Suspected ambergris, known commonly as whale vomit or “floating gold,” which can reportedly fetch millions of pesos depending on its quality, was found by fishermen in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.

Fishermen found the substance after noticing several sharks circling a floating object emitting a strong odor.

A fisherman who saw the object first said the material had a waxy texture and a scent similar to perfume.

“Ga-mantika man tapos ma-amoy man siya may pagkaperfume. Tapos daghan kaau nga mga pating nga nagakaon,” a fisherman, Gabriel Kilat, said.

After bringing the substance ashore, Kilat and his companions researched its possible value and learned that high-grade ambergris could be worth up to P1.5 million per kilo.

“Based sa reseach namin 1.5 million daw po ang suka ng balyena depende sa klase ng kulay nito kung puti ito daw po yung high class na suka ng balyena,” a resident, Steward Naning, said.

Due to its strong smell, the fishermen decided to bury the material after samples were taken fro laboratory testing.

“Nagdesisyun nga kung pwede pustun sa og trapal then ibaon sa lupa since ongoing pa ang gidala nila nga sample subject for laboratory,” Barangay Tibpuan Chairman Herman Delasan said.

On Sunday, May 10, 2026, the substance was dug up and brought to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-SOCCSKSARGEN (BFAR-12) for further analysis.

Fishermen said if proven genuine, the find could bring significant financial relief to the fishermen and their community.

“Kung tinuod siya, ma-positive sir, makatabang sa among kapobrehon , tapos  ang among simbahan , daghang mag simbahan nga matabangan,” Kilat said.

“As of now wala pang confirmation kung ito ba ay sinasabi na ambergris.  Patuloy kaming nakikipag-ugnayan sa UP Mindanao na hopefully makuha namin ang kanilang side kasi nga nag-offer sila na they will do the analysis yung sample characterization,” Sultan Kudarat Provincial Fishery Officer, Jeffrey Nuñez, said.