A blue whale is spotted in Inopacan

Screen grabbed from Facebook video posted by Yamel Jay Baleroso (click his name to watch the video). 

PYGMY BLUE WHALE was seen approaching Inopacan. A pygmy blue whale was spotted around 7am on August 16, 2025 (Saturday) in the sea near Brgy. Conalum, Inopacan, Leyte.

In general terms, the whale is called AMBUHOTAN in Bisaya or Binisaya (Boholano and Cebuano). Balyena in Tagalog. Whale in English.

For us Inopacnons, ambuhotan is the name for all whales that are seen in our seas. Ambuhotan, from the word “buhot”, which means strong blowing of breath or air. Ambuhotan is the name for the whale because it emits a spout of mist from water and air that is blown out through the blowhole on top of its head. That buhot is not purely water; the fact is that it is mostly air. This is the breath expelled from the lungs of the ambuhotan.

Photo grabbed from the website of GRID Magazine 

Based on the observed size, stubby dorsal fin on the back, large flippers on the side, ridge on the back, and smoothness of movement, it seems this is BUGHAW, the pygmy blue whale that was seen by marine experts in the waters of Cebu, Bohol, and Leyte areas.

This is not a butanding or dugong, which is called "whale shark" in English. The whale shark does not spout breath.

This is also different from the pilot dolphin, another kind of ambuhotan, which swims swiftly and has a tall dorsal fin on its back.

Save this pygmy blue whale. Do not disturb it. It is an endangered marine species.