Iwahig Firefly Watching

IWAHIG FIREFLY WATCHING

This was an impromptu decision. When we learned that a buffet dinner is included in this tour, booked na agad-agad! Haha

The rate is originally P1,200 per head. Buffet dinner included. But because of my "charm" and haggling skills, they give in to P1,000 per head.

After the city tour, we proceeded to Iwahig for the firefly watching naman. The road to Iwahig is bumpy and no lamp posts that lit up the way. The trip is creepy but our guide assured us that it is safe in Puerto Princesa. As the driver/guide earlier mentioned, the government is strict in implementing their laws and the people are good followers. One proof daw is the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm. Dito daw dinadala ang mga prisoners na hindi na kayang iacommodate ng Bilibid Prison of Manila. But the penal farm do not have fence or kahit anong harang. Pero walang tumatakas. Simply because the government created a system wherein the prisoners can choose the vocational activity they want and at the time of their release, they will receive the amount of money they have credited in their favor.

The trip was approximately 45 minutes before we reached the Iwahig river.

Upon arrival, we were asked to list down our names in their logbook and was given a number for line up. Since medyo matagal pa kami, we had our dinner first which was included in the tour.

This is their restaurant where the buffet dinner is served. But don't expect too much gaya ng nangyari sa amin. This is not a buffet dinner like Manila offers. Mga simple lang ang food nila. Kaya we were a bit disappointed pero keri lang. Nabusog din naman kami kahit papaano. Hehe

We were called after almost an hour of waiting. We were told to wear our life vests na.

Since the boat can acommodate three passengers only, Jorge, Shey and Rey rode first. After I think 10 minutes. dumating na ang isa pang boat na sasakyan namin.

Our boatman/guide started the tour with the history of the firefly watching. Iwahig Firefly Watching was first initiated by ABC-CBN Foundation, which was later became a joint project with the city government of Puerto Princesa. Nakakatuwang tingnan ang group ng fireflies na sabay-sabay umiilaw after the command of the boatman, using his flashlight. This is their defense mechanism daw. They want to show their "kalaban" that they are also as big as them kaya they light up their lights ng sabay-sabay. At pag maraming fireflies, that is an indicator that a certain area has good supply of oxygen especially in this mangroves which are well taken cared of.

Picture taken from Google

Hindi ganyan karaming fireflies ang nakita namin. Ibig sabihin, konti pa pala yun. We were informed by our boatman of the lifecycle of the fireflies, their diet, and their preferred temperature. They also gave us lectures on the different constellations. Ang galing nila! They are 4in1. They are our boatman slash biologist slash chemist slash astronomer. We are mentioning a lot of constellations already and he keeps on pointing it in the sky. If not present, alam nila kung kailan lalabas. What made me more interested is the LED beam laser pointer that the boatman use in pointing the constellations. The lights reaches the sky!

The boatman also showed us planktons. You know in the spongebob movie? Yun na yun! Haha
Presence of planktons is also an indication that the mangroves and water is healthy. They glowed in the water when moved. The boatman gave us a stick to activate their glowing capacity.

The tour lasts for more or less 30minutes. And in that 30minutes, I have learned a lot. Kudos to these boatmen!

Iwahig's printed picture

After the activity, we proceeded to Angelique's Mansion na to rest.