Moalboal

Moalboal: The Resident Storm

Moalboal is home to one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the ocean, and it happens just 20 meters from the shore. At Panagsama Beach in Cebu, a resident school of millions of sardines congregates year-round along the reef drop-off. Unlike the famous South African migration that you have to chase, this is a permanent, living wall of fish that moves in perfect unison. Swimming into the middle of it feels like entering a living cave; the fish part to let you through and then close instantly behind you, often blocking out the sun completely.

Why We Chose This Sticker Design

The challenge with Moalboal is capturing the sheer scale of the school. We illustrated the sardines not as individual fish, but as a massive, swirling dark mass that dominates the water column, replicating the "tornado" shape they often form. To give a true sense of perspective, we included two divers in silhouette at the bottom, completely dwarfed by the millions of fish hovering above them. The deep blue background and light rays emphasize the depth and the atmospheric way the school filters the sunlight.