NATION

Palawan resident claims potential meteorite discovery

Jonas Reyes · Oct 2, 2026, 2:20 AM

J Paul Satur displays a small, unusually heated rock he found outside his home in Barangay Poblacion, Taytay, Palawan. Satur suspects the object may be of extraterrestrial origin after pouring water on the hot rock caused it to emit steam, though the claim awaits formal laboratory testing by geological authorities. — Photo courtesy of J. Paul Satur/Facebook

A local resident in Palawan is seeking scientific verification for a small, heated object he discovered outside his residence last 26 September, which he suspects could be of extraterrestrial origin.

J Paul Satur, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, reported finding the object at approximately 12:56 a.m. as he stepped outside his home. Satur disclosed that the rock was too hot to touch, prompting him to pour water over it, which produced steam.

Satur remains in possession of the object while conducting preliminary online research regarding meteorite characteristics.

While expressing optimism about the discovery, he acknowledged remaining skeptical pending formal laboratory examination by geologists.

Finding space rocks in the Philippines remains exceptionally rare due to the country’s dense tropical vegetation and terrain. The Meteoritical Society currently recognizes only seven officially confirmed meteorites recovered nationwide.

The National Museum of the Philippines showcases several of these specimens in its permanent exhibitions, including the “Bulalato: Fragments from Space” display.

Museum researchers from the Geology and Paleontology Division also documented the country’s first urban micrometeorite, designated PHMM 001, recovered from rooftop sediment in Mariveles, Bataan.

Local authorities and geological researchers have not yet subjected the Palawan object to chemical or magnetic analysis to confirm whether it constitutes an authentic meteorite or terrestrial material.