Donsol Sorsogon in the Bicol region of southeastern Luzon, Philippines, was a poor sleepy town 10 years ago. An old fisherman once said they were the forgotten town of Bicol. Being far away from the regional centre of Legazpi City, they were constantly passed over for development. But the sleepy town of yesteryear is no more. Ever since rumours of a "guaranteed" whale shark sighting leaked out, local tourists and marine scientists have been flocking to the site to investigate the claim. News spread like wildlife and soon came the tourists. First, they came in the hundreds, then by the thousands. Every year since 1998, their numbers have steadily grown. This was the Donsol phenomenon, and it was to bring about their economic salvation.
Whale sharks swim thousands of kilometres following currents that lead them to plankton-rich feeding grounds. To reach their maximum length of 20 metres and weigh more than 13 tonnes, they need to eat a lot. With the Burias-Ticao Pass providing the bay of Donsol with abundant plankton, whale sharks make their annual pilgrimage there without fail. They have been known to come as early as December, and their numbers usually culminate in June with peak season lasting from March through May.
Festival
