Bioluminescent algae make Calaguas shores glow at night

A family trip to Calaguas Island in Camarines Norte turned into a mesmerizing encounter with nature, after a beach in the area appeared to glow in the dark.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras,” Friday, Jade Saludal's family noticed the shoreline lighting up while they were having dinner by the sea.

“Para po siyang firefly, pero mas blue po siya. Hindi po namin alam kung ano ‘yun eh. Basta umiilaw kapag inaanod siya sa beach and kapag natatapakan. Super na-amaze po kami kasi first time po namin makakita ng ganun. Ang ganda po niya in person,” Jade said.

The phenomenon, while magical in appearance, has a scientific explanation.

Per Kuya Kim, the glowing effect is caused by bioluminescent organisms—living organisms capable of producing light through a chemical reaction.

This process involves two key components: luciferin and luciferase, which react with oxygen to emit energy in the form of light.

“Ang luciferin na isang molecule ay nagre-react sa oxygen. Pinapabilis ng enzyme na luciferase na ang proseso is sa kalaunan ay naglalabas ng enerhiya sa anyo ng liwanag. Ang bioluminescence ay tinuturing na isang cold light, mas mababa sa 20 percent ng energy na nalilikha nito ang napupunta sa init or thermal energy,” marine biologist Glenville Castrence said.

Bioluminescence serves various purposes in nature, including defense against predators, attracting prey, and communication among organisms.

The glowing effects seen in Calaguas, in particular, are believed to be caused by bioluminescent algae.

“Mga microscopic plankton na tinatawag na dinoflagellates. Mga single celled organism na lumulutang sa tubig dagat at madalas na nagkakaroon ng glowing waves kapag na disturb ‘yung tubig. Makikita ito sa mga baybayin, lalo na kapag  meron tayong algal bloom,” Castrence said. —Carby Rose Basina/JCB, GMA News