By Donna M. Lacuna
*Just beginning birding
I’d like to acknowledge Trinket Constantino, my high school classmate in Miriam College, for introducing me to birding in February 2026. She took me, my family, and a couple of Miriam friends to UP Diliman around the College of Science on a sunny, early Wednesday morning. I felt blessed to have been guided by Trinket as she and her husband Adri have been birding for the longest time now and have co-authored precious and impressive books on birding and wildlife.
I spent 4 years of college in UPD and still go there for walks, fun runs, occasional visits to the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice (UP Chapel), and yummy Pinoy street food like taho, corn, fishballs, fried lumpia, and karioka among a host of others. The only birds I ever noticed all those years were the good ‘ole mayas. I was surprised to learn they had such a sophisticated name – Eurasian tree sparrow. I felt like a demi-genius telling my non-birding friends the maya’s fancy name; they were impressed…a simple lot my friends and I.
The fact that I saw 21 species of birds in 2.5 hours within a 2-kilometer radius in just a fraction of UPD campus totally floored me. As my one of my college buddies used to say, “who would’ve thunk?!” It never occurred to me that so much diversity and color could be possible in the city. I guess the abundance of trees, plants, flowers, fruits, seeds, and insects in the campus is a big factor. UPD’s charm lies in the beauty of its trees and greenery; making it a cool, shady, relaxing and safe space for humans and birds alike. I pray the campus, as well as other places in our urban landscape, continues to grow greener and greener for many decades to come.
On the drive home with my husband and 14-year old son, I realized how much I learned in just one quick morning of birding. Slow down. Stop. Look up. Look around. Listen. Oh the things we can discover by slowing down…oh the things we can miss by rushing. There are so many things we take for granted, and they’re usually right under our noses…or above our heads. I suppose birding doesn’t only open our eyes but our heart and soul as well.
In late June 2026 Bambi Martinez, my former office mate in Software Ventures International and Asian Development Bank (ADB), added me to this group chat called “Birding Pals PH” which she and her birding friends recently formed. Bambi started birding during the pandemic in 2021. She shared how birding helped clear her mind and improve her overall health and well-being. I’ve been telling Bambi and other former ADB officemates to just go on over to the early retirement side with me. Retirement has been awesome; pure, unspeakable joy.
In a span of 5 consecutive weeks, I found myself joining 4 birding trips and 1 birding club meeting. It could have been more than 4 trips had I been swifter in signing up and had it not been for prior commitments. When I told my husband about attending them, he didn’t really say anything but his eyes spoke volumes. As in huwwhhaatt and huwwhhyyy. Nevertheless, being the good guy my husband Bebert is, he let me go. Though just between you and me, I wasn’t actually asking permission, I was merely informing. Hope my husband isn’t reading this but if he is…peace and love to you bruh.
Anyway, had it not been for this guy from Laguna who asked in the “Birding Pals PH” GC if there would be any birding trips in the morning of July 26, I wouldn’t have gotten wind of the 23rd Anniversary and General Assembly of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines held at the La Vista Clubhouse in Quezon City. What an immense loss that would have been. Jeez it took forever to get to this segue huh.
Needless to say, the meeting was super fun and educational especially for a newbie like me. I’m so glad to have attended, met WBCP members and guests, and taken photos of the special event. So here begins the photo essay, hope you’ll like it and possibly spot yourself in one of the snaps. Hope to see and spend time with you again soon. Cheers to bonding and birding. God bless you. Justine Bebird signing out…
PHOTO ESSAY: 23rd Anniversary and General Assembly of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines
July 26, 2026 at the La Vista Clubhouse, Quezon City
Kudos to an e-banner that’s a clean and green alternative to tarpaulins. Once again, congratulations and all the best to WBCP
Registration went smoothly and with lovely ID necklaces too. Based on the registration sheet, 64 members attended; there may have been more. According to the latest available data, WBCP has 175 regular members and 10 associate members.
Thank you Execom for all the hard work and dedication to the club’s mission and initiatives through the years. Congratulations also for a successful, well-attended, fun, and informative anniversary and general assembly. Execom members are Michael Lu, President; Cristina Cinco, Vice President; Maia Tañedo, Secretary; and Jops Josef, Treasurer.
Emcees Mike and Maia steering the hosting wheel towards a fun, productive, and organized event
The silent auction was a huge success with exciting items like birding books, backpacks, bags, mugs, water bottles, pins, a boomerang, and a bottle of imported gin. Funny how every so often, bidders would hound the auction table to check on the “security” of their favored items. Reminded me of the Filipino term “binabakuran” from the root word “bakod” or fence. “Binabakuran” is usually applied in courtship when the gentleman would find ways to figuratively build a fortress or fence around the lady he favors; thus trying to protect her from other suitors. That somehow happened in the silent auction. Thankfully there were no reports of injuries or friendship-over-declarations.
Flexing my loot from the silent auction and raffle. I especially loved the huge mug for its words “nature sings a joyful song”, the pretty design, and its capacity of 500 ml or 2 full cups of coffee…yesss. Must admit I did some hounding around the auction table and ensured the mug’s security twice over. When I got home, I asked myself if I really needed all these things; well that introspection came a bit too late girl. Anyway, I turned my thoughts to a friend who said purchases of unnecessary products can actually be good for mental health. I must agree. Your wife, girlfriend, or daughter would most probably agree too.
While not all special guests were photographed, here is the guest list in no particular order: (i) Rej Andal, Manila Water Foundation; (ii) Ida Esguerra, DENR-NCR; (iii) Chris Villarin, LPPWP PAMO; (iv) Frances Tenorio, PNPCSI; (v) Lanie Arbias, PNPCSI; (vi) George Chiu, AVES; (vii) Jonathan Bulsano, Valenzuela City; (viii) Arcee Dayego, Valenzuela City; (ix) Joey Mangcupang, QC LGU; (x) Michael Paolo Avila, Tarlac Provincial Tourism; (xi) Frederick Llegue, Tarlac Provincial Tourism; (xii) Nanette Rigor, Victoria LGU; (xiii) Joey Mauricio, Victoria LGU; and (xiv) Alain Pascua, WBPP. We thank each one of them for taking time to attend and celebrate with WBCP.
Chel Diokno, Representative for Akbayan Party List, briefly graced the occasion. All I can say is “ang pagsisisi ay laging nasa huli” (loosely translated regret often comes too late) as I could not muster the courage to ask for a photograph with the admirable Chel Diokno. Am thus questioning my life choices and envying all members with the coolest photograph of the day or perhaps the half-century.
Some of our partners and suppliers such as Henry’s Cameras, Brew by Golden Cape, and Golden Cape Catering.
Thinking of the future generations as WBCP continues to raise awareness about Philippine avian diversity and its preservation while promoting birdwatching as a responsible way to enjoy nature.
Am definitely enjoying birdwatching as a newbie and look forward to learning more about the beautiful birds in our dear Philippines. Moreover, I look forward to the joy of meeting people and making new friends. As this huge mug says, “nature sings a joyful song”. May we learn to listen with an open and hopeful heart. Cheers to nature and birding!
