Many people associate Bataan, a province in Central Luzon, with the infamous Death March of World War II. My first visit to Bataan was during my fourth year of high school. My classmates and I traveled there to film a documentary. Last year, I returned for our company’s team-building event in Morong, Bataan. Despite these two visits, my knowledge of the province was limited to its historical significance. It wasn’t until I learned about the conservation efforts for pawikan hatchlings that I truly appreciated the other unique aspects of Bataan.
When I received an invitation to attend the Pawikan Festival from the Bataan Tourism Office, I was absolutely thrilled. Watching pawikan hatchlings make their way to the ocean had been on my bucket list for a long time. This was absolutely the perfect opportunity to finally witness it in person. I had no idea that Bataan was home to the Pawikan Conservation Center in Morong, which plays a vital role in protecting and preserving these incredible sea turtles.
For a deeper dive into Bataan’s rich culture and history, don’t miss the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Tour. It’s a perfect way to explore beautifully restored Spanish-Filipino architecture while immersing yourself in the province’s fascinating past.
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Pawikan Consevation Center in Morong, Bataan
Our group arrived in Morong, Bataan, on a Saturday night. After checking into our assigned accommodation, we headed straight to the Pawikan Conservation Center to join a night patrol in search of nesting mother pawikans. During these patrols, eggs are collected and carefully transferred to the hatchery for protection. The photo below shows an egg chamber constructed by a mother sea turtle. Interestingly, the eggs looked like ping pong balls, don’t they?
Unfortunately, we were too late to witness the actual egg-laying. According to the locals, the second pawikan abandoned her nesting attempt due to stress. One of the volunteers explained that pawikans choose a dry part of the beach to nest, far from potential predators. However, while preparing to lay their eggs, they must not be disturbed, or they might abort the process and return to the ocean. Once they start laying eggs, though, they enter a trance-like state, making it possible for people to quietly observe without causing harm.
Bantay Pawikan
After the night patrol, we met members of Bantay Pawikan Inc., a group of reformed sea turtle poachers. We also attended educational talks by environmental experts who highlighted ongoing efforts to protect the highly endangered pawikans from threats like illegal fishing and poaching. I learned that the Pawikan Festival aims to raise public awareness about marine turtle conservation in Morong, Bataan.
The Hatchery for Pawikan Hatchlings
The next morning, we went back to the Pawikan Conservation Center to finally witness the releasing of baby sea turtles into the ocean. But before that, we got to meet Ms. Danica Tigas and Ms. Leslie Jorge of Bataan Tourism Office. I learned so much from these two nice ladies!
Ms. Leslie and Ms. Danica told us a lot of interesting facts about sea turtles. My favorite was the Natal Homing (or Imprinting), the ability of sea turtles to return to nest in the same geographic area where they were born. Depending on the species of sea turtle, it can take 15 to 30 years to reach maturity and for female Pawikans to be mothers. So, imagine if they come back and their birthplace is already gone? That’s depressing, right?
Pawikan Hatchings Releasing
Finally seeing the sea turtle hatchlings make their way to the ocean was awesome! My words are not enough to describe it. I pray that each one of them will survive to adulthood and go back to Morong, Bataan to lay eggs.
The Pawikan hatchings season starts every November until February. So plan your trip now and don’t miss this awesome event. For more information, you can contact the Bataan Tourism Office.
Pawikan Festival in Morong, Bataan
After the pawikan hatchlings releasing, we also got to witness the Annual Street Dance Competition participated by each town in the province of Bataan.
Bataan Tourism Office
Address: Roman Super Highway, City of Balanga, Bataan, Philippines
Telephone Number: (047) 237 4785
Email Address: [email protected]
Twitter: @1Bataan
Instagram: @BeholdBataan and @1Bataan
Facebook: @bataan.tourism
Official Website: http://www.bataan.gov.ph/tourism
Special thanks to Bataan Provincial Tourism for making this trip possible and for helping me check off another item in my bucket list!
