DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Like blossoming bilateral ties, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to name a young female Philippine Eagle after his nation’s most popular floral attraction.
“Sakura” – Japanese for cherry blossom – will be formally named during ceremonies today at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao where he will also meet with local business leaders.
Based on official information, President Duterte will be joining Abe in the ceremonies, during which enlarged photos of the juvenile Philippine Eagle will be put on display for the event.
The naming of the Philippine Eagle that the Japanese government has adopted is part of the itinerary of Abe while in this city.
Abe arrived in Manila yesterday afternoon and was accorded state honors and a dinner later in the evening at Malacañang before flying here last night for the second day of his Philippine visit.
The name Sakura, a Japanese flowering cherry tree, was chosen by officials for the young Philippine Eagle that was rescued last month at the foot of the Pantaron Range, along the boundaries of Talaingod town in Davao del Norte and San Francisco in Bukidnon, as a tribute to Japan.
The giant raptor is now kept at the Philippine Eagle Center in Barangay Malagos, Calinan District, this city, which is run by the non-profit Philippine Eagle Foundation.
Sakura is among 37 Philippine Eagles being kept at the Malagos Center.
According to PEF executive director Dennis Salvador, the young Philippine Eagle, estimated to be more or less two years old, was rescued after she suffered a bullet wound in her lower left abdomen caused by an air gun.
The bird weighed 5.2 kilograms, which was highly suggestive of her being female when she was found last month.
The giant raptor was discovered standing on the banks of a river by Ata Manobos, who were night hunting for frogs in the area. The young eagle was allegedly docile and did not resist capture.
The juvenile female was then turned over to a PEF team last month through Talaingod Mayor Basilio Libayao.