Compiled by Mike Lu
OCTOBER 2024
October 6, 2024 – Monthly guided trip to Tagalag Eco Park, Valenzuela City
The guided trip for the month was held at the Tagalag Eco Park with 22 participants. Resident bird species like the Purple Swamphen and Pink-necked Green Pigeons were seen well by the first-time participants. The guides pointed out the early migrants – the Brown Shrike and Whiskered Terns while explaining that more species will be recorded next month. The guided trip was led by Mike Lu, Nick Champleon, and Melvin Yap.
October 8-12, 2024 – Photo Exhibit at Fisher Mall, Quezon City
The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines participated in the More than a Maya 2024: Meet the Birds of the Philippines, a brainchild of WBCP member Moleen del Rosario to create public awareness to the bird diversity in the Philippines. WBCP VP Cristina Cinco took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony and delivered the opening speech to introduce birdwatching and birds of the Philippines.
The WBCP also mounted a photo exhibit of Philippine endemic birds featuring the works of 11 birders, namely Justine Albao, Gelo Arboleda, Janine Castro, Enrico Legaspi, Mike Lu, Dindo Malonzo, Caleb Ong, Vinz Pascua, Djop Tabaranza, Maia Tanedo, and Peter Ting. Other artists, including WBCP member Gabbi Reyes, exhibited artworks that featured the diversity of birdlife found in the Philippines.
October 12 & 19, 2024 – Guided trip for UP Mountaineer applicants in the University of the Philippines, Quezon City
The UP Mountaineers invited the WBCP, over two weekends, to conduct birdwatching activities for the applicants to their organization. The activity was included in the application program as a means to instill awareness and respect to the native flora and fauna that the participants will encounter once they become mountaineers.
The birdwatching activity introduces the birdlife found in the University of the Philippines campus. WBCP members Anthony Arbias, Rodec de la Cruz, Gwen So, Dindo Malonzo and Jops Josef amongst others took turns in leading the guided trip. On the second weekend, much to the surprise of the participants, Miss Earth-Wales Grace Gavigan, joined the mountaineer-applicants on guided birdwatching trip.
October 12, 2024 – Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan Awards at the University of the Philippines, Quezon City
The WBCP was an organizational awardee during the 8th Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan awards held October 12,2024 at the IKG Theater at the University of Philippines-Diliman. The event was organized by the Center for Environmental Concerns- a non-governmental organization that supports programs for the protection of the environment in the Philippines and engages in information sharing in the international community regarding initiatives in common environmental issues. There were 3 awardees in the organizational category chosen among 8 nominees. Cristina Cinco and Maia Tanedo represented the WBCP in accepting this recognition. Our organization won the award due to our advocacy in promoting the conservation and preservation of nature through birdwatching while creating awareness among the public. Credited to our organization was the association with both local and foreign conservation groups. Among the notable achievement of the WBCP is the data management of its records.
October 13, 2024 – Guided trip for the Youth Committee of the Philippine Hardware Foundation at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park
Twenty members and advisers of the Youth Committee of the Philippine Hardware Foundation joined a guided birdwatching trip at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park led by Mike Lu and Ruben Bala. The activity started with an orientation at the Wetland Center before the actual birdwatching session. Members of the group had good views of the Collared Kingfisher, Black-crowned Night Heron and Little Egret at the Wetland Center. Later on, the group also hiked through the beach forest to the mangrove boardwalk.
October 19-20, 2024 – 26th Taipei International Birdwatching Fair at Guandu Nature Park, Taipei City, Taiwan
Joining the long-running Taipei International Birdwatching Fair on its 26th edition were WBCP members Anna Gonzales, Diuvs de Jesus, Ruben Bala. The WBCP booth was joined by two other booths, the Asian Bird Fair – Las Pinas manned by Mike Lu and Haring Ibon manned by Djop Tabaranza. The theme this year was “Neigh-bird-hood” to highlight the birds found in urban areas. Designed by Vinz Pascua, the WBCP highlighted 6 bird species found in the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park which will also be the iconic birds for the 13th Asian Bird Fair to be held in Las Piñas next month.
