The sea water in the coastline of Barangay Pawa, Manito, Albay was seen boiling, a phenomenon believed to be caused by the presence of eight to nine clusters of inactive volcanoes beneath the seabed.

The boiling water can be observed during low tide, smoking and emanating a sulfur smell.

Some residents take advantage of the phenomenon by using the boiling water to make hard boiled eggs. 

Rosa Dasalla Lorestro, a resident, said that she used to catch crabs in the area and use the boiling water to cook it.

“Nung pumapasok na kami sa elementary, pag tuwing ganitong panahon na tuyo ang dagat ay pumupunta kami dyan at kumukuha ng alimasag; pagkatapos pag may nakuha kami, inilalagay namin dyan ayun naluluto,” Lorestro said.

To prevent accidents, the barangay has placed markers in the area to warn people, especially children, against swimming during high tide when the boiling water may suddenly bubble over violently, or explode.

“Binawala namin yung mga bata pag maligo dito kasi pumuputok to, sumasabog siya,” Loterio Daep, the Barangay Captain, said.

According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Bicol, there are around eight to nine clusters of inactive volcanoes beneath the seabed.

They added that the boiling water and the clusters of inactive volcanoes are not connected to the Mayon Volcano, and do not affect marine life in the area.

“Kahit sabihin natin mainit diyan, may mga species tayo ng mga marine life na kumbaga naka adopt na sa mainit na temperature, kaya meron paring natitira,” Arlene Dayao, Chief Geologist of MGB Bicol, said.