Compiled by Mike Lu
JULY 2026
July 18, 2026 – Guided birdwatching trip for Homeschool Global Touch at the University of the Philippines, Quezon City
A guided birdwatching trip was specially organized for Homeschool Global Touch’s Charlotte Mason Natural History Club on a Saturday afternoon at the Science Complex of the University of the Philippines in Quezon City. The late afternoon birdwatching activity proceeded smoothly with many of the resident species out in full view including Philippine Hanging Parrot, Pied Triller, Coppersmith Barbet, Crested Myna, and more. The group of 40 participants was ably guided by Maia Tañedo, Mike Lu, Weng and Anthony de la Torre, Tsarina and Yana Agcaoili, Ravie Piansay, and Nimfa Lo.
July 19, 2026 – Guided birdwatching trip at Ninoy Aquino Park, Quezon Cit
Despite the downpour just before the guided trip started and the resulting humidity after, the group managed to see more than ten species by the park’s lagoon such as the Collared Kingfisher, Little Heron, and very good views of the Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker. The highlight was spotting a pair of endemic Philippine Eagle Owls before the rains fell again. WBCP members who joined these trip were Maia Tañedo, Anna Gonzales, Mike Lu, Ravie Piansay, Camille King, Patcha Pangatungan, Eryl Valeroso, Robert and Desiree Javier, Dagny Yenco, and Brandon Garcia.
July 25, 2026 – Guided trip at the University of the Philippines, Quezon City
The Living Learning Homeschool Sibulan Cluster requested for a guided afternoon birdwatching activity for their homeschoolers at the Science Complex of the University of the Philippines. The group met up in front of the Institute of Biology just as it started to rain. Fortunately, the group took shelter in the shaded parking area and the bird guides were able to point out Crested Myna, White-breasted Wood Swallow, Black-naped Oriole, Long-tailed Shrike, and Philippine Jungle Crow.
The rains did not let up and the guides called it a day at 6:00 pm. WBCP volunteers for this activity were Maia Tañedo, Djop Tabaranza, Mike Lu, Jops Josef, Dins Ong, and Robert Javier.
July 26, 2026 – 23rd WBCP General Assembly and Anniversary at La Vista Clubhouse, Quezon City
The WBCP’s 23rd General Assembly and Anniversary was held at the La Vista Clubhouse on Sunday, July 26, 2026. The 2-part program started with the General Assembly for WBCP members where President Mike Lu gave a talk on volunteerism, Treasurer Jops Josef presented the finances, and VP & Records Committee Chair Cristina Cinco gave an update on new species for 2025 and showed other statistics. Camille King presented the features of the newly-launched Sony camera RX10V.
The second-part of the program with invited guests started with the President’s report by Mike Lu, introduction to birding sites with Bess Par for La Mesa Ecopark, Diego Montesclaros for Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park, Rene Bernardo for Tagalag Ecopark and Nald Rigor for Lake Canarem (Tarlac). Dr. Annadel Cabanban of Wetlands International Philippines discussed the controversial recommendation of Sen. Raffy Tulfo to relocate the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park due to the threat of birdstrikes, and finally VP Cristina Cinco gave a primer to what to expect when participating in international bird festivals.
The registration was handled by Cristina Cinco, Jessica Cinco, and Babie Magadia. The club merchandise was handled by Leonard Rizada and Heidi Arias. The silent auction was handled by Donna Lacuna. The program was hosted by Maia Tañedo and Mike Lu, with Jasmin Meren helping out during the announcement of winners of the Lucky Pick. Jops Josef handled the venue arrangement and sound system while Jed Guzman designed the anniversary poster.
AUGUST 2026
August 15-16, 2026 – Club trip to Villa Escudero, Tiaong, Quezon Province
Due to overwhelming demand, what was supposed to be a one-day club trip to Villa Escudero organized by Enrico Legaspi turned into two whole-day sessions, with more than 20 club members joining. On August 15 and 16, our gracious hosts, AP and Mela, toured us around VE, showing us not just the birds that call VE home but also VE’s museum, cultural show, and waterfall lunch buffet. Some highlights of the trip were the Indigo-banded Kingfisher and Rough-crested Malkoha joining us at the buffet, a flock of Rhabdornises at the campsite, and of course, the company of fellow birders! Day 1 participants were Dins Ong, Russell Orodio, Des Javier, Robert Javier, and Brandon Lonard. Day 2 participants were the Agcaoili family, Enrico Legaspi, Donna Lacuna, Dhaval Bapat, Prince Marek, Janina Castro, Gelo Arboleda, Alice Anatan, and Johanna Gonzales
August 30, 2026 – Talk on birds of the Philippines at the Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple, Manila
WBCP president Mike Lu was invited to give a talk on birds of the Philippines and birdwatching as part of the Mindfulness activities of the Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple. After the talk, it was suggested that participants go on an actual guided birdwatching trip and conduct a coastal clean-up at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park. The temple has many weekend activities such as Chinese calligraphy writing, introductory tai chi, and vegetarian cooking classes.
