A whale shark character for an Ateneo student org

April 25, 2024

Meet William the Whale Shark!

Students at AteneoBOx asked for my own rendition of their mascot, an adorable whale shark that wears glasses and features a bright, attractive color palette. I added a “neck tie” which also happens to be a pink remora fish (pink remoras don’t exist, but in my mind).

They also wanted whaleshark puns, since I am in fact renowned in three barangays in the Philippines, and 1.5 shires here in the UK, as a Tito Joke Bloke (TJB). So I created two whale puns for them that they can include in printable greeting cards. They can give them to fellow whale shark lovers, or even print them to raise funds for their advocacies.

Time with you is always worthWHALE pun for AteneoBOx - William the Whale Shark - web

The first whale pun features William the Whale Shark hugging a remora. Remoras are a familiar presence on large marine species like whale sharks because they hitch rides on them. They stick to their hosts with a specialized dorsal fin that has evolved into a suction pad! Since whale sharks and remoras are always together in the sea in real life, why can’t they be friends in my art?

The last whale shark pun is a hint on how beautiful whale sharks are, despite not having clothes. I used the word “porpoise” here for the pun, which is a species known for their small, dolphin-like size and appearance. Since there have been no porpoises in the Philippines recorded yet, I portrayed an Irrawaddy dolphin instead, since they look so similar.

WHALEdressed pun for AteneoBOx - William the Whale Shark - web

This April AteneoBOx worked with a Bantay Dagat community in Calatagan, Batangas, and gave children activity kits that included free printables I made at Philippine Wildlife Art. I’m happy I can still make people smile (or cringe) from abroad, but I do miss being there in person.