A video went viral on TikTok as an animal keeper in Davao City shared a glimpse of the Philippine eagle, the same as the visual present in the new Php1,000 bill and the Philippine passport.

With over 17.7 million views and more than 1.7 million likes, Lohwana Halaq from the Philippine Eagle Foundation uploaded the video of the Philippine Eagle along with the new 1,000 peso bill.

@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 ♬ original sound – lohwanahalaq

In the said video, Halaq was grateful that the species has already gained the recognition that it deserves, noting the uniqueness of the country.

“The headshot of the Philippine eagle species replaced the former 1000 peso bank note design of the three Filipino martyrs and civic rights activists of the resistance against the Japanese occupation of World War II. The Philippine eagle is the national bird of the Philippines and thus should receive the recognition it deserves,” Halaq captioned.

Along with the said video, the animal keeper shared her experience taking care of the Philippine eagle, showing how wonderful this species is.

With this, Halaq encouraged its viewers to support its initiative by highlighting the importance of the Philippine Eagle in the country.

Based on her experience, she noticed that Filipinos wanted to see the Philippine Eagle but did not really know its appearance in person due to a lack of knowledge.

“From my experience working with these beautiful animals, I can truthfully say that it shocks me how 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.

Following this alarming case, Halaq emphasized that education on this matter is important to preserve the presence of the Philippine eagle in the country and give a longer life to its culture.

“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 slow, but saving this species from extinction is worth it,” Halaq said.

According to the Philippine Eagle Foundation, the latest estimate of the said specie is 392 pairs. With the goal of increasing its number, the foundation launched its #TransferBreedingEaglesNow campaign to encourage other animal keepers to conserve the remaining species of eagles.

Photo Credit:
https://www.tiktok.com/@lohwanahalaq

Source:
https://www.philippineeaglefoundation.org/