August 31, 2026 – Club trip to Masungi Georeserve, Baras, Rizal
After weeks of continuous rains, the clouds cleared a bit and WBCP members went on a club trip to Masungi Georeserve in Baras (Rizal.) However it was a very windy day and birding was a bit difficult. Nevertheless, the group saw Luzon Hornbill, Red-crested Malkoha, Barred Rail, but missed out on the resident Indigo-banded Kingfisher. WBCP members also helped out in the Georeserve’s guided birdwatching activity for the general public. WBCP members who joined the trip were Ana Alcantara, Russell Andaya, Shaw Bongco, Mitch Bonsay, Isa Celis, Medison Cenizal, Josh Cruz, Rex Durban, Jameson Ho, Des Javier, Rob Javier, Frances Lee, Micah Lim, Mike Lu, Luisa Matic, Juan Mesquida, Ruth Page, Zita Pascasio, Katie Prado, Gilmore Senolos, Mona Senolos, Ila Trillanes, Eryl Valeroso, Isa Velayo, Mizun Wilson, Shafeeq Wilson, Cindy Yap, Richard Yap, and Dagny Yenko.
SEPTEMBER 2026
September 6, 2026 – Guided trip to Masungi Georeserve, Baras, Rizal
Masungi x WBCP, a joint guided birdwatching trip in partnership with the Masungi Georeserve. WBCP volunteer guides were led by Ana Alcantara, Nat Galibut, and Rob Javier. Despite the rainy weather, the first-time birdwatchers were able to see Whiskered Treeswift, Spotted Wood Kingfisher, Red-crested Malkoha, and a family of Luzon Hornbills.
September 26, 2026 – Guided trip for UP Mountaineers applicants, University of the Philippines, Quezon City
As part of the Environment Activities of the UP Mountaineer applicants, the club initiated a guided birdwatching activity for 38 applicants. The first-time birdwatchers were able to get good views of the resident Philippine Hanging Parrot, White-breasted Woodswallow, Long-Tailed Shrike as well as the migrant Brown Shrike, among other bird species. Volunteer guides for this activity were Anthony Arbias, Josh Cruz, Shaw Bongco, Mike Lu, Dindo Malonzo, Russell Orodio, and Leonard Rizada.
September 26-28, 2026 – Club trip to Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Because of its established infrastructure for birding, beautiful endemics, and talented guides, Palawan is recognized as the premier birding in the country, which makes it perfect for a club trip! Guided by fellow WBCP member Steph Tuboc, we spent three days (-1 morning because of a delayed flight) going around Napsan, Irawan, and Randy’s House. The trip was a massive success, with many joiners getting over 30 lifers, including the Lovely Sunbird, Palawan Hornbill, Blue-headed Racket-tail, and a last-minute Chestnut-breasted Malkoha. Club members who joined the trip organized by Enrico Legaspi include, Dagny Yenko, Ria Dela Cruz, Anna Año, David Angeles, Katie Prado, Laarni Fuentes, Ravie Piansay, Stevie Mehta, Steph Tuboc, Ruth Page.
September 26-27, 2026 – Club Trip to Katmon Harbor Nature Sanctuary Beach Resort, Infanta, Quezon
Upon the gracious invitation of Doc Mylene Santos, a 10-member team headed to the beautiful Katmon Harbor Nature Sanctuary in Infanta, Quezon last September 26-27, 2026. The team surveyed a total of 20 bird species within the premises of the resort and the adjacent coconut plantation which still forms part of the Katmon property. Highlights in Katmon were Mangrove Blue-Flycatcher, Ashy Minivet, and Common Sandpiper. The team also visited Jake’s Place (Spotted Wood Kingfisher, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker), Chapel (Philippine Fairy Bluebird), Dinahican Fish Port (White-breasted Woodswallow, Whiskered Tern) and Thiana’s (Flaming Sunbird, Grey-streaked Flycatcher).
WBCP members who joined the trip were Irynn Abano, Ana Alcantara, Karen Demot, Jelaine Gan, Juluis Infante, Donna Lacuna, Frances Lee, Zita Pascasio, Subra Ramakrishnan, Kris Yjares