A DECADE WITH PANGARAP

AS the country celebrates Philippine Eagle Week this early June, AboitizPower honors a national treasure and one of the world’s largest avian predators, and recognizes the many efforts to preserve the critically endangered species.

For the past 10 years, AboitizPower has adopted and sponsored a particular eagle, Pangarap, who serves as a beacon of hope for the conservation of the Philippine bird of prey. Pangarap is one of the few females left of her species who is eligible for breeding, now through artificial insemination.

Through AboitizPower’s adoption, which has amounted to around P1.5 million over the past decade, Pangarap is able to receive necessary medication and care, as well as proper dieting and preparation for breeding, courtesy of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) in Davao.

Pangarap celebrated her 21st hatchday earlier this year on February 24th. AboitizPower, in partnership with PEF, held a hatchday event for over 50 students and guests to witness and learn about the majestic species housed at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City.

“We are so thankful to Pangarap’s Ninongs and Ninangs from AboitizPower for their support over the past 10 years, and for making these kinds of experiences for the kids of our neighboring communities possible,” said Carla Salvacion, education administrator for PEF.

Pangarap is currently healthy and safe at the Philippine Eagle Center.

Sprig offering is set to commence in the coming month to begin stimulating Pangarap and other mal-imprint eagles to prepare them for the incoming breeding season in July.

Sprig offering is done by the PEF team to simulate a courtship ritual among eagles, which is especially important for mal-imprint eagles who need to establish a rapport with the animal keepers to prepare for insemination.

The PEF breeding team is committed to improving the productivity of the male mal-imprints.

PEF hopes that in time, the center’s female eagles, including Pangarap, can all undergo successful conjugal artificial insemination and lay the foundation for a new generation of majestic raptors.

“Our support for the Philippine Eagle Foundation is a testament to AboitizPower’s commitment to conserving biodiversity and wildlife. At AboitizPower, we strive to live by our core value of responsibility -- responsibility to our customers, responsibility to our communities, and responsibility to our environment,” said Emmanuel V. Rubio, president and chief executive officer of AboitizPower.

During this Philippine Eagle Week, AboitizPower and PEF recognize the challenges that the Philippines’ national bird faces under its critical endangerment. There is a need for a wider understanding of the conservation efforts needed to preserve the jewel of the archipelago, in order for it to remain for generations to come.