The Business of Football - Philippines Set for May 18 at New World Hotel in Makati

Wazzup Pilipinas!

AFC, La Liga and Dentsu headlining the first 1-Day Football Business Conference in the Philippines

Riding on the heels of the historic Asian Cup 2019 qualification the Philippine Men’s National Team, more popularly known as The Azkals, the Philippines is set as the perfect venue for the upcoming “The Business of Football - Philippines” one-day Conference. 

The event is organized by MMC Sportz Asia, best known for delivering the high-caliber annual SPIA Asia - Asia’s Sports Industry Awards & Conference (www.spiaasia.com), recognizing and celebrating Asia’s top achievers within the sports industry.

“The Business of Football – Philippines,” sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), is the first of its kind to take place in the country on 18 May 2018, from 10am to 5pm, at the New World Hotel Makati.

The one-day Summit will bring together all the key stakeholders of the football community in the Philippines from the rights holders, football clubs, agencies, brands, media, retail, real estate, and of course, the fans.  The overall objective is to educate and to discuss the current state of football in the Philippines, with the goal of being able to determine the strategy to make it the biggest spectator sport in the country.

“There is so much un-tapped potential in the football-business in the Philippines, that we felt like it is time to bring all the key stakeholders together in one room, and to discuss the state of the game, and how we can develop the sport in the Philippines,” states Eric M. Gottschalk, CEO of MMC Sportz Asia Inc., the organizer of the conference.

“The inauguration of the professional football league in 2017 and the recent international successes of both the men’s and the women’s national football teams should be a springboard for the sport to finally take off in a basketball dominated country.  But we noticed that the key stakeholders are still adapting a “wait-and-see” approach.” continues Gottschalk, “private investment is needed in sports infrastructure, retailers need to offer a wider range of equipment options to the participants, and the media needs to make football a regular news feature.  We are proud to launch this first get-together of the “Who is Who” in Philippines football with the overall aim to listen and learn about the vision for football in the country from a professional point of view, delivered by our partners from the AFC, PFF, PFL, La Liga, and supported by research and analytics from Dentsu, and SMG Insight.  We are excited to bring this event to Manila, and hoping for it to impact the development of football in the Philippines, and for it to become a regular feature on the annual sports events calendar.”

Philippine Azkals Team Manager Dan Palami says, "The Business of Football - Philippines, is timely, since it gathers all the relevant stakeholders in Philippine football in one venue.  It is high time we get our act together, and elevate the level of the sport, in time for the upcoming Asian Cup 2019.  Wherein the country, and the Philippine Azkals will have the opportunity to make a mark, and create history in the international football scene."

The conference will cover topics such as Football in South East Asia, State of Football in the Philippines, Why Brands Should Get Involved, Developing Football in Asia, Asian Cup 2019, Youth Academies, among others.

The event will also feature a Job Fair, wherein participants can explore careers in football, learn from industry leaders, and get to network with key executives in the industry.

Confirmed speakers include AFC Director Member Association Development Mr. Stuart Larman, La Liga Managing Director for SEA, Mr. Ivan Codina, Men’s National Team Manager Mr. Dan Palami, Men’s National Team Head Coach Mr. Thomas Dooley, Philippines Football League CEO Mr. Lazarus Jansen Xavier,  MMC Sportz Marketing CEO Mr. Eric M. Gottschalk, SMG Insight Managing Director Mr. Frank Saez, and PFF General Secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes, among many others.

Organized by MMC Sportz Asia, the event is sanctioned by the Asia Football Confederation (AFC) and the Philippines Football Federation (PFF) and sponsored by La Liga, Dentsu, SMG Insight, RSportz and Platinumlist.

Delegate passes are available online at Platinumlist (The Business of Football - Philippines) and priced at P2,750 for regular delegates and P1,500 for the student pass.


For more information, please visit: The Business of Football - Philippines

Foundation for Media Alternatives Revisits Comelec Breach of 2016

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With two years already having elapsed since the Philippines’ biggest government data breach grabbed hold of global headlines, non-government organization, Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA),has released a briefing paper providing a summarized account of the events surrounding the infamous hacking incident.The document proposes some major takeaways and action points, both on the part of government and the private sector.

