Without a doubt, Lupon will be the region's Dolphin Watching Capital!. Upon the ivitation of BFAR IX, our group left for Lupon on a very early Thursday last week, bringing with us a bagfull of excitement and of course my underwater camera and Peewee's underwater video cam. Upon arrival, we were briefted on the status of the Panagubaan reef and the fish aggregating devices(Payao) that was installed with the assistance of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and was also welcomed by Dingdong Quinones, the son of the Mayor.

 

As the water surges was strong in the morning, we were treated for a sumptous lunch at the office of Mayor Arfran Quinones and had to wait for an hour before the water will calm. Everyone geared up excitedly as it calmed and went aboard the bantay dagat boat. We were to meet the dolphins at the first payao as they usually took shelter there, to our dismay, the trio wasn't there. Then we tried our luck to the 2nd payao with the same luck. Perturberance were painted to everyone's face as the 3rd payao was our last chance, but lo and behold! 3 graceful mamals were approaching our boat and came near its bow as Dingdong sounded his magic clap. They're a very awesome sight to see, very magnificent and friendly. Peewee, Poker and me even went down and was beholden to encounter them in around ten feet distance.

 

The Dolphins were spotted since November of 2005 but it has been somewhat of a resident since then. As the mayor's son growing affection for this splendid creature, they have been protected and made Lupon into the tourism map of the region.

 

As of writing, there are no travel packages yet, but one can go with a permission from the FARMCI. FYI: Bantay dagat police patrols the area and literally strict in the implementation... be wary.