Thursday: Philippine Eagle Center & Muslim Village

Beginning the day at the Philippine Eagle Center enabled Nichia and I to learn so much about the area's raptors and the conservation practices required to protect each species. As a chemistry teacher, I was really along for the ride with the biologists. Not only is the center home to a number of Philippine Eagles, including Viggo - the star of the 1000 peso bill - we also saw a number of different owls, monkeys, and crocodiles. This was truly an experience to witness; as we walked through the Center's gorgeous grounds, we were able to feel the vast biodiversity of the rainforest and truly understand why the protection of the Philippines' natural beauty is so integral to the land and to the people.

Some of the biggest proponents of conservation and environmental justice in the region are the indigenous people. With 13 tribes throughout Mindanao, 11 of which populate Davao City itself, movements to return from the land are widespread. This is especially important as the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world; suffering from typhoons, earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions, the Filipino peoples are no stranger to the impacts of climate change.

One of the most important proponents of environmental conservation are the Tausug people. Historically known for their bravery, ingenuity in design, and prowess in battle, Tausug translates to "people of the current". This group is known as sailors and fisherpeople and originates in the Sulu archipelago in southernmost Mindanao. This group is also one of Mindanao's Muslim indigenous groups, and we were fortunate enough to schedule a meeting with Tausug representatives in Davao in the city's Muslim Village.

During this meeting, we learned about the group's religious history and Islamic tradition, along with the struggles faced by the people under the Philippines' Catholic majority. Historically the seat of trade in the country, Sulu became extremely economically depressed after the United States re-routed major trade instead through Manila in the north. This led to the region producing Islamic rebel groups, such as the Moro National Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyef Group. Both groups were responsible for a number of kidnappings, bombings, and other violent maritime attacks in the quest for an independent Mindanao up until this year. Many within the Tausug tribe, like the community representatives above, work tirelessly to increase access to education and economy in the region and reduce the chance of fundamentalist groups resurfacing.

While much of the education is focused on Islam, a huge portion is centered around maintaining Tausug traditions like stewardship of the natural land. Working throughout the region, many members of the Tausug tribe focus on maintaining healthy fish populations and restoring areas damaged by rampant deforestation. Home to many copper, gold, and other reserves, Mindanao also experiences some of the most widespread damage due to mining and corporate influence.

Both the Philippine Eagle Center and the Tausug tribe are doing their best to combat the damage done to the biodiversity of the region because of these external players, making both their on-the-ground and political work extremely important. It was a privilege to spend the day learning from both groups, and I am excited to continue the conversation around sustainable practices in the future.