When news of the so-called “Comeleak” first broke out, the ensuing public panic was exacerbated by wildly conflicting accounts from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the hacker groups claiming responsibility for the incident (i.e., Anonymous Philippines and LulzSec Pilipinas), and law enforcement authorities. It would take a months-long investigation carried out by the then newly-minted National Privacy Commission (NPC) before some degree of clarity was achieved, through the agency’s December 2016 Decision, and the brief Preliminary Report it issued a few months prior.

If one recalls, the NPC found the Comelec and its then-Chairman, Andres Bautista, both liable for violating a number of provisions of the country’s Data Privacy Act (DPA). It went so far as to recommend to the Department of Justice the filing of criminal charges against Bautista, whilemaking no other findings of liability on the part of the other respondents initially named in the case.

With the case now pending before the appellate court, the world has since bore witness to a number of other election- or voter-related data crises. Mexico and the U.S., for instance, suffered even bigger information leaks just weeks after the incident. Then just these past month, thisFacebook-Cambridge Analytica controversy has highlighted anew the extent by which misuse of data—even as innocuous as that shared via online quizzes—can threaten the very foundations of a democratic society.

In its paper, FMA looks back at that historic moment before suggesting to the various stakeholders some steps it deems necessary to prevent similar privacy breaches in the future, namely:

•        All Filipinos need to take data privacy seriously.
•     The NPC must be competent (from the Commission proper down to its operations staff), well-resourced, and independent.
•        Additional data protection policies must be developed to help government agencies and the private sector comply with the DPA.
•        State capacity in other areas (e.g., cybersecurity, cybercrime investigations, etc.) should also improve.
•        Extreme caution should be observed when dealing with data-intensive systems.
•        Civil society must continue advocating for privacy and data protection measures in government and the private sector.

These measures become even more relevant today as the Philippines prepares for another set of elections.

BDO Leasing, First Privately-owned Financial Institution to Finance Modern Jeeps

Wazzup Pilipinas!

​ 

​
​   

'ModernJeepneys' coming soon in streets near you.

​​

State-of-the-art jeepneys will soon ply the Metro Manila route—and eventually the rest of the country—with BDO Leasing and Finance, Inc. (BDOLF) at the driver's seat of this trailblazing milestone.

A subsidiary of BDO Unibank that caters to the leasing and financing market, BDOLF became the first privately-owned financial institution in the country to enter into a loan agreement to finance modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs), in connection with the jeepney modernization program of the government. As of now, Landbank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines are the only two banks that have allocated funding specifically for the jeepney modernization program.

Under this program, the government plans to replace all old PUJs aged 15 years or older with environment-friendly jeepneys that have safety features to promote safer and more environment-friendly transport options. Based on an initial study done by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), around 180,000 jeepeys nationwide face replacement under the program.

BDOLF partnered with Transport Equipment Aggregator and Management, Inc. (1-TEAM), a company that manages and consolidates PUVs under a unified management system, to provide funding for five units of modern jeepneys or BEEP (shortened name forBagong Jeep).

Incidentally, the BEEPs will be supplied by IKK Ichigan, Inc., a former BDOLF client and an existing BDO commercial banking client.

1-TEAM is the first and only fleet management company in the country to consolidate around 30 individual PUJs under a single fleet system.  Its services include the provision of logistical support, manpower selection and training, equipment repair and maintenance, and the operation of public land transport services such as but not limited to, jeepneys, taxis, buses and UV express vans.

Each BEEP unit is air-conditioned and powered by a Euro IV compliant diesel engine.  With a size almost as big as a mini bus, each BEEP unit will also have a seating capacity of 24 passengers plus driver and will be have various safety features such as a speed limiter, closed-circuit television camera, Global Positioning System, dashboard camera, and outfitted with an automated fare collection system.

The units shall be deployed to various SM Mall Terminals to provide public utility jeepney shuttle service. At present, a number of PUJ units of 1-TEAM are already providing shuttle services from SM Mall Terminals to various end points. Among these terminals are SM City Baguio, SM City Clark, SM City Marikina, SM City Sta. Mesa and SM City Fairview.

