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WWF Humpback
Whale Research & Conservation Project |
| October
15, 2001 was the first time I've heard about World
Wild Fund for Nature Philippines. All the while I
thought that it only existed in other countries but not the
Philippines. I met Alan Silayan, in Cebu
while on a weeklong conference and found out he was employed at
WWF. My interest with joining WWF on a conservation project
was immediately covered by the current adventures at hand. Together with brothers and sisters of my community, I went to Bohol and maximized our short stay there by visiting the famous Chocolate Hills, Hinagdanan Cave, Panglao Island, Pamilacan Island, Balicasag Island and the Tarsiers. My interest in WWF came back when we saw pods of dolphins in Pamilacan Island in Bohol, but still I didn't make a conscious effort to join WWF. Just a week after I went back from Bohol and Cebu, Goods Agudo told me he received an invitation to volunteer for Humpback Whale Research Project. I begged him to forward the e-mail to me and I replied with so much enthusiasm. Weeks passed by and I didn't get any reply from WWF. I went on another month long adventure in Surigao del Sur from December to January, but I wasn't able to get it off my mind. I accessed my e-mail as often as I could to check on the status of my application. Finally, the long awaited reply from Jom Acebes (Project Manager) came and the rest was history. I went to WWF for an interview and I was picked for the training because of my availability. February 1-4, 2002, a series of training lectures and actual practice of Cetacean Survey was conducted in Anilao, Batangas. This was the beginning of a dream, the dream that someday, I get to do something for the planet and it's inhabitants. I am going on a three month long Humpback Whale Research Expedition in Babuyan Islands from February 25- May 3, 2002. No phone lines, no televisions, no radio stations and rationed electricity. Exciting is an adjective that falls short to describe the next two months in my life. DAY 1- February 26, 2002-Tuesday I was the first one to arrive at WWF-Philippines office for the final inventory of the equipment. Everyone came later. We bought some of the supplies, then we went straight to Florida Bus station in Sampaloc, Manila. we had a tough time loading all the expedition equipment and personal stuffs. We left manila at around 1500 We've had a total of two stop-overs, one in Bulacan and the other in Nueva Ecija. I bought a fleece blanket worth Php100 in Nueva Ecija. DAY 2- February 27, 2002-Wednesday We arrived in Sta. Ana Commercial Center (trust me, it doesn't look the way its called), Cagayan at around 0600, we hired three tricycles to take us to our basecamp, St. Anthony's School in Sta. Ana. We had breakfast and prepared our gears before we proceeded to the municipal hall. We've met Mayor Rodriguez during our presentation and he invited us over dinner. We had dinner at the Mayor's house. DAY 3- February 28, 2002-Thursday We stayed at St. Anthony the whole day doing ICEC (Information Communication Education Capacity Building). We had lunch in a place called Labaguis. Jom Acebes with Carl & A.G. left for Aparri for buying of supplies. DAY 4- March 1, 2002-Friday Woke up at 0600 and prepared for the test survey near Palaui Island. My first try on the Hydrophone, I was fortunate to record a very faint but recognizable whale song. We sighted our first 3 dolphins. The test survey was only half a day and we went back to Sta. Ana. Jom & Bunny came from Aparri. This is our last night in Sta. Ana. Olive Cataluņa was assigned to cook our food for the crossing and I was to accompany her to our boatman's house where we will cook. DAY 5 - March 2, 2002-Saturday Didn't get enough sleep from the cooking I packed my personal things for the crossing to Camiguin Island. 0800 when we left the shores of Tangatan. the water's surface was nearly glassy and the wind was chilly. As early as the first waypoint, we were able to sight at least 45 Spinner dolphins stenella longirostris. Everyone was excited because of that early sighting. Nearing Camiguin already just before lunchtime, we sighted and confirmed a Mom & calf Humpback Whale. The mother breached at least 9 times. I was able to shoot the behavior with the video camera. We surveyed the surrounding Islets before we finally docked at Balatubat. We settled in a hut rented from a DENR officer Renato Escalante. Bunny Soriano lost his 'Lagalag' cap when it flew from his head. DAY 6 - March 3, 2002-Sunday At this point, my journal became more and more technical. I focused on the behavior of the whale, and other cetaceans. Due to the length or duration of this adventure, the entries of the days to come will contain highlights of the day only unless further elaboration is needed. Sighting of at least 300 assorted dolphins (Melonheaded whale, Frasers) and 3 Humpback whales. We were surprised to see this number of dolphins in one place. The Melonheaded whales were escorting the Humpback Whales, while the Frasers were surfing the waves. They were so predictable that it was easy to capture their movements on camera. Once I see the water swell, I just point the video camera and they come out of that swell. I was able