Is Manila Bay healing after turning turquoise? Not exactly, say authorities

Manila Bay became a trending topic on Twitter on Thursday after a video showing its surprisingly turquoise waters spread on social media.

Taken by Manuelito Zape Bajao from a building in Pasay City, the video quickly went viral as people took the bluish color as a sign that the Manila Bay is healing due to the enhanced community quarantine.

But according to Chino Gaston's report in "24 Oras," the change in color could actually be a sign of more pollution.

"Base dun sa mga previous reports pa ng Marine Environmental Protection Command, nag-di-discolor 'yung tubig, nagkakaroon ng discoloration minsan, pagka merong pollutants," said Commodore Arman Balilo of the Philippine Coast Guard.

For example, the water may have changed in color due to the chlorine in pool water discharged in Manila Bay.

On Thursday, the waters along Roxas Boulevard showed a blackish and muddy color. The area behind the Cultural Center of the Philippines, meanwhile, was split between a bluish tint and moss green.

However, fish and birds can already be seen in Manila Bay.

With the improving air quality of Metro Manila the past few days, a portion of the Sierra Madre mountain range can be seen clearly from Pasig City.

The Mt. Samat National Shrine all the way in Bataan across Manila Bay can also be seen from the GMA Network building in Quezon City. --MGP, GMA News