This is the moment a large waterspout tornado approached a beach in the Philippines.

Resident Rodolfo Chavez recorded the funnel-shaped cloud that appeared in the ocean off the coast of Bacolod City on May 19. The cloud can be seen stretched out over a wide area and curling around before touching the water.

This is the moment a large waterspout tornado approached a beach in the Philippines.

Resident Rodolfo Chavez recorded the funnel-shaped cloud that appeared in the ocean off the coast of Bacolod City on May 19.

Waterspouts are intense columns of swirling tornado clouds that form over a body of water. They are most commonly found in subtropical areas and disappear shortly after they come into contact with land.

Scientists believe they are formed when pockets of warm air near the water surface rise suddenly. Cooler air is then sucked into the low pressure air, which picks up water and rises towards the clouds in a rotating motion.