A conservationist and an animal keeper at the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City educated the netizens that the bird printed on the new 1000-peso note really exist in real life.
Through her TikTok page, Lohwana Halaq showed ‘Sinag,’ one of the Philippine Eagles she was taken care of while handling a 1000-peso bill.
According to her, she was surprised that many Filipinos thought that the bird imprinted on the said peso note was fictional.
“From my experience working with these beautiful animals I can truthfully say that it shocks me much our own Filipino citizens do not know this eagle exists or what it even looks like. Despite its high profile status in media, culture and government,” she said.
“I’ve had many guest interactions in which local Filipino visitors come up to ask me: “ma”am, nasaan ang Philippine agila?” , “ma,am where can I find the Philippine eagle?” … I am literally holding the Philippine Eagle on my arm…. I look at them look at my eagle, Sinag, and look back at them and point out “You are staring at the Philippine Eagle”…” she added.
@lohwanahalaq 💰The Money Shot 💰 The head shot of the Philippine eagle species replaced the former 1000 peso bank note design of the three Filipino martyrs and civic rights actitivists of the resistance against the Japanese occupation of World War II. The Philippine eagle is the national bird of the Philippines 🇵🇭 and thus should recieve the recognition it deserves. From my experience working with these beautiful animals I can truthfully say that it shocks me much our own Filipino citizens do not know this eagle exists or what it even looks like. Despite its high profile status in media, culture and government. I’ve had many guest interactions in which local Filipino visitors come up to ask me: “ma”am, nasaan ang Philippine agila?” , “ma,am where can I find the Philippine eagle?” … I am literally holding the Philippine Eagle on my arm…. I look at them look at my eagle, Sinag, and look back at them and point out “You are staring at the Philippine Eagle”… I have conservations with Filipinos abroad in Canada and I explain to them that I work and live in the Philippines as an Animal Keeper and I help breed the critically endangered Philippine eagle species. Many of them comment: “I did not know we have this eagle in the Philippines”…. my response usually is “did you even open your Filipino passport?” As the Philippine Eagle is also featured in the Filipino Governing passport. It is clear that awareness plays a crucial role in species conservation from local to international recognitions. Education is key. There is improvement, and progress may be is slow, but saving this species from extinction is worth it. #philippines🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭 #philippineeaglecenter #philippineeagles🦅🇵🇭 #capcut
Philippine Eagle is considered the national bird of the country, but sadly it’s also considered an endangered species.
Fortunately, it’s extinction was prevented, thanks to the joint effort from several groups and the government.