DAVAO CITY – Under the soaring dome of SM City Davao’s Annex Event Area, feathers and hope intermingled as various sectors came together to celebrate the 27th Philippine Eagle Week, anchored on the theme of collective stewardship and cultural reverence. At the heart of this year’s commemoration is a message as powerful as the bird itself: saving the critically endangered Philippine Eagle is a shared duty, rooted deeply in Indigenous wisdom and unity.
Spearheaded by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) in partnership with DENR Region XI, and supported by the UNDP-GEF Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor Project (EMBC), the celebration drew together a diverse circle of environmental advocates—government officials, scientists, private partners, and most notably, representatives from Indigenous communities.
The Eagle as “Pusaka”
For the Indigenous Peoples (IPs), the Philippine Eagle is more than a national icon—it is “Pusaka,” a sacred term that signifies something of immense cultural, spiritual, and environmental value. This cultural philosophy reflects how the eagle is enshrined in their way of life—a guardian of ancestral domains and a living symbol of ecological balance.
“The IPs are not just participants in conservation,” emphasized Franklyn Buenaflor, Chief of DENR XI’s Conservation and Development Division. “They are the frontliners, the true stewards of biodiversity. Our efforts will only be impactful when the government, private sector, and Indigenous communities work in synergy.”
An Urgent Call for Recommitment
With fewer than 400 pairs of Philippine Eagles remaining in the wild, the urgency to act has never been more critical. Dr. Jayson Ibanez, PEF’s Director for Operations, urged a recommitment to the conservation of this emblematic species.
“The Philippine Eagle is a living legacy and a mirror of our forests. Its survival is deeply tied to the survival of the forests, and by extension, the communities who live within and protect them,” Ibanez shared.
These forests are not just nesting grounds—they are homes to Indigenous groups who, for generations, have protected these lands through a deep-rooted connection to nature.
Forging Networks of Guardians
Representing the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau, Wildlife Chief Mirasol Ocampo reinforced the call to build a “network of guardians”—citizens, organizations, and communities bound by the shared mission of environmental protection. “The Philippine Eagle’s forest home is also home to our Indigenous and rural communities. Protecting one means protecting all,” she said.
Beyond Awareness, Toward Action
While the week-long celebration offered exhibits, cultural performances, and knowledge-sharing activities, organizers stressed that awareness is only the first step. The greater challenge is to transform that awareness into sustained action.
“Celebrating the Philippine Eagle is not just about admiration—it’s about taking accountability. From this platform, we aim to ignite future actions and long-term collaborations,” Buenaflor said.
A Message with Wings
As this year’s Philippine Eagle Week drew to a close, the message left behind was not just about a majestic bird fighting extinction—it was about a country rallying behind its symbol of hope, resilience, and unity.
The eagle may soar alone in the skies, but on the ground, its survival depends on all of us—especially those who have long treated it not as a symbol, but as family.
Indeed, in every beat of the eagle’s wings echoes the call: protect the forests, honor Indigenous knowledge, and safeguard life—both human and wild.