MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A tourism official says a Filipino fisherman in western Palawan island has found possibly the world’s biggest pearl, which he had hidden under a bed for 10 years as a lucky charm.
Aileen Amurao, Puerto Princesa city’s tourism officer and the fisherman’s relative, said Aug. 25 the man gave her the 75-pound pearl that’s 2.2 feet long and 1 foot wide for safekeeping. She says she was shocked to learn from the internet that it could be the world’s biggest.
The fisherman, his father and brothers found the irregular-shaped pearl inside a giant clam that stuck to their boat’s anchor when they sought refuge from a squall.
The pearl is displayed in the city hall, and the fisherman will receive a reward from the local government.