Last weekend, I abutting a medical mission in Tinalmud, Pasacao, Camarines Sur, a far barangay attainable alone by baiter biking through the Ragay Gulf, forth the bank of the Bicol Peninsula. Aside from a acceptable breach from about 24/7 Internet works, the break aswell able me with the attenuate adventitious to alone affirm that bang sharks (Butanding), advised “gift from God” by the humans of Donsol Sorsogon, now aswell abide the littoral amnion of Pasacao Camarines Sur.
Very few humans in the apple accept had the adventitious to appointment these lovable, alarming giants. So I am appreciative to be just one point abbreviate of the career almanac of the abundant sea explorer, Jacques Cousteau, who had accepted accepting encountered a bang bluff alone alert in his lifetime.
We larboard Pasacao anchorage at 7:30 A.M. and accomplished Tinalmud at about 10:00 AM. It was a brilliant day but the after-effects were huge and we were traveling one kilometer abroad from the shore. Midway through the ride, the afraid baton of our aggressive escorts, Lt. Alcala, asked us to put on our activity vests. At this point, I acquainted some abjure that I had to accompany with me my video cam and laptop; I did not like to leave them in my car, which was anchored at Pasacao port.
The after-effects were even added gigantic on our acknowledgment cruise by mid-afternoon, Few account on the way home, I asked an even added worried-looking Lt. Alcala if he was because traveling aback and delay for the morning the next day if the after-effects would be added tolerable. No, our navigator (a commissioned soldier from Catanduanes) is an expert, he assured me. He asked us about to sit actual abutting to the attic of the banca. So out we go, no axis back. I able my apperception to accident my hand-carried admired gadgets, in case we had to bathe to bank if the baiter capsized.
For about an hour, anybody artlessly watched the big after-effects in silence, activity the automatic banca accepting cautiously maneuvered through rushes of big after-effects afterwards waves. Again from the aback of the baiter came aflame voices,”May butanding.” There it was indeed, a bang shark, the admeasurement of a diminutive car and searching every bit like the admiration I see alone in photos and videos, traveling with us ancillary by side. It was so close, just a brace of anxiety abroad from the appropriate outrigger. If the bang bluff just affected the boat, it could tip, throwing us all into the accessible sea. I aimed my video camera in the administration of the bang bluff but it al of a sudden disappeared.
Moments after it reappeared fleetingly 10 meters abroad still traveling with us. The soldier abaft me said,”Ginagabayan tayo (It is guiding/protecting us).”
The bang bluff appeared for the endure time about 100 meters advanced of us, playfully amphibian with the huge waves. For a cursory moment it faced us and vanished as a splash. This animal could be cogent us, “This is my area and you are welcome.”
It could as able-bodied be adulatory us “Von Voyage.” We accustomed at Pasacao anchorage two asperous hours later. And safe on shore, alone again could I say acknowledge you.
