1967 Mass Sperm Whale Stranding in the Philippines

1967, May 7. Philippines, Negros Occidental, Cadiz City. A split mass stranding of 12 Cachalots (Sperm whales). The group of whales, one measuring 40ft long and 8ft. in height stranded in two groups, five days apart. Thus, the birth of the term Dinagsab, from a Hiligaynon word dagsa, which means to “gather”, “come together”, “driftage” or “to come in groups”, was made. The event gave Cadiz City the title City of Whales, the official seal of the City, and the former Ati Atihan Festival to be known as Dinagsa Festival in 2002. Cadiz locals viewed this event as a positive sign of fortune and prosperity from above.