Salamat Haribon

Just want to give a special shout-out to THE pioneer in biodiversity conservation in the Philippines —

Haribon!

Thank you for the warmest welcome!!! 

 

I decided to join Haribon because I want to be able to say, “Hi there (wink, pout, hair flip), I’m actually an environmentalist, aren’t you?” with utmost poise and confidence.

 

I don’t like to bluff and I’m a terrible liar. So If I declare myself to be an environmentalist without the necessary action and research to back my statement up, I’d be twitchy, scratchy, nervously picking my teeth, or worse, turning completely mute afterwards…

 

 

 

The gregarious Ella Deleon who is in charge of Haribon membership tried to cheer me up, “It’s okay, you can call yourself an … uhm…Biodiversity Conservation Champion… er…for now.”

(Ella had to suppress an eye roll as I teared up)

Haribon began as a bird watching society decades ago.

Hari for king

ibon for bird

Haribon refers to the majestic Philippine Eagle or the ‘king of the birds’.

Today, with hundreds of like-minded individuals supporting the group, Haribon has evolved into this powerful movement advancing environmental causes and yes, biodiversity conservation in the Philippines.

Then there’s the global climate crisis to be addressed. And the inevitable but ever challenging shift towards renewable sources of energy — solar, wind, hydro, geothermal — all very close to my heart.

I promised Haribon’s development manager Ms. Arlie Endonelia with her encyclopedic knowledge of bird species that I would be able to identify at least twelve kinds of birds by next year.

Name a bird you really want to see during our field trip, she said, flashing me a wide smile.

I thought,  Philippine Eagle, but then hesitated because it’s too obvious.

Uh…Dodo, I replied.

Oh but they’re extinct, she remarked thoughtfully, handing me a set of endangered animals flashcards to study.

All birds are dinosaurs! I hurriedly blurted out, but to no avail. I already said Dodo.

 

P.S.