The Department of Tourism has crossed out swimming with the “butanding” (whale shark) from the itinerary of Miss Universe candidates due to outcry from wildlife conservation groups. The candidates, ...

The regulations said there should be at most six tourists to a whale shark, but it was more like six boats full of tourists per butanding as humans swarmed the whale shark watching area. Photos: ...

CEBU, Philippines - Animals are also suffering because of the El Niño phenomenon, and those in the sea are not spared, with the whale sharks, locally called Butanding, in Oslob, Cebu becoming fewer.

Adventures and feasts await the Miss Universe 2016 candidates who will be touring the Philippines ahead of the pageant next year. Miss Australia, Miss China, Miss Indonesia, Miss Japan, Miss Korea, ...