Develop Creative “Cheeseventions” with Cheez Whiz!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Moms, did you know that it’s important to help develop kids’ creativity? Being creative does not only mean they will be good in doing art, it also helps develop them mentally, socially and emotionally. It is every mom's important role to foster creativity in their child in every way they can.

What is a better idea to foster creativity than to let them create their everyday snacks?

Cheez Whiz, the number one cheese spread in the country, has been spreading goodness during snack time for over 50 years. What makes it the leading cheese spread in the county is its thickness and amazing cheesy flavor.

Cheez Whiz' thickness is an explosion of flavor that goes with everything. Cheez Whiz is not only for making Creamy Cheesy Sandwiches but for creating different “Cheeseventions” snacks as well.  Kids of all ages can enjoy creating and mixing Cheez Whiz with other ingredients. Its two amazing flavors Original and Pimiento can drive kid’s imagination to create snacks! Make a sandwich tower! Cheez Whiz Mac and Cheese!  Use Cheez Whiz as a dip! The possibilities are endless!

Here’s one example moms and kids can create:

Solar Cheestem:
A delicious snack that’s out of this world!

Ingredients:
* Cupcakes
* Cheez Whiz 220g
* Planet toppers

Procedure:
Spread thick Cheez Whiz on top of the cupcakes.
Lay out the Solar System placemat on the table.
Place a cupcake on each planet outline.
Stick the toppers into the cupcakes.

Now, it’s time to create your Cheeseventions and submit them at cheeseventions.com for a chance to win 10,000 pesos and be featured in the Cheez Whiz (@CheezWhizPH) Facebook page.

TPB Volunteers Help Families Displaced by Mayon Volcano Eruption

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On January 13, 2018, a phreatic eruption occurred at Mount Mayon in Legazpi, Albay, leading to the evacuation of nearby residents. The event was followed by sporadic eruption, lava flow, ash fall and volcanic earthquakes, forcing the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) to raise the status to alert Level 4, which resulted to the displacement of more than 61,000 families from different barangays in just less than a month.

Three months later, Mayon Volcano's alert level status has been downgraded to Level 2 by authorities and most of the affected families have returned to their respective homes.

Yet, the volunteers for the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) continued on their mission to aid those affected by Mayon's wrath, unleashed after nearly four years of stillness.

Headed by Marivic Sevilla and Mariel Angelica Dimaano of the Corporate Planning and Business Development Department, 12 kind hearts went to Legazpi and Guinobatan on April 19 and 20 to pack and distribute rice and grocery bags to 498 families with the assistance of the Department of Tourism Region 5.

The team also paid a courtesy call on Mayor Ann Gemma Ongjoco of Guinobatan, Albay before heading to Brgy Muladbucad Pequeno, one of the barangays within the 6-9 km radius of the crater that was largely affected by the eruption and where the distribution of relief goods took place.
Despite the sweltering heat, the operation was conducted in an orderly manner, and the helping hands were greeted with sincere and warm smiles. According to Sevilla, the activity was not originally part of the year-round program until COO Cesar D. Montano saw the need to help the victims. She also noted that the Bicol contingent was the smallest group to implement a CSR program so far, but it turned out successful, thanks to the assistance of the DOT Region 5 office.
For volunteer Princess Elefante of the Office of the Corporate Board Secretary, the CSR experience was an unforgettable one. "I have witnessed how this activity can lead to social awareness and build good working relationships," she said.

One lesson resonated throughout the program; a venerated one from the late great poet and activist, Maya Angelou: “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed".

And the blessing not only gave hope to the families who have managed to survive weeks of uncertainty but also the volunteers who are now more inspired to continue the journey of giving a helping hand.

ONE Championship Rises As Largest Stand-Up Organization in the World

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Fresh off the debut of its highly-anticipated ONE Super Series on 20 April at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, ONE Championship offered fans a taste of what’s to expect with its latest innovation -- an all-striking league showcasing the best of the world’s striking martial arts.

The premise is simple. ONE Championship wants to provide a proving ground for the world’s best strikers to face each other under a single banner -- a prestigious global platform to showcase the beauty of striking arts such as Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo, Kung Fu, wushu, sanda, silat, lethwei, and more.

