Philippine Eagle Girlie gets senior citizen, PWD card from QC gov't

Girlie, the oldest known Philippine Eagle in captivity, was awarded a senior citizen and persons with disability (PWD) card by the Quezon City government as a symbolic tribute and to highlight Philippine Eagle conservation.

According to Kuya Kim Atienza's report on "24 Oras" Friday, the recognition was given during the celebration of this year's Philippine Eagle Week at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (NAPWC) in Quezon City.

Girlie has been living at NAPWC since 2009 after being transferred from the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) in Davao.

Kuya Kim explained that a wounded Girlie was rescued in 1982 in the forests of Talakag, Bukidnon, after sustaining injuries that left her permanently blind in her right eye.

Experts determined that Girlie would have a hard time surviving in the wild, so they turned her over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and eventually the PEC in Davao for care and rehabilitation.

For nearly 20 years, Girlie has been the only Philippine Eagle that can be found in Metro Manila, serving as NAPWC's poster bird and ambassador for Philippine Eagle conservation, per Kuya Kim.

"Her cage ngayon simulates more or less 'yung natural setting. She's thriving here. Girlie has regular check-up, we have a regular caretaker nag-o-observe sa kaniyang behavior, health status, pagpapakain," shared DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) Wildlife Resources Division Chief Anson Tagtag.

Girlie is estimated to be around 45 to 46 years old this 2026 and is considered the oldest known Philippine Eagle in captivity.

The awarding of Girlie's senior citizen and PWD card was led by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. It was intended to highlight the importance of inclusivity in conservation efforts, per Tagtag.

"We're trying to promote inclusivity in the conservation of our natural resources. Ginamit natin itong situation ni Girlie ngayon to highlight that need for collective and inclusive action," said Tagtag.

Kuya Kim and his wife, Philippine Eagle Foundation Chairperson Felicia Hung Atienza, also attended the Philippine Eagle Week celebration at NASPWC.

"The conservation belongs to everyone. It cannot remain only in the laboratories, it must be felt in classrooms, in communities, and in the hearts of the ordinary people," Hung said.

During the event, Kuya Kim also shared some trivia about the Philippine Eagle, such as its former name, the monkey-eating eagle. He added that Philippine Eagles are monogamous and only have one mate for life.

Kuya Kim likewise highlighted another milestone in Girlie's life. He recalled the story of Tsai, a Philippine Eagle discovered in Taiwan in the 1980s. After being rehabilitated, Tsai was brought to the PEC in Davao and introduced to Girlie as part of conservation breeding efforts.

Following a long courtship, the two became a breeding pair. This marked a historic achievement for the species as they became the first naturally paired Philippine Eagles in captivity to produce a fertile egg.

Per Kuya Kim, while none of their offspring survived, this milestone is still considered a breakthrough in Philippine Eagle conservation. —CDC, GMA News