May is celebrated as National Ocean Month in the Philippines, and for the people of Bohol, the occasion was made more poignant with the sighting of a rarely seen marine mammal in the waters near the island. During the opening parade for Ocean Month on May 2, Boholanos were greeted with a pleasant surprise when a Bryde’s whale about 11 meters long approached the coast of Jagna town to swim and feed, according to a news release from a group of marine biologists.
Researchers from the non-profit organization Physalus spotted the whale while they were conducting a study on large marine vertebrates. The team is composed of Dr. Alessandro Ponzo, Josh Silberg, and Kristina Pahang. The sighting is significant, as it is only the second time the species has been documented in the Bohol Sea since a ban on whale hunting was imposed in 1993, according to the team. A group from Silliman University made the first sighting in June 12 last year, they added.
Marine biologists say further sightings would be a strong indication that the whales are returning to their former range, after years of population decline due to hunting. Bryde’s whales inhabit tropical and sub-tropical seas worldwide. They are identified through their plate-like teeth called baleen, with which they feed on their diet of mostly small crustaceans and fish. Bryde's whales are related to blue whales, the largest animal on the planet. The group Physalus runs marine life education programs in schools around Bohol and helps rescue stranded marine mammals. The Ocean Month celebration in the province culminates with the Bohol Dolphin Festival on May 31 in Tagbilaran. Other events include the Run for the Ocean on May 28 from Tagbilaran to Baclayon, and the Bohol Sea Young Defenders’ Day on May 30 in Baclayon. In 2008, the United Nations designated June 8 as World Oceans Day. -
CGL/ELR, GMA News 
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