The WBCP had joined all the Taipei Bird Fairs since 2005 to promote birdwatching in the Philippines, to establish contacts with other NGOs in Taiwan and other parts of Asia and also to learn from the best practices, specially the educational component of the Taipei Bird Fair.
October 27, 2024 – Guided trip for Living Learning Homeschoolers at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park
A guided trip was organized for Living Learning Homeschoolers – Natural History Club at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park. Led by Mike Lu who gave a short orientation, the group started birdwatching at the Wetland Center with some kids sketching and writing notes on their journals. The group also hiked the beach rest trail to reach the boardwalk in the mangrove forest. Afterwards, the group gathered at the Wetland Center for snacks and for storytelling time led by one of the parents.
October 31, 2024 – Radyo Veritas interview for the 8th Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan awardees
All the awardees for the 8 th Gawad Bayani Kalikasan were invited to the radio program of Ms. Lou Arsenio for Radyo Veritas . Ms. Arsenio was a member of the board of judges for the 8th Gawad ng Bayani ng Kalikasan awards. As a proponent for the Ecology Ministry of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, Ms. Arsenio hosts a program that highlights the principles of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si. The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines was represented by Vice President Cristina Cinco as one of the Gawad ng Organisasyon and gave a brief talk about birdwatching, including the club’s nature oriented advocacies.
NOVEMBER 2024
November 3, 2024 – Coastal Clean-Up with R.O.X. at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park
The Primer Group of Companies, led by R.O.X., conducted a coastal clean-up for its employees at the Wetland Center of the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park. After the clean-up activity, WBCP representatives Mike Lu, Maia Tanedo, and Djop Tabaranza conducted a basic birdwatching session and a nature walk to the mangrove boardwalk on Freedom Island. The Primer Group of Companies is a long-time supporter of the WBCP and is one of the sponsors of the 13th Asian Bird Fair.
November 7, 2024 – Bayanihan sa Karagatan – Isang dekada ng Oceana sa Pilipinas at Seda Vertis North, Quezon City
As partners in environmental causes, Oceana Philippines invited the WBCP to their 10th Anniversary Celebration of Bayanihan sa Karagatan last November 7, 2024. The event emphasized the role of Oceana’s achievements with regarding the country’s seas, coastal community with the continued campaign for its
protection and conservation. The 10th anniversary celebration was led by Oceana Philippines Vice President Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos at Seda Hotel in Quezon City. WBCP Vice President Cristina Cinco and Secretary Maia Tanedo represented the WBCP. Diuvs de Jesus of Oceana and WBCP member was also present.
November 20-24, 2024 – 13th Asian Bird Fair – Las Piñas at The Tent, Las Piñas City
The Asian Bird Fair returned to the Philippines on its 13th edition with host city, Las Piñas on November 21-23, 2024. Over 70 exhibitors representing conservation NGOs, ecotour companies, optics companies, and sponsors from 20 countries and different parts of the country participated in the 3-day event.
On the eve of the ABF, the delegates were treated to a Welcome Dinner at the Villar SIPAG Hall. The guest-of-honor was Senator Cynthia Villar who extended a warm welcome to the ABF delegates. The main program was the exchange of tokens between the host and delegates who dressed up in traditional attire.
The theme of the ABF, “Wetlands we treasure for the future” highlighted the ecological importance of Manila Bay and the lectures and forums focused on this theme. In the evening, delegates were treated to a Cultural Dinner at Barbara’s Restaurant in Intramuros sponsored by the Tourism Promotions Board.
The lectures and forums on the second day focused on birdwatching as a significant ecotourism activity with ecotourism practitioners amongst the delegates as resource speakers. The Wild Bird Association of Taiwan hosted the evening’s dinner to launch the 1st World Bird Fair to be held in the City of Taichung (Taiwan) in September 2025.
The third day begun with an impromptu bird race at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park participated by 30 birders while the rest of the delegates explored the wetland park on their own. In the afternoon, a cultural tour brought delegates to the Casa Manila and San Agustin Church in Intramuros. The Turnover Dinner was tendered by the City of Seosan (Korea) as the host city for 2025. A 4-man cultural dance troupe was the highlight of the event followed by an auction-raffle.
