It's been six days after the election but I am still so happy as a clam at high tide with the outcome. I feel like all the brightest stars in the universe conspired to make it happen. Destiny has taken it course and we are the victors! I am extremely grateful and proud. I have been an ardent fan of the Mayor even before he filed his COC--and became even more of a supporter since my wandering feet reached Davao. I was one (and still am) of 16 million change warriors who marched into battle with him and never left his side, to the very end--until victory. Though the past months has been horrendous-- as the campaign went horribly awry. His rivals and critics threw the entire kitchen sink at him but the great Mayor remained, standing tall (with his symbolic clenched fist). Truly, you can never put a good man down and indeed, the truth and good will always prevail. Behold Philippines, the eagle has landed!
Speaking of which, day 4 of our Davao trip is finally up--this time I'll be giving you guys a glimpse of one of the largest and most powerful birds of prey in the world, our national bird--the Philippine Eagle. On our fourth day the boyfriend and I visited three major tourist attraction in Davao City and The Philippine Eagle Center was our first stop. We then visited Malagos Garden Resort and Eden Nature Park but these two too-- deserve another post--for i'll be sharing you guys detailed tips on how to visit these places without spending a fortune.
Day 4 (March 18,2016)
We left the hotel at 9am because the center is a bit far, it is located at Malagos, Baguio District, an hour away from the city center. It can be reached either by private or public transport. Taking a cab will coast you around 1500php but you can always negotiate. During a taxi ride on our first day in Davao, a cabbie told us that it will cost us 3000php if we will hire a cab for the whole day to visit all the places I mentioned above. Entrance fees and food excluded, quite expensive right? Well, if you do have the money and don't have enough time, this one will do but if you are on a tight budget and you have all the time in the world you can do it the local way. Between the two, I prefer the latter. Haha, I am a self proclaimed 'kuripot' (stingy) so traveling on a budget is a must for me. And besides, commuting the local way makes me feel more of a traveler than a tourist. So if you and I are on the same page, you might wanna know how. Okay, heres how.
The cheapest way to get there is either by bus or jeep. We opted to take the bus since the bus station happens to be just a few steps away from our hotel. The buses (sorry forgot to take a photo) going to Calinan depart every 15 minutes from the Annil Terminal located at corner Quirino and San Pedro Extension. Bus fare is at 30php. From Calinan, take a pedicab going to the PEC. The ride is about 10 minutes and will cost you 15php (if shared).
Before entering the PEC premises, the Davao City Water District will collect an entrance fee of 5php for adults and 3php for kids. PEC entrance costs 150php for adults and 100php for kids. The Philippine Eagle Center is open from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon daily, including holidays.
Organized in 1987, The Philippine Eagle Center is home to 36 Philippine Eagles, 18 of which are captive-bred. It also houses 10 other species of birds, 4 species of mammals and 2 species of reptiles. It offers visitors a glimpse into the country’s forest ecosystem. It also help educate the Filipino people on conservation and to save and propagate the critically endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi).
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| Pag-asa (born January 15, 1992) is a male Philippine eagle and the first of its species to be bred and hatched in captivity. |
Like what I've said the Philippine Eagle Center is home to 36 Philippine Eagles and PAG-ASA is one of them. According to wiki Pag-asa was born at 10:40 pm PST on January 15, 1992 at the Philippine Eagle Center and was the first of its kind to be successfully bred and hatched in captivity. Pag-asa was bred through artificial insemination and was hatched through combined artificial and natural incubation technique taught by the World Center For Birds of Prey. The animal was the first offspring of Philippine eagles Diola and Junior. Then 29-year-old Diola, laid the egg of Pag-asa and Junior found in Agusan, was the sperm donor. Pag-asa was named by the breeding team of the Philippine Eagle Conservation Program Foundation Public led by executive director Dennis Salvador and camp manager Domingo Tanada for Tagalog term for "hope".
Aside from the cage is quite far--Pag-asa was so elusive that day. I had a hard time getting a decent photo of him but that didn't stop me, I didn't give up and didn't lose hope so I got these, haha! Not that decent but I guess these will do haha! What I am saying is, in everything you do--never lose hope, for you never know what tomorrow may bring (hugot).
It was my first time to see eagles up close and it was amazing. Was kinda shocked to see them eat with my bare eyes though. That was scary, I felt bad for the poor prey. Anyhoo, I enjoyed every corner of the center especially that the guided tour was free of charge, yay! Thaks to Kuya. He told us about the bird’s biology, characteristics, interesting facts and their life at the Center. Do you know that unlike humans (lol), eagles are monogamous--they stay hitched until death do they part--making them among one of the most loyal members of the animal kingdom. How cool is that? And just like monogamous human beings (lol again), eagles are critically endangered too (this is serious though), due to massive loss of habitat due to deforestation in most of its range. That is why Philippine Eagle Foundation has this 'adopt an eagle program' --by adopting an eagle, you'll support their research, rescue, education and other action efforts to save and protect our Philippine Eagle. For more info about this you can check their website here. And oh--just so you know, killing a Philippine eagle is punishable under Philippine law by 12 years in jail and heavy fine, so don't dare.
Apart from the wide collection of Philippine birds and other wildlife animals, the park is also surrounded with colorful flowering plants and various endemic trees. Making the PEC as the country's best eco-tourism destination. If you're a nature lover like myself, you'll enjoy this place. It was amazing--Mikel and I learnt a lot of things about ecosystems. How does it affect human life and how does human activities affect the ecosystem. Our survival depends on the health of the ecosystem yet we destroy ecosystems by producing waste, damaging habitats and removing too many species. Keep in mind that in an ecosystem, each organism has its role and purpose and disturbing the balance of an ecosystem can be disastrous for all the living things relying on it. Be aware and be responsible, in everything you do, think of how it's affecting those around you.
PS. Breakdown of expenses (Philippine Eagle Center only), food not included.
Bus fare: 30php x 2 = 60php
Tricycle: 15php x 2= 30php
Davao City Water District Entrance Fee: 5php x 2= 10php
PEC Entrance Fee: 150php x 2 = 300php
Total: 400php
Hope you find this post helpful guys, will be posting Malagos Garden Resort and Eden Nature park soon, so watch out!
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