Last Friday night in Manila, ONE Championship showed fans a glimpse of the sort of action that they can look forward to with ONE Super Series -- and it was legendary.

Gracing the promotion’s all-new five-rope ring was kickboxing superstar Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan, who put on an absolute clinic against opponent Jo Nattawut of Thailand. Also in action was Muay Thai legend and former 4-time Lumpinee Stadium champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao who took on France’s Fabio Pinca.

For those who don’t know, Petrosyan and Gaiyanghadao are two of the most famous legends in the world of striking martial arts. The mere fact that they appeared together on the same card is just mind-blowing. If ONE Championship’s aim is to introduce these striking legends to the world, it has certainly achieved its goal early on.

Needless to say, both Petrosyan and Gaiyanghadao lived up to their billing and turned in inspiring performances. For the first time in history, an audience the magnitude of ONE Championship’s 1.7 billion potential viewers in over 136 countries worldwide were able to witness the greatness of these athletes.

And there’s much more to come. Names such as Lerdsila, Yodsaenklai Fairtex, Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, and Singtongnoi Por Telakun have also been announced as having joined ONE Super Series.

By having these monumental figures of striking martial arts, and encompassing multiple styles of martial arts, ONE Championship has effectively become the largest stand-up organization in the world.

Other organizations such as Glory Kickboxing or K-1 offer a similar product. But by having more than one “flavor” of martial arts on its menu, ONE Championship emerges as the undisputed pack leader. And with bigger names to boot, ONE Super Series will continue to draw massive audiences.

The next event to feature ONE Super Series bouts will be ONE: GRIT AND GLORY, which takes place 12 May in Jakarta, Indonesia. This is followed by ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS which happens a week later in Singapore.

Both cards offer a handful of compelling ONE Super Series contests. Singapore in particular will see the first ONE Super Series world champion crowned when Sam-A Gaiyanghadao takes on Sergio “Little One” Wielzen of the Netherlands for the inaugural ONE Super Series Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship.

ONE Championship aims to gradually assimilate ONE Super Series bouts into its cards, and athletes will be able to select from a series of ring and cage rule sets where they wish to compete. This means that kickboxers could move into Muay Thai, or Lethwei, or Sanda, if they wanted to. The flexibility opens up a myriad of possible combinations that should have martial arts enthusiasts salivating.

The invitation is also open to its current roster of mixed martial artists. So it wouldn’t be far-fetched to think of maybe someone like ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon Vera competing under Muay Thai rules against one of these striking legends. It’s a bold step forward in the right direction for ONE Championship, who prides itself in being the ‘Home of Martial Arts’. With ONE Super Series, the promotion certainly lives up to its reputation.

Eventually, the promotion envisions staging standalone ONE Super Series cards in the future. It’s an ambitious project that will take the combined efforts of ONE Championship’s elite team of professionals working behind the scenes to make sure each event is a smashing success. But one, that if it takes off, will turn out to be an idea of pure genius.

At its core, it is a celebration of the purity of striking. For fans who crave the sort of classic action and excitement that will leave them on the edge of their seats, they need look no further than ONE Super Series.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

Legendary Duo Air Supply Takes Santa Rosa in May

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Iconic Australian duo Air Supply takes us back to the 80’s for a special one-night show on 31 May 2018 at the Santa Rosa Sports Coliseum in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. This year’s Philippine concert is the first of several shows part of their Over Asia 2018 Tour following dates all over Canada and the United States.

Still supplying the classic hits 43 years since the release of their debut album, singer-songwriter and guitarist Graham Russell and lead vocalist Russell Hitchcock celebrate their trademark soft rock sound by serenading us once again with their massive catalog of evergreen love songs.

Air Supply began its humble musical journey opening for Rod Stewart back in Australia and eventually across North America and Canada, breaking through a whole new U.S. audience. Subsequent to their fourth studio record, Life Support, was the success of many beloved songs, including “Lost in Love” which unexpectedly rose to Top 10 in Australia. Their refreshing take on soft rock music somehow found its way to the distinguished Arista Records in New York. Immediately after the duo signed with the label, "Lost in Love" became the fastest-selling single in the world, leaping to the top of the charts worldwide. The band’s second single, "All Out of Love," attracted more fans and reigned the charts even longer.

