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‘Haring Ibon’: Alain Pascua and the drive to save our majestic national bird
One of the ultimate dreams of yours truly is to be a book author. It’s actually a simple dream that requires as much creativity and wordsmith as subject research and ample time and preparation. I have always targeted a fictional novel as my life’s masterpiece, but Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines, Inc. (WBPP) co-founder and Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary for Administration Alain Pascua gave me an alternative path on becoming a proper book author.
Pascua, together with officers and members of the WBPP, on Thursday unveiled the coffee table book “Haring Ibon: The Great Philippine Eagle” (P3,500) at the Old Senate Session Hall of the Fine Arts Building of the National Museum. The 230-plus page book is the first of its kind in the world in which the majestic and critically endangered Pithecophaga jefferyi, our national bird, is featured on both stunning images and powerful words from cover to cover.
Part one of “Haring Ibon” mainly chronicles a wild Philippine Eagle named Sinabadan (which means “unity” in Bagobo Tagabawan dialect and is also the name of the tribe that owns the ancestral domain at the foot of Mt. Apo in Davao City). The WBPP documented, through their lenses, the discovery of a nest and an unhatched egg hosted by a red lauan tree at the base of Mt. Apo.
From day minus-ten (ten days before hatching) to Sinabadan’s fledge, or first flight, the group not only shot solo images of this endangered top predator in different conditions and scenarios but were also fortunate enough to capture the now four-year-old female eagle with her parents; a family picture of some sorts.
Supplementary photos include Philippine Eagles (Biasong, Avida, Ariela, and others) who are being nursed and kept at the Philippine Eagle Center (entrance fee P150).
The second part of the book tackles the group's behind-the-scenes stories, adventures, and challenges while photographing Sinabadan. Aside from a looming threat of insurgency in Mindanao, Pascua and WBPP trustee Carlo Gomez—who is also Puerto Princesa City Environment Officer—said that they had to get the permission and blessing of the indigenous Sinabadan tribe led by its chief Datu Herman Ambe.
Datu Ambe, who was also at the book launching, said that he and his tribe weren’t necessarily against eco-tourism or were trying to get in the way of the WBPP. Instead, they were trying to instill their principle that people are not separate from the environment, and that man and the nature can co-exist. It’s Datu Ambe’s way of reminding Filipinos to be responsible tourists wherever they may go.
The book's foreword was written by Ramon Magasaysay awardee, 2014 National Scientist Awardee, and former Department of Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Dr. Angel C. Alcala, a staunch eco-warrior.
Proceeds of the first print (1,000 copies) benefits two major groups who can help in the conversation of the mighty Philippine Eagle: one, buyers of the book can choose an elementary or high school of their choice that will be given instructional materials about and life-sized posters of the Philippine Eagle. This will help disseminate critical information to the youth of today the dangers faced by the national bird, in particular the destruction of its natural habitat.
Two, it provides the WBPP funds to promote and market the first-class quality coffee of the Sinabadayan tribe, a treat that WBPP members have greatly enjoyed on their numerous expeditions to the area. — BM, GMA News
For more information or inquiries on "Haring Ibon: The Great Philippine Eagle," visit www.haringibon.com or contact Alain Pascua at alainpascua@haringibon.com.
