In the concrete jungle

CEBU, Philippines - In the concrete jungle of downtown Cebu City, where huge buildings occupy most spaces, wild birds manage to exist.

In a rare occasion, two bird species were spotted perching on the branches of trees growing on the riverbanks of the Pari-an Estero in Barangay Sto. Niño, Cebu City.

The Freeman photojournalist Kristine Joyce Campaña was able to take photos of the birds, a White-Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus Chloris) and Black Shama (Copsychus Cebuensis) last Tuesday.

DENR spokesperson Dr. Eddie Llamedo said these birds have no choice but to go to urban areas, like Cebu City, since their homes in the wild may have already been disturbed.

According to the website, beautyofbirds.com, the white-collared kingfisher is commonly found in coastal areas, particularly in mangrove swamps. It also inhabits in farmland, open woodland, grassland and gardens. In some parts of its range, particularly on islands, it can be found further inland, ranging into forest or into mountain areas. These birds are often perched on wires, rocks or bare branches.

The Black Shama bird (Copsychus Cebuensis) is endemic to Cebu. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, and plantations. It has been sighted in several locations all across the island, the most important sites being the Central Cebu Protected Landscape, the forests of Alcoy and Argao, and the shrublands of Casili, Consolacion. It is threatened by habitat loss.

With this, Llamedo cited some reasons why fauna, such as these birds, can migrate from upland or timberlands to urban areas like Cebu.

“Disturbed ang area meaning basin naa na’y mga tawo na pulihan na sila, kuwang og food, ang physical environment is dili na favorable sa iyaha so mao nang mubalhin sila,” he explained.

Thus, DENR-7 reminds the public not to collect or hunt down immigrant animals as such act is punishable under Republic Act 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

Despite of the birds’ migration to urban areas in search for comfort and food, Llamedo said this is just transient since it is not their natural habitat and the birds will eventually go back to the forest.

On the other hand, registered wildlife animals were also affected by the extreme heat of El Niño.

“Naay mga related gamay (diseases). So far, wala pa ta’y report nga nag ingon nga atong mga wildlife species nga naa sa mga permit holders affected by the El Niño, but eventually, ‘duna jud sya’y effect,” Llamedo said, as they had their monthly inventory with wMagellan’s arrival to turn half a century

The 500th anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival in Cebu will be celebrated in 2021, and a group is now preparing for the  activities that will lead to the  commemoration of the historic event.

The University of San Carlos, in partnership with Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation Inc., unveiled the official logo of Magellan Quincentennial on Wednesday afternoon at the BPI Museum Library.

A 500-page book entitled “Ferdinand Magellan:The Armada de Maluco and the European Discovery of the Philippines” was also launched on the same day. The book is written by Dr. Danilo Gerona, a Jesuit scholar and a Filipino historian.

Gerona said the book is the product of a 10-year research in various archives in Spain wherein he also spent almost 10 years studying 15th century Spanish words.

He added that the book is a comprehensive discussion about Magellan and changes a lot of misconception about the explorer.

“It would change a lot of your understanding of history from what have been taught to us in school,” he said.

He also shared that funding, along with how to read and interpret Spanish language and handwritings during the Age of Discovery, was among the challenges he faced in writing the book. The book is now available at the USC Press and costs P700 as a launching price. However, Gerona said the price might increase as it becomes available in the market.

Apart from this book, Gerona is also working on a project with USC Press to write about early Cebu and Juan Sebastian del Cano, the first Spanish explorer who completed the first circumnavigation of the Earth. He also plans to write about Camilo de Polavieja, the one who executed Dr. Jose Rizal.

Last year, some 4,000 archives about Cebu which were digitally photographed by USC Vice President Fr. Generoso Rebayla Jr. and USC professor Dr. Jojo Bersales were turned over to the Cebuano Studies Center. The turnover was witnessed by the director of National Archives of the Philippines, Victorino “Ino” Manalo.

“We made it available to the public through the USC Press in Talamban, especially for those who want to access,” said Dr. Bersales.

In line with Magellan Quincentennial, a series of conference, symposium, articles and books are to be expected in the next five years as part of the preparations. — (FREEMAN)