SPREAD THE WINGS OF CONSERVATION

As part of their growing network, ADNAI in 2018 hosted the Uk-based Silverback Films that filmed eagles Kalabugao, Guilangguilang, and Maluko (eaglet) in the wild. The video footage is now part of the monumental Netflix natural history documentary Our Planet, narrated by renowned British naturalist Sir David Attenborough. Silverback, in turn, provided forest patrol funds and field gears to the ADNAI’S Bantay Kalasan (forest guards).

In March 2019, Manolo Fortich held its first Banog-banog (Eagle) Aerial, Arts, and Music Festival, and funds were raised to help support ADNAI with their conservation work. The DENR also deputized over 20 Bantay Kalasan as government environment officers.

Now, ADNAI and its Bantay Kalasan continue tracking Kalabugao through her GPS transmitter, enforcing forestry laws, apprehending timber poachers, and educating other village members about conserving the eagle family and their forest home.

On March 22, ADNAI held their annual thanksgiving which they have been traditionally performing in seclusion and secrecy since the olden times. As an obvious gesture of good faith to its newfound partners, the daylong ritual was held with their non-indigenous partners as guests.

As the elders sanctified their food as thanksgiving offerings, they called upon their principal deity Magbabaya, and their local prophet and savior Apo Datu Nanikunan, and prayed for the well-being of their Philippine eagle neighbors and their indigenous and nonindigenous human guardians.