I wasn't even asking for it but I gues I was at the right spot and at the right time when I took this shot.
We were in Donsol last week chasing whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) locally known as "butanding" considered to be the largest fish in the world. They are migratory in nature and they travel across the vast oceans, usually those that are near the equator. According to the locals, butanding visits the waters of Donsol from November to May.
So anyway, we had at least three attempts following this huge creature everywhere, jumping in groups following every sighting like some balistic morons. Each one wanting to get a closer look. I was lucky to see it upclose on our second jump. Boy it's really huge! I got scared for awhile. It's like a huge submarine passing through me with all its white dots.
On the fourth attempt, I decided to stay at the boat and take photos of the people following the butanding and found myself looking at this couple kissing. We met them from the airport in Manila to Legazpi and met them again in Donsol. We never talked but their faces had gotten so familiar that I recognized them immediately. They must have been so happy to see the butanding that they opted to kiss. A sweet thing to do, really.
I witnessed the same scene when I was visiting the temples of Cambodia. A couple kissing on top of the Neak Pean Temple in Siem Reap. Again, I was at the right spot and at the right time.
--------
Just to give you an idea what the butanding looks like and how huge it is:
courtesy of www.student.britanica.com
-------
[Postscript:]
I rarely advertise, unless I genuinely believe in their works so allow me to make this one. Be sure to come and visit Ferdz' First Photo Exhibit at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati City. Opening night is on Monday (May 12) and will run until May 27, 2008 (Tuesday). For more info, please visit Ferdz' blog. ;-) Funny, but I been getting the same invitation from Filipinas Heritage Library. Kulang na lang sabihin ko, oo...alam ko na 'to! haha.
