As dusk falls over the town of Pintuyan in Southern Leyte, small boats embark on a solemn pilgrimage out to sea. This is the time when residents engage in a communal livelihood: catching pygmy squid, locally known as “buko-buko.” Using nylon fishing lines with hooks, they capture the small, bioluminescent squids. The catch is either sold at the nearby night market along the town’s boulevard or brought home for family consumption.
Community-Based Tourism Initiative
Upon invitation from the local government, led by Mayor Ricarte A. Estrella and tourism consultant Boboi Costas, a group of writers, content creators, photographers, and creatives from Cebu and Manila recently visited Pintuyan to document the town's community-based tourism initiatives. During their first dinner, they were introduced to “buko-buko” served three ways: grilled, kinilaw, and adobo-style. One companion, who ate it raw fresh from the sea, described it as having a sweet taste.
Pintuyan: A Rising Destination
Pintuyan, one of four municipalities on Panaon Island in Southern Leyte, is home to about 11,000 residents who primarily rely on fishing and coconut farming. The town is gradually gaining recognition as a destination for thrill-seekers seeking an ethical whale shark encounter. Locally called “tiki-tiki,” whale sharks are not fed krill to coax them out; instead, visitors wait patiently for the gentle giants to emerge naturally, promoting a gentler, unhurried, and ethical interaction with these marine creatures.
