Baclayon Church and Prony’s Sanctum are both situated in Albuquerque, Bohol. So, after a quick visit to Baclayon Church, our driver led us to Albur’s star Prony, the largest and longest python in captivity.

Getting to know Prony

Prony was named after her captor, Sofronio Salibay. Prony is a female and was captured on October 21, 1996 in a local cemetery in Albur (also known as Albuquerque) at approximately 5 meters and 5 kilograms back then. To date, Prony is now 23 feet (7 meters) long and 300 kilograms with 30 inches body circumference which is freaking bigger than my tummy. She is growing every year.

Albur’s star Prony was previously being fed with cats and dogs and feeding is done during full moon. A film captured by GMA 7 feeding Prony with cats and dogs caught other media’s attention which, according to Animal Kingdom Federation, was illegal. Currently, Prony is being fed with pigs and goats once every month.

Interestingly, according to the Prony sanctum’s tour guide Marimar, she only eats white animals; does not eat dark-colored pigs or goats. No wonder why other dark-colored animals who share cage with her are still alive. Yes, Prony has cage mates namely Agua and Bendita (the Philippine eagles) and Miley Cyrus (the monkey).

According to Marimar, Prony was examined and diagnosed as abnormal (by its size) by a snake expert.

Up close and personal

Being the most excited in the group, I entered the cage first. Having the thought of being gnawed, I walked towards her very slowly. I did not want to touch her until Marimar assured us that Prony never gnawed someone in the past.

After a close interaction with Prony, Marimar performed an entertaining farewell concert for us and she did really look like Michael V. more!

She sang two songs, I can’t remember the title but it was lip sync very well.

A souvenir shop is also situated outside the home of Prony.