and down the water like the whales or dolphins. That’s actually another beauty of the whale shark experience because this makes it perfectly east and safe to get near them.

About The Author

John Grant has been living in the Philippines for 5 years and has travelled the country extensively. His online Philippines Travel Guide http://www.netguard.dk gives you an extensive coverage of destinations like Sorsogon http://www.netguard.dk/luzon/sorsogon/

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