Next to the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City, this coastal town is emerging as Pangasinan province’s new ecotourism destination due to the presence of whale sharks near its shorelines. The whale sharks, locally known as “butanding” or “supok,” have been attracting droves of tourists since May, said Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center in Dagupan City. “This is the longest time so far that these sea creatures have stayed here,” Rosario said. Almost every year since 2001, whale sharks have been finding their way to the Lingayen Gulf. But they would leave after two or three weeks, Rosario said.

Cardinoza, G. (2013, August 9). 'Butanding' lifts town's tourism industry. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A10.