Eight Top 10 hits later, "Lost in Love" was named Song of the Year in 1980, and, with the other singles, sold more than 10 million copies.

Russell Hitchcock's soaring tenor voice and Graham Russell's pure yet majestic lyrics have created a warm signature sound that would live on for a very long time.

Other hits of Air Supply areMaking Love Out of Nothing at All, The One That You Love, Here I Am, Two Less Lonely People, Every Woman In the World, Sweet Dreams, I Can Wait Forever, Lonely Is the Night, Having You Near Me, to name a few.

(Air Supply Live in Santa Rosa is produced by Ovation Productions. Tickets available via www.smtickets.comand regular SM Tickets outlets. Ticket Prices are P4,500/ P3,500/ P2,500/ P1,500. For info call SM Tickets +632 470-2222 or Ovation Productions +632 532-8883.)

Proving Doubters Wrong is Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol’s Specialty

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Over the past decade, women’s mixed martial arts rose from relative obscurity to noticeable heights that many could not fathom in such a short span of time.

The once male-dominated sport has been infiltrated by women equipped with equal prowess to engage in high-testosterone action, at times even with more gusto than their male counterparts.

After years of being told that they “just weren’t good enough” and that there “wasn’t enough girls to form a legitimate bracket”, women are finally gracing the biggest stage of the sport.

Despite the rise to prominence of female competitors from different parts of the globe, many households in Asia still keep a conservative stance in viewing women as part of the constantly-evolving sport.

When Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol tells her friends or neighbors about how she makes a living, she gets more than a few quizzical looks.

Some are legitimately thrilled about her professional martial arts career, but many more, like her family members, believe that she should quit.

“Some friends are excited. But some just have questions like, ‘When will you stop? It is better to get another job rather than competing, because of your age.’ My family is very concerned for my safety,” she bared.

Gaol has been battling negative reputation of women’s participation in combat sports since she started training various striking disciplines such as kickboxing and Wushu at a young age.

Even though she brought home pride and glory to her country by becoming an international Wushu champion, the aforementioned undesirable perception had not left her.

Directing her career path to mixed martial arts over a year ago, Gaol explained that seeing a woman succeed in a sport wholly dominated by men for the past 25 years is just an example of what is possible.

“I would like to continue this campaign for everyone who doesn't understand the beauty of this sport. Martial arts is not about fighting. Its real aim is to empower both men and women. We’ve already seen what women can do inside the cage or ring. It’s a high time to unleash our full potential in this sport,” she asserted.

While it has declined inch-by-inch, Gaol pointed out that women’s role in mixed martial arts still needs to be consistently promoted and encouraged for the stigma to totally diminish.

“It needs more opportunity. I think that there are young girls who are probably interested in getting into it, and we need support from men and women to encourage and let them go to the gym,” she conveyed.

After going through a shaky start in ONE Championship, Gaol is in now making a name as an atomweight contender in the organization.

The 29-year-old native of Jakarta, Indonesia has won two-straight matches, defeating Audreylaura Boniface via first-round stoppage last January before submitting Filipina newcomer Krisna Limbaga a month later.

“When you have been through failure, you will have more confidence next time,” she said. “I am not the type of person who lacks a view of the future. Some people will lose the ability to fight once they lose, but I do not.”

“Once I fail, it gives me a different view of myself. It is like a mirror, where I can see clearly about many things, and I think that has made me a stronger person,” Gaol added.

Gaol looks to keep the momentum rolling as she is slated to square off with Filipina standout Rome Trinidad on the undercard of ONE: GRIT AND GLORY, which is set for 12 May at the Jakarta Convention Center in Indonesia.

Despite having the momentum going into her next assignment, she remains on her toes to bring her “A” game each and every time she sets foot inside the cage.

“I always learn from a loss,” she reflected. “Losing is a bitter pill, but it can be our best friend sometimes. It makes us feel bad, but at the same time, it lets us know what to do next time, so we can be better.”

There is plenty of ambition fueling her grind, including a shot at the coveted ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship.