Several delegates arrived earlier or stayed after the ABF to travel to different destinations in Luzon, Palawan and Mindanao to see the country’s many endemic bird species.
November 28, 2024 – Guided trip for Makati City Hall employees at Tagalag Eco Park, Valenzuela City
Woodfields Consultants had been working with the Makati LGU in identifying flora and fauna found in Makati City with the end result of trying to increase the biodiversity index of the city. Woodfields Consultants got in touch with the WBCP to conduct a guided birdwatching trip in an urban setting and both parties agreed to hold the acitivity at the Tagalag Eco Park in Valenzuela City. It was a fine day and the participants enjoyed good views of the resident species such as the Yellow Bittern, Purple Heron, Common Moorhen, amongst other bird species.
DECEMBER 2024
December 7, 2024 – Guided trip for Philippine Science High School alumni at Philippine Science High School, Quezon City
A Collared Kingfisher and Black-naped Oriole were just two of the many wild birds seen and heard by participants of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Main Campus Batch 2000’s guided birdwatching and fundraising event. The group of 12 participants was led by volunteers from WBCP, PSHS alumni Karen Ochavo, and Dindo Malonzo, and PSHS faculty Jon Javier. By the end of the walk around the campus in Quezon City, the group listed a total of 21 species of birds and convened for a short sharing of highlights over light refreshments.
December 8, 2024 – Guided trip at Tagalag Eco Park, Valenzuela City
The last public guided birdwatching trip of the year was probably the most productive with over 30 species of birds seen. Led by Mike Lu, Anthony Arbias, Chee-ann Guzman at the Tagalag Eco Park. The morning started with flybys of Purple Herons and Wandering Whistling Ducks, aside from the resident birds, migratory birds such as Common Kingfisher and Black-Headed Gull were also seen. DOSTv, the official weather and science channel of the Department of Science and Technology interviewed WBCP member Karl James Gavero as the #NextGenBirdwatcher for their show Expertalk along with WBCP President Mike Lu. The episode was shown before the year end on December 28
December 10, 2024 – DENR-NCR Partners Forum at Sotogrande Hotel, Quezon City
Execom members VP Cristina Cinco and Secretary Maia Tanedo represented the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines in receiving the recognition award during the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-NCR Partners Forum named “GREENSHIPS: From Moments to Movements” in celebration of the country’s National Volunteer Month-defining the role of volunteerism in nation-building in creating public awareness, voluntary action, and the recognizing the efforts of its partners while facing the environmental challenges in urban development. This was the third recognition accorded the WBCP in 2024 and would not have been possible without the active participation of our club members who have given their utmost valuable time and effort during club-initiated activities. Levelling up from being humble birdwatchers- CONGRATULATIONS to all the club members whose strong sense of volunteerism, the very backbone of the club, has made this recognition possible.
December 15, 2024 – WBCP x Optisan Post-ABF Event at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park
The WBCP x Optisan Post-ABF Event was held on December 15 at the Wetland Center of the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park. The half-day activity consists of 45-minute birdwatching sessions conducted free-of-charge in partnership with Optisan Optics, a nature walk to Freedom Island highlighting the trees of the beach forest and mangrove forest led by Anthony and Lani Arbias and a lecture at the auditorium on migration and bird identification conducted by Maia Tanedo. Cristina Cinco manned the WBCP merchandise table while Djop Tabaranza manned the Haring Ibon merchandise table.
December 29, 2024 – Club Trip to Candaba Marsh, Pampanga
The Club organized a trip for club members to the Candaba Marsh in Pampanga. Over the years, this important floodplain had seen lesser and lesser birds due to conversion of marshland to agriculture, change in planting schedule and hunting of wild birds. Club members counted the birds seen and the data will be shared to the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the DENR, the main office in charge of the Asian Waterbird Census in the country. Club members who took part in the trip were Tinggay Cinco, Maritess Falcon, Lisa Kircher, Mike Lu, Stevie Mehta, Gilmore and Mona Selonos, Razel and Mar Sta. Rita, Djop Tabaranza, Maia Tanedo & Ves Yraola.
