Sharing with you our 2019 excursion to visit Pag Asa in person! In fact, we observed more eagles!
We travel not just because we want to, but because we need to decompress, learn new things, and be informed on certain crucial subjects that we may not have known before visiting a particular location. The Philippine Eagle Center visit was one of these instances.
Prior to the beginning of 2019, my husband James and I had already prioritized the Philippine Eagle Center as our top destination in order to witness a Philippine Eagle up close. As the national bird of the Philippines, the Philippine Eagle is deserving of respect. However, it is currently classified as a species that is critically endangered.
At the base of Mount Apo in Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City, there is a vast area devoted to the Philippine Eagle conservation breeding facility. It is an 8.4-hectare plot of land that has become a major tourist attraction in the city.
The vast land area of the center may be intimidating, yet just a portion of this territory is accessible to guests. Currently, only the closed canopy and the plaza or exhibit area are open to the general public. However, the remaining functional regions are divided between conservation, reproduction, and food stock.
Prior to visiting the facility, a Php 150 admission charge must be paid. This amount will benefit both the center's staff and the Eagles.
Additionally, snacks and beverages can be purchased here. This acts as the entry and exit, so guests can relax here prior to and following the trip. There is also a souvenir shop for people who wish to purchase Philippine Eagle-inspired gifts to take home. I purchased three fridge magnets. In addition to T-shirts, plush animals, mugs, and many other goods, there are also paintings and sketches of the Eagles.
Before entering, all guests, regardless of age, are required to use the provided disinfecting liquids. Additionally, everyone is obliged to tread on an additional disinfectant for footwear. Better be safe than sorry!
The nearby natural forest to the Malagos Watershed is the close canopy. It is also crucial to remember that this section of Davao is considerably colder than the city itself. Possibly as a result of the forest, upon entering the near canopy portion, we felt as if we were truly entering a forest; the trees are dense, flora is growing everywhere, and all we had to do was follow the trail and the signs to find the Eagles.
Eagles have varying personalities; some do not even like to see people! But it was a refreshing experience to enter this route, as we heard many birds chirping and eagles calling out, as if they were calling someone, possibly a parent or a friend.
We discovered Pag Asa, the first successful hatch produced by the center employing the Cooperative Artificial Insemination Breeding Method. On January 15, Pag Asa celebrated its 27th hatch day or birthday. It is a significant achievement for the Philippine Eagle Foundation that Pag Asa is still alive and now has its own line, a female Eagle named Mabuhay. However, we were unable to capture a nice photo of it because it was situated far above us and our lens was inadequate for wildlife photography! Sad life!
I saw that their name prints also contain adoption information, such as Pag Asa's adoption by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation in 2014 from the day it was hatched. Thirty-three additional children are adopted by various companies and individuals, similar to Kuya Kim Atienza's family. Even the Japanese prime minister adopted one, which he named Sakura, but sadly it perished from a snakebite.
The exhibit area contains the juvenile eagles, as well as the various facilities such as Diola's Forest and the audio-visual room where several videos and documentaries are being filmed to educate and leave a lasting impression on visitors about the significance of Eagles to our country and the entire world.
There are only 400 pairs of Philippine Eagles left in the wild, which is why the Philippine Eagle Foundation is working so hard to preserve and protect them. Several partners, including government and private institutions, are also contributing to this vision.
During our vacation, we simply engaged in a self-guided walking tour. But I strongly propose that people have a guided tour, which will enable each of them become more knowledgeable about the Eagles' lives and facts. It is up to the guest's discretion whether or not to offer gratuities and donations.
Occasionally, the Philippine Eagle Foundation's social media account announces bird-watching events when numerous species of wild birds can be observed in the region. Each guest must bring binoculars in order to see these birds clearly.
Wild paths, on the other hand, is a paid service where individuals can pay Php 500 to have their name engraved on the center's concrete road, which is an additional contribution to the conservation of Eagles. Likewise, for Tree of Hope. One seedling is sponsored for Php 100 as part of the Arakan Forest Corridor Development Project.
How Can We Get There?
There are numerous ways to reach the Philippine Eagle Center from Davao City, whether by public or private transportation.
Private Vehicles
However, my husband and I leased a motorcycle for three days that acted as our personal vehicle for the duration of our trip. Following Google Maps, it took us approximately 45 minutes to drive from the main city to Malagos, Baguio District.
Google Maps suggested us a faster route, but I do not recommend it because the road isn't completely smooth and there are some sections with a nasty stench. It is preferable to travel via roadway.
You may also choose to rent a van for the complete family or group if you are going as a group, but this option is more expensive.
Commute
For those who desire to commute, based on my research, there are buses that depart every 15 minutes from the Annil Terminal, bus prices are priced at Php 30. Upon arriving at Calinan after an hour or two, take a tricycle to PEC; the trip will take approximately 10 minutes and cost Php 6. The total is only Php 36!
There are food stalls and restaurants just outside the center, so don't worry about being hungry. This honey-glazed turon with sesame seeds particularly stuck out to us. Do check it out!
The opportunity to witness these huge creatures is a priceless treasure that I will cherish forever. I hope to see one in the wild in the future, but it is already a blessing that I have seen these birds, the largest in the world; as Filipinos, we must be happy that they inhabit our forests.
True, only good education and the backing of every Filipino citizen will prevent the poaching and hunting of our imperiled Eagles.