Whale sharks, locally known as “butanding,” have been spotted once again at Tayabas Bay about a month after the most recent storm to hit the country, according to residents of the coastal town of Sariaya and an environmental group based in Quezon province. Jay Lim, project manager of Tanggol Kalikasan, said more than 20 butanding were seen at the bay just last week. By his estimate, the species, which goes by the scientific name Rhincodon typus, were 4.5 meters to 12 meters (15 feet to 40 feet) in length. Before the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” (international name: Nalgae) late in October, there were few butanding at the bay, Lim said.

Mallari, D. T. Jr. (2022, November 27). Quezon folk welcome ‘butanding’ return to Tayabas Bay. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A2.