Although Gaol acknowledges that it will take more time and more experience to achieve her dream, she seeks to exemplify the utmost confidence of a woman on a global stage at ONE: GRIT AND GLORY.

“I love it when I defy odds and prove my doubters wrongs. I am here for a reason. Someday, I will be a world champion. And I will use that platform to create more opportunities for women and my countrymen,” she concluded.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

National Artist Napoleon Abueva Receives Award at DPC-PLDT Visual Arts Competition

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The late National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon V. Abueva was honored with a special tribute by Directories Philippines Corporation (DPC) and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) during the awarding ceremony of the DPC-PLDT Visual Arts Competition 32 (VAC 32) held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines recently. DPC and PLDT presented a special plaque of appreciation for the late national artist to Dr. Sergia Abueva, the National Artist’s widow and his daughter, Amihan Abueva. Dean Abueva, who passed away on February 16, 2018, helped establish the foundation for the VAC, along with deans of other Fine Arts schools in the Philippines. 

As part of the tribute, replicas of the original trophy designed by Dean Abueva in 1990 were given to the schools of the top three winners of VAC 32. Above, DPC Chief Operating Officer Arturo Diago (left), founding VAC Project Director Fred Amat, and long-time VAC Coordinator of PLDT Robert Sarte present the award to Dr. Sergia Abueva and Amihan Abueva. 

Fittingly, too, the unique ceramic trophies for each of the VAC 32 major prize winners had been designed by Lanelle Abueva-Fernando, niece of the late National Artist.

Three Amazing Endemic Animals Of The Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines has always been considered an oasis for nature lovers from across the globe, with a plethora of islands and rainforests appealing to those who wish to de-stress and reconnect with Mother Earth. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the tourism direct gross value added to the GDP is estimated at an impressive 8.6 percent. With 7,641 islands to tempt sea lovers (including Palawan, frequently topping prestigious Best Island lists from across the globe), the Philippines also boasts a rich biodiversity, with an array of sea and land animals fascinating the scientific community and tourists alike. Unfortunately, some of these creatures are in danger of being wiped out, and they need to be protected before it's too late. Here are three fascinating Pinoy animals which are in danger of extinction.

The Mindoro Crocodile

If you’ve ever heard a Mindoro croc hiss, then you know it’s an eerie experience that stays with you for a lifetime. Of course, the Mindoro crocodile isn’t the Philippines’ most famed reptile. That honor goes to Lolong, an ancient crocodile who defied the odds by living to the ripe old age of 50, dying only because he was hunted and kept in captivity. The Mindoro crocodile is a small freshwater crocodile with a broad snout and a thick bony armor. Although once found in abundance throughout the Philippines, it is now in danger of extinction. In 2013, around 36 captive crocs were released into the wild on Siargao Island, in an attempt to boost the population.

The Negros Bleeding Heart

This bird exists only on the islands of Negros and Panay. It feeds on the ground rather than in flight, making it easy prey for poachers. Its most characteristic trait is a small scarlet patch in the middle of it feathery white breast. Its crown is covered in emerald green tufts, and its inner wing bears touches of grey. Continued deforestation and hunting are endangering the beauty of this stunningly hued bird. Similar birds in Mindoro, Luzon, Mindanao, and Sulu are under similar threats. Conservation efforts include captive breeding; the first successful captive breeding of the Negros Bleeding Heart occurred in the CenTop zoological and botanical garden. These birds continue to be bred in captivity as are other native animals such as the Philippine Eagle.

The Philippine Forest Turtle

Located on the serene Palawan islands, this turtle, also known as the Palawan Turtle or the Leyte pond turtle, is under the protection of several conservation programs to increase numbers and protect it against the actions of poachers. Exploitation and habitat destruction are its two main threats. Thankfully, scientists at the Philippine Freshwater Turtle Conservation Programme are working hard to breed turtles in captivity, protect freshwater habitats and promote sustainable development in priority areas, and assist in the enforcement of laws and dissemination of information.

A country with such a lush forest and sea life logically has given rise to a plethora of beautiful species. As is the case in other parts of the world, many endemic species are at risk of extinction owing in no small part to the loss of their habitats. Conservation efforts are being carried out across the country to save one of the most invaluable jewels of this Pacific country: its animals.