PAL’s Borongan debut finds whale island
The attention of passengers and netizens on the maiden flight was caught by the uncanny resemblance of the shape of the island just across Borongan City to a whale
Daily TribuneThe attention of passengers and netizens on the maiden flight was caught by the uncanny resemblance of the shape of the island just across Borongan City to a whale
TACLOBAN CITY — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines landed its maiden flight in Borongan City past noon on Monday — the first commercial flight of any airline to the Eastern Samar capital, that may yet result in the bonus of discovering a hitherto unknown "whale island."
The attention of passengers and netizens on the maiden flight was caught by the uncanny resemblance of the shape of the island just across Borongan City to a whale prompting the provincial tourism officer to suggest calling it a Whale Island as its alternate name.
"So, can we call Ando Island the Whale Island? Only in Borongan City Eastern Samar," provincial tourism officer Neil Alejandro Pinarok said of a photo he took of the island as the plane approaches the Borongan City airport.
The shot was accompanied by a photo of a humpback whale taking a similar shape.
Ando Island, situated six kilometers from the mainland on the Pacific side, is one of the tourism come-ons of the city due to its white sand beaches, coral formations, caves, and clear blue waters making it ideal for diving and snorkeling.
Diving spots
Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Agda told Daily Tribune that the city government is promoting Ando Island, and its neighboring Divinubo Island, as one of the diving spots in Eastern Visayas.
"We have wrecks hidden beneath the waters of boats that sank during World War II," Agda said. "They are good spots for scuba diving."
Direct flights to Eastern Samar, Agda said, will help strengthen Borongan City's position as the next adventure and sporting capital in the country.
In November, Borongan City hosted the third leg of the National Surfing Championships drawing participants from all over the country.
Agda said PAL is also helping promote the city as the surfing and skimboarding capital in the Visayas.