to capture good shots of dolphins bow riding on our boat. There came a point when I can't decide which group of dolphins to shoot because they were all over the place. We use the O'clock system of determining the location of the sighted Cetaceans, but at this point, it was useless. Our team leader Jom Acebes admitted to us that this was the first time, not even the first two expeditions, encountered such a large number. DAY 7 - March 4, 2002-Monday Sighting of breaching whale, 5-7 jumps. Planned transect not followed due to large waves DAY 8 - March 5, 2002-Tuesday We sighted a Mother & calf plus 3 male escorts. The mom was avoiding the males and they were going in circles. At one point, the mom & calf made a wide right turn in front of our boat. The biggest of the three males who was evidently more aggressive made a shortcut and disappeared under our boat. We were a bit tensed by the fact that it can resurface anywhere near our boat. My usual position on the small boat was on top of the bow deck, I went down to change batteries when it happened. The male resurfaced right under our boat, lifting the boat and almost capsizing us. I accidentally turned off the camera because of fright. I can still hear Jom's scream and I can still remember how my knees trembled that day. We were a bit cautious in following the whales now. Jom admitted that her knees were also shaking after that incident. We were following the group as they pursued the mom & calf when the male suddenly leaped out of the water, I was so excited because I was aiming the video camera at that direction when it did. At some point we abandoned the pursuit due to the behavior of the males. We went to Pinon Island and spent an hour sight seeing. DAY 9 - March 6, 2002-Wednesday Reports of typhoon- Our scheduled crossing to Fuga Island was cancelled. We were stranded in Camiguin. DAY 10 - March 7, 2002-Thursday Weather still not good for crossing, we spent the day visiting officials of the Barangay. DAY 11 - March 8, 2002-Friday Third day of stranding, we went out but the waves are still too big to conduct survey. A.G., Ali, Kenneth and Tanya decided to go to Naguilian Beach but Tanya had a minor accident. The hut door slammed on her right forefinger literally snapping the nail in half. Ouch! DAY 12 - March 9, 2002-Saturday Fourth day of our stranding in Camiguin. DAY 13 - March 10, 2002-Sunday We crossed from Camiguin to Fuga. We sighted dolphins and Humpback whales. The waves near Fuga Island were very rough but the view of Fuga was worth all the scare. We landed at Mabaag Island. It's an Island owned by businessman Sonny Lim. We were picked-up from the beach by his Island's caretakers via 4-wheel motorcycles. We loaded our gears and hiked a short distance to his luxurious resort. We were ushered to our rooms with beds and hot shower. The resort was equipped with satellite TV and a very very big kitchen. DAY 14 - March 11, 2002-Monday Only sighting this day was a pod of dolphins. We went back early and as soon as everyone was at their rooms, the resort's caretaker sighted a Lobtailing whale on the resort's binoculars. DAY 15 - March 12, 2002-Tuesday First sighting- 4 dolphins identified as bottlenose by Jom Acebes. We sighted Humpbacks but we weren't able to videograph the sightings because of the sea condition. We also saw 2 manta rays and a sea snake. Bunny Soriano was surprised to see 'Lagalag' cap hanging on the resort's clothesline. The name of the cap is the tagalog translation of the word Well-travelled. DAY 16 - March 13, 2002-Wednesday We recorded our first good whale song. I went for a swim in the clear blue waters of Mabaag Island. This was our last day in Mabaag and Fuga Islands. DAY 17 - March 14, 2002-Thursday Every two days, Jom & I exchange positions with Carl and A.G. Two days on the Big Boat (MV Christian) and two days on the small boat (Dan- Dan). This day was my second day on the Big boat. We surveyed the half part of Dalupiri Island on the way to Calayan Island. We sighted at least 4-6 dolphins but wasn't able to record on tape. Just before Calayan, we sighted around 60 dolphins, we used up our gas trying to capture the frenzy on video. We were about to dock when Kenneth heard some clicking sounds and someone spotted two Humpback whales. One 'Lobtailing' and the other 'Flipperslapping'. We went to that location for an opportunity to film it. the waves were as big as a two story house that we found it hard to keep filming. It was like a carnival ride with no safety locks. I ripped the boats tarpaulin trying to keep myself from falling off the boat. As we were nearing the two whales, the waterproof housing of the video camera started fogging. I took it off the housing, and in doing so, I accidentally turned off the camera, capturing nothing of the great whale show. We had to abandon the two whales due to gas shortage. Upon arrival at our destination, I noticed a very pretty lady talking to Jom. Everyone, including the girls in our group were surprised to find someone so fair and pretty. Rumor spread quickly that she was a nun. Later I found out that she was a religion teacher assigned here, not a nun, and she is living in the same house with us. Hmm, interesting. Her name was Christina 'Tin' Pangdao, a native of Ifugao. |